Story and photos by Dominic Baima

The Mattoon Girls basketball team picked up its fifth straight win with a 64-28 rout of Olney on Monday night.

Olney won the jump ball to start the game and quickly scored to put them up 2-0. Olney would keep Mattoon from getting on the board for the next two minutes of play until Mattoon senior Chloe Pruitt was fouled on a lay-up attempt and made both of her free throws.

Mattoon’s full-court press would allow the Green Wave to steal or pick off Olney’s passes for the next five plays to keep Olney from crossing the half and putting the Green Wave ahead, 12-2.

Mattoon (23-2) would go on to score 23 points before Olney could score again.

Olney started the third quarter with some much-needed defensive rebounds and an adjustment to their defense to attempt to slow the Green Wave down. It wasn’t enough, with Mattoon taking the time to find the open player and continuing to extend their lead.

Every Mattoon player who entered the game scored.

“It’s always great when everyone scores, we did a great job moving the ball on offense to find the open person,” said MHS coach Amanda Aydt. “I’m so proud of our defense. We’ve been working on it in practice, and we had two really good days of practice. I thought it paid off.”

Senior Chloe Pruitt takes a shot Monday during Mattoon’s 64-28 win over Olney. Pruitt scored 10 points in the win. (Photo/Dominic Baima)
Mattoon Senior Faith Niebrugge takes a shot Monday. Niebrugge scored six points in the win. (Photo/Dominic Baima)
Mattoon Head Coach Amanda Aydt talks with the team Monday during a time out. (Photo/Dominic Baima)
Mattoon Sophomore Piper Sanders drives the ball past Olney Sophomore Rylee Bloomer. Sanders scored two points in the win Monday. (Photo/Dominic Baima)
Mattoon Sophomore Emily Maple takes a shot Monday during Mattoon’s 64-28 win over Olney. Maple scored 5 points in the win. (Photo/Dominic Baima)
Mattoon Sophomore Teygen Sewell takes a shot Monday during Matton’s win over Olney. (Photo/Dominic Baima)
Senior Mallory Ramage takes a shot Monday during Mattoon’s 64-28 win over Olney. Ramage led the Green Wave in scoring with 26 points. (Photo/Dominic Baima)

Senior Mallory Ramage led the Green Wave in scoring with 26 points. Pruitt added 10 and junior Lily Ghere had nine.

The Green Wave travel to Taylorville on tonight before facing Mt. Zion at home on Friday for Senior Night.

Find additional photos from this game here.

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MATTOON: Ghere 4 0-0 9, Maple 1 2-2 5, Sanders 1 0-0 2, Pruitt 4 2-2 10, Jurka 0 2-4 2, Farmer 1 0-0 2, Niebrugge 3 0-0 6, Ramage 11 2-2 26, Sewell 1 0-0 2. Totals 26 8-10 64. 3-Pointers – Ghere 1, Maple 1, Ramage 2.