Libertyville’s Lauren Huber is starting to get comfortable — with her offensive game.
The junior guard has been known for her relentless in-your-face defense in the North Suburban Conference.
But Huber has become a go-to threat for the Wildcats this season, both on the perimeter and on drives to the basket. Huber’s improved scoring ability is a main factor in the Wildcats’ rise up the rankings.
She scored 10 points and had nine rebounds and two blocked shots in Libertyville’s 53-40 North Suburban victory over Stevenson on Tuesday.
Heralded freshman guard Emily Fisher had a team-high 15 points, six rebounds and four steals for the Wildcats (19-4, 9-1). Junior guard Marianna Morrissey, a last-minute starter for injured senior Abigail Frea, had a stellar night with 10 points and eight boards.
Sophomore guard Simone Sawyer scored a team-high 15 points for Stevenson (20-7, 6-4).
Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen said Huber’s rapid development on the offensive end is a key factor in the Wildcats’ winning streak, which has reached 15.
“She can now score on her own,” he said. “She’s always been, since freshman year, a key cog in our defense. She’s continued to work on her offensive game.
“Between the crossover and step-back and spin moves, she’s able to get quality shots for us. … It’s fun to watch her develop, and more colleges are going to come calling for her.”
Huber, who has an offer from Eastern Illinois, put her offensive game on display in the fourth quarter. She and Fisher took over the ballhandling duties in the half-court to break open a close game. Off a missed free throw, Huber canned a step-back 3-pointer from the wing to cap a 7-0 run that gave the Wildcats a 47-35 lead.
Huber, also a standout soccer player, said she put an emphasis on improving her shooting and ballhandling in the offseason. She showed her comfort with the ball late against the Patriots, crossing over defenders with a hesitation move and attacking the basket.
“I’ve been practicing a lot with my dad,” Huber said. “He’s really helped me get my shot down. I just feel more comfortable shooting the ball. I know in past years they haven’t really been going in. With (our team) having such great shooters, I can be another threat, and it helps. Who are (teams) going to guard?”
Growing up: Sawyer made a splash by putting up big numbers as a freshman last season. She has grown through the normal ups and downs in Year 2, but her solid play led the Patriots to an eight-game winning streak that was snapped Tuesday.
Sawyer scored all of her 15 points in the second and third quarters against the Wildcats. Senior Avery King finished with 14 points, six rebounds and five blocks.
“(Simone) is having a great year,” Stevenson coach Ashley Graham said. “She’s been doing a tremendous job, such a gifted athlete. Her first step is so-so quick. She had a really nice game tonight. It’s night and day. Her ability to handle the basketball has gotten better. Her outside shot has gotten better — and her finishing around the rim. She’s really honed in and worked fundamentally.”
Lakers fan: In the heart of Chicago Bulls territory, Pedersen is a rare high school coach with an allegiance to the Los Angeles Lakers’ purple and gold. Pedersen even carries around a Lakers lanyard keychain in his pocket during games.
“I watch Laker games on TV regularly,” Pedersen said. “There are lots of students at Libertyville who are Laker fans, and it provides a good way to bond and talk about a shared passion.”
He said Lakers great Kobe Bryant, who died with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, “had the ‘wow’ factor that made basketball exciting.”
“But what I talked to my team about was the time and effort he put in to becoming great,” Pedersen said. “My favorite Kobe quote was that it’s not enough to put in hours of practice; you have to put in hours of practice with a focused mind. Without that, you’re not getting better, and that’s a great lesson for youth basketball players.”
More Top Picks Best Chick Brooders
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.