PGH Byron’s: Top Stories Of The Week! (11/15-11/20)
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With the first week of high school ball being completed, it’s safe to say Illinois has some of the best programs, hoopers, and just overall atmosphere. Each day of last week was a show, whether it was put on by…
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Continue ReadingWith the first week of high school ball being completed, it’s safe to say Illinois has some of the best programs, hoopers, and just overall atmosphere. Each day of last week was a show, whether it was put on by a program, a standout player, or a wire-to-wire game.
The rim must’ve widened by the minute on Saturday, as Sophie Swanson Sophie Swanson 5'10" | SG Barrington | 2023 State IL out of Barrington dropped 36 on the 2nd day of the Bison Classic Thanksgiving Tourney. Barrington rolled over the host Buffalo Grove with a 35 point victory. (66-31). Those 36 points etched Swanson in the Barrington Athletic Record Books, as she tied the single-game scoring record.
Stevenson is home to a dominating Big 3. Winning their first 3 games, the walking double-double Emory Klatt Emory Klatt 6'2" | SF Stevenson | 2024 State IL , University of Illinois Springfield commit Ava Bardic Ava Bardic 5'8" | CG Stevenson | 2022 State IL , and Penn U commit Simone Sawyer Simone Sawyer 5'10" | CG Stevenson | 2022 State IL have been putting on a scoring clinic. All 3 can drop 15+ in every game. Game 1, Emory and Ava did damage. Klatt led all with 19, Bardic with 16. In the second game of the season, Sawyer left the gym with a smooth 27pts, while Klatt finished with 24 and 15 boards. The big 3 wrapped up the week in a fashioned way. Klatt 19pts, Bardic 18pts, and Sawyer with 17pts. 3-0 to start Turkey Week
Alton added a new weapon this year, and a swiss army knife is what she is. Alyssa Lewis Alyssa Lewis 5'8" | CG Alton | 2024 State IL arrived in Illinois to win and do work. She’s a true all-around player who can legit do it all. In their first game on Friday, Lewis ended the night with 14pts/11asts/6stls and 3 rebounds. The game slowed down for Alyssa in matchup 2, as she filled the stat sheet with 24 pts/4asts/8stls and 8 boards. Sitting the whole 4th quarter of game 3 against Springfield (71-34), Alyssa finished with 15pts/4asts/4stls/1reb and a new piece of hardware. Lewis was named MVP and selected for All-Tournament for the Alton Lady Tip-Off
The freshman duo out in Deerfield led their team to a hard-earned 1 point win against the Saxons out in Schaumburg on Saturday. Aubrey Galvan Aubrey Galvan 5'7" | PG Loyola Academy | 2025 State IL put a number in every category, finishing with 11pts/7reb/2ast and 3 steals. Her running mate Nikki Kerstein Nikki Kerstein 5'8" | PG Montini Catholic | 2025 State IL capped off the night with, 16pts/8reb/4ats and 6 steals! The warriors go into Thanksgiving week with a 2-1 record.
Oak Forest has been on a roll during the first week… and Janae Kent Janae Kent 6'0" | SG Oak Forest | 2023 State IL has been the main force behind it. Starting this week off 4-1 the Bengals are proving to be one of the top teams around. Kent has continued to show why she’s 3rd in the rankings, and #1 at her position. Throughout their 5 games last week, she’s dropped a combined 90+ points. In their first matchup vs Plainfield North, Kent went wild for a 45pt and 14reb double-double… and the W. Saturday morning was the same leveled show for Kent, as she let loose for 35pts and 10reb as the Bengals cruise past Tournament host Beecher with 65-51 win.
The Bergstrom sisters aren’t to be slept on either. Tuesday night, the next year Coyote (USD) Joy Bergstrom Joy Bergstrom 5'9" | CG Saint Viator | 2022 State IL put up 26pts and snatched 8 boards with an OT win against Boylan Catholic. Friday was almost similar for the sophomore sister Mia Bergstrom Mia Bergstrom 5'10" | SG Saint Viator | 2024 State IL , as she finished with 21pts and secured 12 rebounds for a double-double, and the blowout win against the Golden Eagles from Jacobs. The Eagles start this week with a 2-1 record.
“Bella with the Burner!” A phrase I heard all summer ball, and nothing has changed for the senior guard out of Mother Mccauley. Bella Finnegan has been hard to stop during the Bison Classic. In their first match against Crystal Lake Central, Finnegan finished with 22pts and the win. Game 2, was a tough matchup against Emily Fisher Emily Fisher 6'0" | SF Libertyville | 2023 State #48 Nation IL and the Wildcats from Libertyville. The Mighty Macs came through with a win behind Finnegans 29pts. Their next matchup will be another test, as they face off against Katy Eidle Katy Eidle 5'11" | CG Hersey | 2023 State #45 Nation IL and Hersey this upcoming Tuesday night.