Arnold-Smith rivalry will continue
With a potential conference championship hanging in the balance, Thursday's game in Roselle could be the biggest-ever meeting between Lake Park senior Samantha Arnold and her counterpart Kelsey Smith from St. Charles North.
Two of the best post players in the area playing for the ultimate bragging rights.
Well, at least until next year.
It's purely coincidence, but the two girls who have been friendly rivals in the Upstate Eight for four years will take it to the Big Ten next season, Arnold at Michigan and Smith at Michigan State.
"I found it funny," Arnold said of her reaction when she heard Smith had committed to an in-state rival. "We've always been against each other. It's always nice to go somewhere and see a friendly face."
Arnold figures the girls' first matchup took place in fifth grade, Arnold with the Bloomingdale Blue Devils and Smith on the St. Charles Storm. They have rubbed elbows on the AAU circuit, Arnold with the Chicago Hoops Express and Smith on the Illinois Hustle.
Like most elite players, Smith and Arnold occasionally use 21st century technology to text each other before or after a big game. Arnold wouldn't be surprised if she gets a text over the next couple days.
"We have the highest respect for each other," Arnold said. "On the court it's competitive. Off the court we're friends."
Whatever works: After a 24-point loss at the hands of Wheaton North, Andy Nussbaum was willing to try anything to turn things around.
Switch free throw shooting partners in practice. A lucky neck tie. Anything.
Hold on to that tie, coach.
Since a 2-point loss to Barrington after the Wheaton North meltdown, Nussbaum's Naperville Central Redhawks have run off five straight wins.
The streak, which will be put to the test tonight against Lake Zurich, has pushed the Redhawks' record to 13-9, and at 8-2 in the DuPage Valley Conference a game behind Wheaton North. Until then, taking out the Wheaton North defeat the Redhawks had eight losses by a total of 25 points.
"We're just playing better team basketball," said Nussbaum. "Sooner or later we felt we had to start winning some close games."
Nussbaum attributes many factors to the turnaround - big shots by sophomore guard Emma Ondik, the improved play of posts Emma Donahue and Katherine Tanck. More than anything, he chalks it up to mental toughness that has allowed the Redhawks to rally from slow starts against West Aurora, Wheaton Warrenville South and West Chicago.
"So much of losing close games is just bad habits," Nussbaum said. "Hopefully we've kicked the habit."
Sartorial splendor or not, Nussbaum hasn't switched ties.
Keeping their guard up: West Chicago and Neuqua Valley are two teams that have hovered around .500 all season. But the future looks bright for both teams - and it starts with their young guards.
West Chicago's jump from a 2-25 team last year to this year's 9-11 group is in no small measure due to freshman guards Liz Reyes and Claire Monroe.
Reyes averages 4.7 points per game, but even more significant is her calming presence on the floor.
"She's just as cool as a cucumber," Wildcats coach Kim Wallner said. "Things just don't rattle her."
Wallner would like to see Reyes shoot a little more, but did praise her low assist to turnover ratio. Both girls' defense has improved, and Monroe (6.1 points per game) goes to the basket more and has been hot of late from the perimeter. Playing both at the point has allowed Wallner to move junior Katie Staiton to the wing.
"The biggest difference this year is our guard play," Wallner said. "It's a real nice luxury to have."
Neuqua coach Mike Williams started tinkering with a four-guard lineup after Christmas. With Brittany Williams at the point, freshman Becky Williford has slid over to off guard. She's shooting 35 percent from 3-point range, averaging just under 10 points per game and had 19-point games last week against Resurrection and Bartlett.
"It's given her more opportunities to get some shots that she wouldn't get as a point guard," coach Williams said. "She can really shoot the ball well."
Next year Williford could have to move back to the point, and the development continues. Neuqua also will have sophomore guard Danielle Davis, more a slashing type, back.
"The biggest thing with any young guard," Williams said, "is when people collapse on you, to look for that next pass."
Trojans on the march: No win in DuPage County over the last week was more impressive than Timothy Christian knocking off unbeaten Riverside-Brookfield on the road. The Trojans overcame 25 turnovers and 5-of-14 free throw shooting, scoring the game's last 8 points.
"Staring defeat in the eyes, to finish like that on the road is pretty tough," Trojans coach Ryan DeKoekkoek said.
But maybe not entirely surprising.
Since losing to Newark in the first round of the Lisle Holiday Tournament, Timothy Christian (14-5) has gone 8-0 against in-state teams. A loss to a team from Holland (Mich.) was the lone hiccup.
"The biggest thing with our girls is their confidence has risen," DeKoekkoek said. "We're getting mentally tougher."
The team led by four-year varsity starter Shannon McNeil and fellow seniors Anneke Stremler and Meghan Leach will be put to the test over the next couple weeks. A trip to Wheaton Academy for the Private School League lead this Friday will be followed by a home date with defending PSL champion Walther Lutheran next Friday.
"We reminded the girls at practice today," DeKoekkoek said, "that none of the games are going to get any easier."