Lisa’s Open Gym Notes: Nazareth Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since Illinois went from a double class state to four classes, plenty of teams in Illinois have won back to back state championships. Bolingbrook, Montini and Geneva are teams from Class 3A &amp; 4A who have accomplished this feat. What has not happened is a team winning back to back state championships in two different classes. Nazareth Academy may just be the first. Last season's Naz team was one of the most talented the IHSA state series has seen. If you thought they couldn't get any better, they did. DePaul freshman, Grace Carstensen, was their only graduating player. The team is bringing back all of their players while adding some young talent and a stellar transfer. Although this team is full of talent, their legendary girls basketball coach, Eddie Stritzel has created a culture of teamwork and winning teams only dream about having. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I shared my open gym visit with seven division 1 coaches who had a front row seat to some of the top talent in the state. This team can PLAY and they play hard. I was impressed that the girls were scrimmaging against boys. Not just any boys, but the boys playing on the varsity baseball team (most of them are going on to play at Division 1 schools). The girls competed. The boys didn't hold back. In some high schools, open gyms consist of a handful of girls shooting at a basket or gun. In the Naz gym, every girl from the team was present-regardless of whether they were playing. This is how culture influences a program and creates a desire to win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='265969' first='Olivia' last='Austin'], Ohio commit-Danielle Scully, [player_tooltip player_id='500949' first='Mary' last='Bridget Wilson'], June Foley and Boston College soccer commit-[player_tooltip player_id='265970' first='Amalia' last='Dray'], the Roadrunners have depth not seen in most schools. Add returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='513525' first='Stella' last='Sakalas'] who was conditioning at practice, the talent was on full display. While the team is overflowing with skill, here were some of the players who stood out to me in open gym:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514892"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lyla blew my mind by the marked improvement of her play.  She has always been a stand-out player but her entire game has gone up a level.  She was super fun to watch and played with the confidence that reflects her skill set.  She is crafty off the dribble, utilizes step backs to create space and was an all around scoring threat.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["655574"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Allia played as though she has always been on the Naz team.  Her work over the summer was reflected in her point guard play. She blew past boys who were bigger and faster than her to attack the glass. She has super solid handles, can control her defender and protects the ball. She couldn't miss from behind the arc.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["728005"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Freshman Sam Austin showed defensive versatility on both ends of the floor.  She highlighted her worth with a consistent motor to get to the glass.  Great size, skill and knowledge of the game,  she can attack off the dribble or at the rim. Don't sleep on her.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["524848"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":629043,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The 6'2 Manecke is a valuable rebounder who provides an interior defensive presence.  Using her wing span to swat away shots in her range, anchoring in the paint will accentuate her value.  She is highly impactful around the bucket with putbacks that allow her to contribute offensively as well.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["728004"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='728004' first='Sophia' last='Towne'] will be a fixture of Nazareth basketball for years to come.  She is a multifaceted offensive option who can score at the basket or facilitate the half court offense.  She is a skilled ball handler with great speed and is a great perimeter shooter.  The future looks bright.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6514d5241d905"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->