When Juliana Paddock graduated in 2020 from Century Junior High, she had a varsity spot waiting for her as a freshman at Sandburg.
An injury to her left knee put that thought on hold.
In the spring, the 6-foot forward filled out the stat sheet from a seat on the bench. She also made the most of it.
“It was actually cool to still be there and be a part of it,” Paddock said. “It was interesting to observe and see things from a different point of view. It kept me entertained.”
Sandburg coach Nick Fotopoulos sees the day coming when Paddock fills up the stat sheet at will.
“She’s going to be a big part of our team going forward,” Fotopoulos said. “The sky’s the limit for her. We’re glad that she has been able to get her feet wet this season.”
Paddock has been a valuable contributor off the bench this season for the Eagles (19-9), averaging 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 14 minutes per game.
“This past year she has put in some awesome work,” Fotopoulos said. “She wasn’t cleared in the summer, but she was at our practices and got work in. She was finally cleared for contact coming right up to the season.
“She had a great start, and she has done a really good job coming in off the bench. She’s working hard to be the player that we think she’s going to be.”
Paddock suffered a torn meniscus and ACL during a fall scrimmage in 2020.
“I think I pushed the ball out too far and planted wrong,” Paddock said. “I was lucky to be able to have surgery right away.
“There was a lot of strength training. I was always anxious to get back, but they told me not to rush it. I’m glad I waited the nine months because I’m fine now.”
Paddock also is learning leadership from seven seniors.
“I’m family friends with Erin O’Connor,” Paddock said. “She was always encouraging. Since she had been a freshman on the varsity, she kind of knew what I went through.
“She was always there for me. This whole group of seniors are making this a great team to be a part of. I’m so glad that I got at least one year with them.”
Mighty rally: Mother McAuley pulled off a dramatic comeback Saturday in the championship game of the GCAC Red Tournament.
Trailing by three points with a minute remaining, the Mighty Macs rallied to defeat Montini 39-36.
Call it an upset? McAuley coach Keisha Newell isn’t.
“Nope, I won’t say it,” Newell said. “I’ll just say it was a testament to hard work paying off. We’re a young team, figuring out how to win down the stretch.
“I think our tough schedule really prepared us for games like this.”
The comeback was keyed by a left-handed layup from Bella Finnegan. Morgan Feil added two free throws. Finnegan finished with 15 points and Feil had 11.
The win was the fifth in a row for the Mighty Macs (16-9), who finished third in the GCAC Red during the regular season.
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Title time: Stagg scored one of its biggest victories in several seasons Thursday, defeating Lincoln-Way Central 60-50.
The Chargers (21-8, 7-1) have clinched at least a tie for the title in the SouthWest Suburban Red. Lincoln-Way Central (18-8, 6-1) will finish its conference season with a Tuesday game against Lincoln-Way West.
Stagg last won a conference championship in 2012-13.
“Obviously, to go to your last conference game on the road and have to play there on their senior night, it was all or nothing for us,” Stagg coach Bill Turner said. “We had to win, and they came up big.”
The Chargers led by just two at halftime, but broke the game open in the third quarter.
Senior Laila Barakat finished with a career-high 32 points. Gail Korbitz added 14 and Amelia Sanchez had eight.
Barakat also was a standout for Stagg in a 72-68 conference win against Lincoln-Way West. The 5-foot-5 guard totaled 25 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists and nine steals.
“Laila probably played the finest two games I’ve seen her play in her four years,” Turner said. “She was huge against Lincoln-Way West when it mattered and now this one against Central. Just a tremendous effort.”