Libertyville’s Rachel Rule was just biding her time.
While her twin sister, Kate, scored more points over the years, Rachel Rule focused on other aspects of the game and became a lockdown defender. But the Wildcats had a gaping hole following the graduation of four-year starter Emily Fisher last year.
“Kate always played more of an offensive leading role than me as we were growing up,” Rachel Rule said. “Starting last year, I realized I really had to step it up after Emily graduated. She played such a dominant role on offense.”
Rachel Rule has definitely been stepping up this season. The 5-foot-7 senior guard is averaging 11.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.0 steals for the Wildcats (21-4, 9-2), who are in second place in the North Suburban Conference.
Kate Rule, who is averaging 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.1 steals, isn’t surprised.
“Her game has taken a huge step forward this year,” Kate Rule said. “She’s become a really dynamic scorer while still doing the little things, like rebounding and playing defense. I knew she had the capability to score more.”
Rachel Rule has even put her name in the Libertyville record books, moving past Fisher into fifth place in career 3-pointers made and moving into fifth in career steals.
Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen said he has always encouraged Rachel Rule to shoot, but everything fell into place this season.
“Since sophomore year, Rachel has had the green light to shoot and score,” Pedersen said. “But she’s just improved skill-wise and become physically stronger over the last three years, so her impact on the game is certainly felt this season.”
Indeed, with Rachel Rule scoring more, the Wildcats have surpassed 20 wins for the fifth time in the past five full seasons. She scored 30 points against Carmel on Nov. 16, had 22 points against Marist on Jan. 5 and had 19 points in Libertyville’s conference win against Warren last week.
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“The Carmel game was like, ‘Wow,'” Rachel Rule said. “I felt a lot more confident after that game. I worked on my 3-pointers and midrange shot and also not driving all the way to the hoop.”
Pedersen said Rachel Rule, who averaged 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals last season, plays bigger than her size.
“Her game isn’t flashy,” Pedersen said. “She has a sweet shot, but she craftily attacks the paint with her ballhandling and driving skills. She also rebounds the ball very well, and we’ve always used Rachel to defend other teams’ best guards.”
Regarding Pedersen’s last point, Kate Rule continues to be impressed by Rachel’s defense.
“Rachel brings so much energy, especially on defense,” Kate Rule said. “She plays tenacious defense and guards anybody on the floor.”
This is the Rules’ fourth varsity season and third as starters. They have no plans to play in college.
“This season means so much for Rachel and I to spend our last basketball year on the court together and make the most of it and win as many games as possible,” Kate Rule said. “We’re having a lot of fun.”
Rachel Rule agreed it’s a good way to finish the career that started in kindergarten.
“It’s gone almost perfect,” she said. “I love this team and love playing with my sister. It’s a great way to end my basketball career with a bang. It’s bittersweet that my career is coming to an end, but we’ve accomplished so much this year. I’m ending my career with a sense of satisfaction.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.