Teamwork name of the game for these girls
Just a few weeks into the girls basketball season, and all appears to be on track.
Geneva's Taylor Whitley is picking up where she left off, as is Rosary's Victoria Alvarez, two of the best guards in the area.
But the thing I've liked most about these two this year is how absolutely unselfish they are.
Once again, both are leading their respective teams in -- assists.
That's right. The girls who usually lead the team in scoring are passing and getting their teammates involved.
Whitley, last year's Tri-Cities all-area captain, is averaging 4.8 assists per game next to her 17.8 points per game. She recently past the 1,000-point mark in her career. Perhaps she would have done that sooner if she wasn't so concerned with sharing the ball?
No one can tell for sure, but Geneva coach Gina Nolan acknowledges Whitley's unselfish style.
"It's always been a big part of her game," Nolan said. "That's a compliment to her and what a team player she really is. Her teammates respect her so much for that."
Alvarez is at a whopping 6.7 assists per game, which is probably why she is third on the Royals in scoring at 8.3 points a game. Her best outings in assists were 11 against Marian and 10 against IMSA.
"(Alvarez' teammates) know to be very ready for the ball," Rosary coach Dave Beebe said. "They are actually surprised if they don't get the ball. Sometimes we wish she'd be more selfish with the ball, but she just won't do that."
It makes sense these two are leading their teams in assists. After all, they are the ones their opponents are keying in on, so they have to kick it out to other players who can make the basket.
"It definitely helps to get everyone involved," Nolan said.
Whitley isn't the only one dishing. Both newcomer Emily Hinchman and senior Lindsay Templeman are averaging 2.6 assists a game.
West Aurora is another unselfish team. The Blackhawks have five players -- Devin Vaughn, Tyronza McGowan, Bri Tye, Kyra Watson and Kiara Towles -- who are all averaging 2 or more assists a game.
It's the type of thing coach Connie Siljendahl is really enjoying this year.
"Our whole team chemistry is different this year," she said. "They really like each other, and (sharing the ball) has a lot to do with it. They are trying to please each other this year."
Tye leads the pack with her 4.3 assists per game, but McGowan is close behind with 3 a game.
"They (like it) because I challenge them with who can be our assist leader," Siljendahl said. "That proves they are looking for their teammates."
St. Charles North is right up there with West Aurora in the fact that team chemistry has been improved, thanks to passing.
The North Stars' three main guards -- Nika Sircher, Anna Conrad and Kiley Hackbarth -- are all doing what they are supposed to be doing, which is distributing the ball.
Sircher and Conrad are at 3 assists per game with Hackbarth at 2.5 a game.
"It shows how well we are working as a team," St. Charles North coach Katie Sauber said. "It's a good sign all the guards are contributing."
Passing is one of the top things that has improved with the North Stars since last year.
"A lot of our turnovers were from poor passing, so it's something we've focused on," Sauber said.
Unselfishness. Teamwork. Team chemistry. These are all good things guided to make this girls basketball season that much more enjoyable.
cbolin@dailyherald.com