Numbers look good again for Fremd with Hopkins, Lewis back in action

Their names are spelled differently but pronounced the same.

And both have made a pronounced difference as the only three-year starters for Fremd's highly-ranked girls basketball team, which was second in the Class 4A state finals last season.

Bryana Hopkins and Brianna Lewis, whose favorite subject is math, are returning from the winningest team in Fremd history and they hope this season adds up to another long and successful one.

Hopkins' parents are in the financial and statistical fields, thus her interest in the subject.

Lewis enjoys math because "I like to have to think out things."

Opposing teams will have to do a lot of thinking on ways to stop Lewis, Hopkins and the rest of the Vikings' lineup, which also includes future top college prospects Erin Lenahan (Division II Maryville University) and Grace Tworek, who has committed to Harvard.

Hopkins signed her letter of intent with Northwestern, where she committed as a junior to play for coach Joe McKeown. He has the Wildcats coming off a season that saw a top-25 ranking and NCAA tournament bid for the first time since 1996-97.

Lewis signed her letter of intent with Texas Southern in Houston, Texas, where she plans to study law enforcement. Lewis will play for the 2015 Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Johnetta Hayes-Perry, who led the program to its third consecutive post-season appearance.

Before they begin their collegiate careers, Hopkins and Lewis want to finish up strong in their high school careers.

"We are all trying to be leaders," said Hopkins, who started as a freshman at Barrington before transferring to Fremd for her sophomore campaign. "Most of us are returners to the varsity so we all know we have to step up and push each other."

Hopkins was watching the Mid-Suburban League championship game three years ago when Lewis hit the game-winning 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer.

The shot from the left side of the arc gave the Vikings a dramatic win over Rolling Meadows, which would go on to finish second in the Class 4A state tourney for two straight seasons.

"It's crazy," Lewis said, thinking back at her big shot as a freshman who came off the bench. "It was such a difference that season trying to adjust to everything as a freshman. Now for my senior year we've all played together for a while and kind of know what to expect."

The Vikings know they have to expect opponents to give their best shot.

"We'll always have to be at the top of our game," Hopkins said. "It's hard, because we know we can't slip up. Teams will be coming after us."

"It's exciting," Lewis added. "It makes us want to play harder."

At 6-foot-2, Hopkins works hard inside to get rebounds and in position for her jump shot.

At 5-foot-3, Lewis is quick and all over the floor, capable of the big assists, steal or cat-like sweep to the hoop.

"They both love basketball," said Fremd coach Dave Yates, who happens to be a math teacher at Fremd but never had Hopkins or Lewis in class. "They are kids always working on their games year round. There isn't a day that goes by when they're not in the gym working on getting better."

The two actually played against each other in AAU ball prior to high school. They officially met as sophomores at Fremd when the school's all-time leading scorer Haley Gorecki was a junior.

Gorecki graduated last year after leading the Vikes to their first downstate appearance since 1989 and finishing her career with 2,127 points, the second most in school history behind Maggie Fontana.

"We've definitely been adjusting to playing without her," Hopkins said. "We miss her. We know a lot of other people will have to step up and take on larger roles."

"Without Haley, it's different," Lewis said. " I had a good connection with her. We pushed each other. Now it's a different atmosphere. But I think we are adjusting well."

"You don't replace Haley Gorecki," Yates said. "Our kids realize that and have worked very hard this summer making sure everyone can contribute more."

Last season, Hopkins contributed 10.2 ppg, 6 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.2 assists.

"Bryana had a very good summer," Yates said. "She played very well in June with her high school team and in the summer on the national stage vs. top AAU teams. I think she really opened some people's eyes on the national circuit."

Lewis averaged 8.3 ppg, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals as a junior.

"It seems like Bri has been at Fremd forever," Yates said. "She has worked tirelessly at improving her shot and still remains one of the toughest kids to guard one on one in the MSL."

Now seniors, Hopkins and Lewis are hoping to go out in style in the MSL, where they have won two of the last three years' titles.

"We're just looking forward to a great season and a great experience of hard work and dedication," Lewis said.

"I'm looking forward to spending time with my team," Hopkins said. "And our trip to Florida."

The Vikings are headed to the Naples Holiday Shootout to face some of the top teams in the country in December.

Fremd will also face five-time Missouri state champion Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis) in its own Chicagoland Invitational Showcase on Dec. 5. That tourney will also have a set of games on Jan. 9 when the Vikings will face a top power from Milwaukee.

"We play another very tough schedule," Yates said. "I know our schedule will prepare us for the post season."

And you can count on Hopkins and Lewis being ready.