Girls Basketball: Future bright for young Joliet Catholic
By Tim O’Brien For Sun-Times Media February 25, 2013 7:32PM
Updated: March 27, 2013 6:07AM
After his team’s surprising loss to Bishop McNamara in the Peotone Sectional semifinals, Joliet Catholic coach Ed Schodrof was understandably disappointed.
But the future for the Angels is bright.
Very bright.
“We try to stay positive,” Schodrof said. “We lose two seniors, and I feel bad because it’s the last time they lace it up. We’re bringing back a strong team, and we could be better next year.”
Junior Jasmine Lumpkin (17 points per game average, 12 rebounds) and freshman Nicole Ekhomu (16 points) are expected to return and lead the way for Joliet Catholic, which finished the season with a 24-5 record. Christine Ekhomu, Lauren Vanisko, Destiny Nash and Amina Green also are expected back. The Angels lose Mary Susan Rouse and Trevonya McClain from the starting lineup.
The team’s regional title was the first for the program since 2006.
“A regional title and 20 wins isn’t bad,” Schodrof said. “It’s tough to find positives after a loss, but you have to. The last thing we said is that we love the kids.”
Lemont’s FTs for charity
Lemont felt pressure at the free-throw line in a different way recently.
Shooting free throws for two charities, Free Throws for Heroes and Free Throws for the Fight, the Lemont program earned $878.15, which will be divided among the two charities.
Players from the freshman, sophomore and varsity teams shot a set number of free throws and collected pledges for the number of made shots on 50 attempts.
“Honestly, most of the girls shot better for charity than they did during the season,” Lemont coach Bill Bozue said.
Young Morris takes its lumps
Losing three of its top seven players to injury, Morris struggled this season on the way to a 6-21 mark.
Sophomore Julie Jurasits stepped up in the face of adversity.
“The girls could have easily folded,” Morris coach Luke Windy said. “We’re young, and we basically get the whole team back, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
