According to Makayla Stadler, soccer is her best sport.
But basketball isn’t far behind.
The Glenbrook South freshman was a force for the Titans in their two Class 4A New Trier Sectional games, and she figures to be a fixture in the program’s future.
In the Titans’ win over top-seeded New Trier, the baiduhai’s No. 9-ranked team, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, the 5-foot-6 guard had seven points, four rebounds and three steals. She added a team-best 11 points and three steals in a 39-23 loss to third-seeded and No. 3 Trinity on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Stadler said the sectional games were the highlights of her season.
“I kind of just knew they were a big deal, so I knew I had to play my best for the team,” said Stadler, who started both games in Winnetka.
Glenbrook South coach Steve Weissenstein said Stadler’s progress throughout the season suggested she was ready to play at a high level.
“She has become more and more comfortable as the season has gone on, but (Tuesday) was by far her best performance,” he said. “Her defense in the first quarter really got us going. She is a terrific defender and can really take the ball to the basket. She has really worked hard on her shot and is becoming a better outside shooter.”
Stadler’s performances earned her praise from opposing players and coaches. Trinity coach Mike Valente said Stadler definitely was part of his team’s game plan.
“She’s explosive going to the basket, and defensively, she’s a nightmare,” he said. “We didn’t want to let her get into our passing lanes. We made sure to fake pass a lot on her. She has great instincts for the game. I’m jealous she’s not on my team.”
Stadler, who scored all four of her team’s points in the fourth quarter, played nearly the entire game on Thursday, Feb. 25. She finally went to the bench with the rest of the starters with 1:06 remaining in the game.
Glenbrook South assistant coach Scott Nemecek said Stadler reminds him of Jannelle Flaws, a former Titans star athlete who graduated in 2010. Like Stadler, soccer was Flaws’ primary sport, and Flaws went on to play at Illinois. But Flaws also played four seasons of basketball at Glenbrook South.
“We told her (Stadler) playing both is something she can do,” Nemecek said. “It can be done.”
Stadler plays club soccer for Northfield-based FC United. Tournaments in Arizona, Florida and North Carolina caused her to miss practices and games this season and cut down on her playing time with the Titans (25-6). But she worked her way back into the starting lineup by the postseason.
“I’ve been playing both my whole life,” said Stadler, a forward/midfielder who plans to play soccer for the Titans in the spring. “I always thought I would do both in high school.”
Her athleticism was evident in the two games at New Trier. She seemed like the fastest player on the court in both games, and her quick first step allowed her to get to the basket almost at will. She said her perimeter shooting needs work, but she made one 3-pointer and a 19-foot 2-pointer against Trinity.
“She’s going to be a fantastic player,” Valente said. “She already is. But she has a leg up on girls who are her age.”
Matt Harness co-hosts a golf podcast called Teeing Off. Find it on Twitter (@Teeing__Off
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