Driscoll braces for Classic challenge
If Driscoll keeps things up this winter, the "football school" might start to get recognized for its girls basketball.
Kind of like Kokomo.
The high school an hour north of Indianapolis will be unbeaten Driscoll's opponent on Monday at the 19th Annual McDonald's Classic at Willowbrook High School. The event that also features DuPage County teams Montini, Hinsdale Central, Lake Park and Willowbrook tips off Friday.
Kokomo (8-4) doesn't boast the 16-0 record Driscoll does, but carries plenty of name recognition. The Kats have won three Indiana state championships, most recently in 2003 when Kokomo went 26-0 and won the Class 4A title. Since then they reached the Final Four in 2005 and 2006.
"Playing a school that's had that kind of tradition, it gives our kids great exposure," Driscoll coach Steve McCuiston said. "We've haven't had the opportunity to play in an event like this before. We're looking to at least prove ourselves."
Kokomo, like Driscoll, is a young team, starting all underclassmen led by 6-foot-3 sophomore Kelsey Hopkins. Hopkins averages 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and provides an intriguing matchup for 6-4 Driscoll junior Courtney Lindfors.
"We don't see a lot of centers that see eye-to-eye with Courtney," McCuiston said. "She has a chance to shine against a formidable opponent."
Montini, Hinsdale Central and Lake Park will all get three of their stiffest tests to date.
Montini (16-3), coming off an overtime loss at Driscoll, matches up with Fenwick (14-3). The Friars, who beat Montini two years ago, are led by 6-1 junior guard Tricia Liston. Fellow junior Katlyn Payne, Schaumburg senior Cully Payne's kid sister, is another player to watch.
"Liston is one of the best scorers in the state," Montini coach Jason Nichols said, "and they have other players that play their roles. They'll spread you out, are patient and are wonderful in transition. If you trot against them, you're going to lose."
Hinsdale Central (18-0) will play Marian Catholic (16-3) in a rematch of the 2002 Class AA state championship game won by the Red Devils and current coach Morgan Kasperek.
Toni Kokenis and Co. will have their hands full with this Marian Catholic team led by Notre Dame recruit Kaila Turner and 6-2 Saint Louis recruit Mallory Eggert. Hinsdale Central is in the middle of a 19-day stretch against the likes of Waubonsie Valley, St. Charles North and a Jan. 24 date at Fenwick.
"It's a tough stretch," Kasperek said, "but this is when it's fun. Our goal is to win a state championship. To be the best you have to beat the best."
Lake Park (13-4), coming off an up-and-down 2-3 finish at the Suburban Holiday Showcase, matches up with New Trier at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Trevians (17-2) were under the radar entering the season after going 17-14 last year, but knocked off Marshall and Marian Catholic in November and took second to Fenwick at Dundee-Crown last month.
"When we play to our abilities," Lake Park coach Chris Fruehling said, "we can play with anybody. "
Put it in the books: With 3 points tonight against Elgin, Lake Park senior Samantha Arnold will set the school career scoring record. Arnold (1,904 points) is a basket behind 1994 graduate Kelly Miller (1,906). Arnold set the single-season scoring record of 714 points last year, and her career-high 36 points is the second-best game total in school history.
Fenton senior Samantha Rubright recently became only the second girl in school history to pass 1,000 career points, joining Pam O'Connor. Rubright is also the second all-time in career rebounds to O'Connor.
On the coaching front, Benet's Peter Paul needs one more win to get to 500 wins. His next opportunity will be Friday at Nazareth.
Flying high in Wheaton: It could have a defining moment for the Wheaton North girls basketball team. A double overtime defeat to Elk Grove in the first round of the team's holiday tournament came six days after a equally tough loss to West Chicago on a last-second layup.
Instead, it was a turning point. The Falcons have not lost since the Elk Grove game, going 5-0 with four wins by double figures. Life is good on the north side of town.
"It's hearbreaking when you lose in double overtime," coach Dave Eaton said, "but the girls talked a lot after that game about taking personal responsibility, taking it upon yourself to get the job done."
The resurgence has started on defense. Wheaton North (12-5) has given up 35 points per game during its winning streak, after surrendering over 50 points in all five of its previous games. Eaton said the team has done a fantastic job of ball pressure, containing the dribble, getting in the passing lanes and hitting the defensive glass.
"We've always stressed defense since I've been here," Eaton said, "and the girls have taken that to heart. They've picked up the defensive pressure, and turned defense into offense."
The Falcons' senior core of Madison Goudy, Brooke Olson, Lauren Hoffman, Sarah Carlson and Kat Knoedler have been a steadying presence. Eaton said junior Paige Fowler has "been fantastic" the last three games. Sophomore Lauren Graham has shown improvement at center as the season has progressed and the player to watch in the future is sophomore guard Fantasia Vine.
Flying south for the Winterim: Wheaton Academy, in the middle of the school's two-week Winterim, just made it out of Dodge ahead of Monday's snow storm.
The Warriors will play today in Orlando against The Masters Academy and on Thursday versus First Academy.
In between, the girls and coaches will perform a service project on Wednesday, going to Orlando's Christian Service Center to feed the homeless and volunteer in the center's thrift store. Then on Friday it's off to Disney World before returning home Saturday. Wheaton Academy (14-1) will be back in action in-state next Tuesday against a tough Walther Lutheran team.
"The biggest thing is for some team bonding to take place," said coach Beth Mitchell, "It's a chance to get away from the normal routine and play teams we normally wouldn't see."