Maeve Summerville sprinted down the floor in the third quarter of a game against Carmel on Dec. 27. She was eager to make up for lost time after foul trouble put her on the bench during the mid-afternoon contest at the Warren Blue Devil Classic.
A three-year starter at Lake Forest, the 6-foot-1 Summerville has excellent perimeter skills to go along with her height. She displayed her scoring versatility — from playing with her back to the basket to face-up jumpers — in helping the Scouts storm back from a 16-point deficit in a 45-43 loss to the Corsairs in Gurnee.
Summerville, a junior, finished with 13 points against Carmel and earned all-tournament distinction in leading the Scouts to a 3-2 record and a runner-up finish to Warren. Lake Forest (12-5) played without junior forward Audrey Kaus and sophomore post player Ellie Pearson.
Summerville’s transformation from an outside player to an inside presence enables the Scouts’ attack.
“My freshman year I shot a lot of 3-pointers, and I felt like I was more of an outside player,” she said. “Now I can drive to the basket, shoot and post up.
“I always felt if I just stood (on the perimeter) and shot, it would not really work. I have both. Once I developed the drive, I felt like having the 3 is a really good option.”
As a freshman, she was a role player. Without any seniors on last year’s team, Summerville led the Scouts in scoring.
“We relied on her a lot last year, and that gave us a chance to let her grow,” Lake Forest coach Kyle Wilhelm said.
“She impacts the game in so many ways: scoring, rebounding, and she usually gets a couple of blocks a game. She has an effect on both sides of the floor.”
Halle Douglass stepping up
The holiday tournament season, during which most teams play four or five days in a row, is an opportunity for younger players to step up and show their ability at the varsity level. Freshman Halle Douglass is experiencing a trajectory similar to that of Summerville. At 6-1, she offers size, court vision and an improving knack for the varsity game.
She showcased her abilities against the Corsairs by scoring four points and contributing six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot. She is a natural point guard who makes for an intriguing combination with senior ballhandler Delaney Williams.
Williams, who scored nine points against Carmel, is quick and is at her best pushing the tempo for the Scouts. Douglass provides the Scouts a crucial second option at point guard who can free up Williams to play on the wing.
“In high school, the talent is better and there are more people to get the ball to,” Douglass said. “I can definitely shoot the 3, but mainly I like to drive to the basket. As a point guard, I am used to getting the ball where it is needed.”
Halle and her older sister, Olivia Douglass, a 6-1 forward who played well against Carmel, are the granddaughters of former Bears quarterback Bobby Douglass.
The continued improvement of Halle Douglass is a source of great optimism as the Scouts turn their focus to the second half and battling at the top of the North Suburban Conference.
More Top Picks Batterie
“She leads our team in assists,” Wilhelm said. “Halle can score, but she is more of a pass-first point guard. I know a lot of the other players are happy playing with her.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press