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player ready...LAGRANGE — When Paul Krick interviewed two years ago for the opening as Lyons’ girls basketball coach, Victoria Swift was one of two players who sat in during the first interviews with all the candidates.
Lyons athletic director John Grundke looked to replace Katie Meyers as Lyons’ coach after the 2013 season and Krick was interested in the position. Krick was surprised when Swift and former player Kayla Morrissey sat in with Grundke and assistant A.D. Chris Cabaj.
Swift was a junior at the time and Morrissey, who graduated in 2014, is currently the second leading scorer at Grinnell.
They impressed Krick with their passion for the program.
“I liked hearing from them, not just because they were in on the hiring, but they talked as smart, educated, good basketball players,” he said. “They wanted to make sure it was a good fit for whoever it was (as the new coach). They wanted to win. They wanted to turn the program around. I had two girls on the team that I could count on.”
Swift commands that type of respect around the athletic department at Lyons. She became a four-year varsity player and was one of the Lions’ leading scorers each season.
Opponents also gave her respect. In a 50-45 loss to Fenwick Feb. 18 in the Class 4A Lyons Regional semifinal, Swift was held to six points on 3-for-8 shooting.
But when Fenwick smothered Swift with a gimmick defense, junior guard Nina Scaramella poured in a game-high 20 points, including a career-tying six 3-pointers.
Fenwick was focused on stopping Swift after the senior guard had dropped a season-high 20 points Jan. 19 in their first meeting of the season, a 54-46 Lions victory at the McDonald’s Shootout.
What Krick will miss most is Swift’s leadership. Guard Gaby Galassini and center Hope Miller also were senior starters, but Swift had the longest tenure on the team. She led Lyons to a 10-2 record in the West Suburban Silver and its first conference championship since 2005.
“She adds an element of toughness,” Krick said. “You can see it in her work ethic. It is second to none.”
Krick said Swift spends countless hours working on her shot while using a basketball rebounding machine at the south campus. The rebounder has a net under the basket that collects balls that then are fired back to players for another shot.
While she has an unusual shooting motion off her right shoulder, Swift developed into a reliable scorer.
Swift said one of the highlights of the season was finding out from a teammate that Hinsdale Central lost its final conference game of the season to Proviso West, clinching the title for Lyons.
“That night was awesome finding out,” said Swift, who is talking to Division III programs. “It was super exciting. I will never forget it.
“These were amazing girls (at Lyons). It was so much fun for me. They always have your back no matter what. You win together or you lose together.”
Twitter @geomwilcox
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