Morris, Bulldogs’ aim is the same, with newer lineup 

Riverside Brookfield High School senior and returning starting guard Alyssa Morris enters her third varsity season with mostly with new teammates.

“I lost seven of my seniors [to graduation], the people I’ve grown the most chemistry with, but I’m also interested in learning how to play with our new players,” Morris said. “We’re just trying to become more of a team and I’m trying to get them to be more aggressive for that varsity level. What we have been doing has been going really well.”

Morris, juniors Abby Weinert and Arianna Hudson and seniors Tali Herrera, Isabella Perez and Abbey Tyler return for the Bulldogs, who finished 17-14 and won the Metro Suburban Conference, their first conference title since 2020. They lost to Kenwood 73-57 in the Class 4A RB Regional final after slashing an 18-point, second-quarter deficit to four.

Newcomers are senior Gabriella Graupera, juniors Joselyn Hernandez, Kennedy Holakovsky, Maggie Porter, Giselle Rodgers, Maya Tennicott and Addie Vaia and freshman Claire Evans. 

At Hinsdale South’s Brenda Whitesell Tournament, the Bulldogs (3-0) lost to Hinsdale South 58-30 in the Nov. 21 season opener, Oak Park and River Forest 52-31 Saturday, and St. Francis 57-30 Monday.

The Bulldogs will be playing in the Upstate Eight Conference this year.

“That’s the main goal, win conference and see how far we can go in the playoffs. We were really gelling last year and I expect the same thing,” RBHS coach Jordan Mack said.

Morris was third on the Bulldogs last season in scoring (7.4 points per game) and rebounds (4.7 per game) and second in assists (2.4 per game). 

“She’s added a lot of different moves to her skill set. And she’s always been a great defender, one on one,” Mack said. “She’ll be one of our top defenders and scorers and assists. She’s going to be looked on to do a lot for us.”  

Morris hopes to supplement better numbers with leadership as she plans to play collegiately.

“Even though we have new people, I don’t know their personalities, how they play, but I’m learning that and to help them and also make it better for them so we can all work together and use our best aspects to our best ability,” Morris said. 

Weinert (8.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg) played in 26 games. Hudson (4.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Herrera (1.3 ppg) played in 17 and 14. 

Hudson is working back from an injury that limited her playing time last season. Sidelined last season by torn ACLs were Perez, hurt against Trinity last Nov. 30, and Tyler, who served as team manager.

Mack said an impressive Evans has led the team in shooting drills. Another difference maker could be Graupera, an exchange student from Spain. 

“We’ll surprise some people,” Mack said. “We’re going to hustle, play hard, bring energy. We’re going to get up and down, play an exciting brand of basketball.”

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LTHS girls basketball

Senior Nora Ezike, junior Emma O’Brien and their Lyons Township girls basketball teammates wasted no time showing their potential.

In the Nov. 19 season opener, the Lions defeated perennial power Benet Academy 77-67 in La Grange. The Redwings won last year’s meeting 54-45.

“Coming out of that game with a win really upped our team energy,” said Ezike, the 6-foot-2 Stanford recruit named 4A third-team all-state by the IBCA last season.  

“I think our strengths are that we have people that can do everything. Everyone can shoot outside. People can post up inside. We have a lot of team chemistry. It’s hard to guard all of us at the same time.” 

The Lions (20-12 last season) have other breakthroughs on their mind beyond extending their streak of three straight regional titles, their longest streak since the 1990s. That includes their first sectional title since 1998 after losing in the sectional semifinals the past two seasons and improving upon 8-4 in the West Suburban Silver after winning or sharing the previous three titles. 

The Lions (3-0) have opened their LT Tournament by beating Oak Lawn 58-30 Friday and Wheaton North 62-32 Saturday. O’Brien and Ezike respectively were named the LT Player of the Game.

“They wanted to make a statement on the season (against Benet) and they did,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said. “We have a lot of individuals that can score. If all five starters are scoring, that’s big for us. We’re transitioning well, too, which gets everyone involved.” 

Junior guard Avery Mezan also is a returning starter and junior guard Gwen Smith was often the sixth player. Seniors Tess Bernson, Harper Carroll, Maddie McLane and Katie McVady and junior Fiona Sullivan also are back, while newcomers are juniors Anna Bigenwald and Char Ebeid, sophomore Taylor Carroll and freshman Sydney Munson.

Ezike and O’Brien, last season’s all-conference players, continue distinguishing themselves among the area’s top players. Ezike, arguably the program’s best player ever, averaged a team-best 15.9 points last season and was second in total rebounds (8. 5 per game).

The 6-1 O’Brien, already with a handful of Division I scholarship offers, was second in points (13.4 ppg) and three-pointers (47) with team highs of 83 assists, 73 steals and 26 blocks. She also was third in rebounds (5.7 rpg).

Mezan (5.9 ppg, 59 assists) is a third-year varsity player like O’Brien. Smith (3.7 ppg), who has made significant strides, and Bernson (2.7 ppg), another returning key reserve, join Mezan as guards. McLane and Taylor Carroll also have played in all three games.

Against Benet, Ezike (9 rebounds) and O’Brien (4 threes, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) each had 27 points, followed by Smith (13 points, 4 assists), Bernson (8 points, 2 threes) and Mezan (8 rebounds).

“If you didn’t know it was our first game, I don’t think you would have been able to tell,” O’Brien said. 

“On the defensive side, we play really well together. We have a lot of hustle and are more aggressive. Last year was good, but this we have more all-around players. If we have one person shooting well, it’s not like they have to be the only person. We spread out our offense really well.”

Ezike (23 points, 8 rebounds) and O’Brien (19 points) paced the victory over Oak Lawn. Smith and Ezike each scored 15 points against Wheaton North.

“(Smith has) stepped up huge. These first games, it’s insane how much she’s grown,” O’Brien said. 

Last season, the Lions lost their sectional semifinal 44-40 to Nazareth Academy, which lost 44-40 to Loyola Academy for the state championship. 

“I feel like the most important thing (this season) is having confidence in ourselves,” Ezike said. 

“It doesn’t matter what people are saying, our seed or anything. As long as we put our best effort into the game and play as well as we know we can play, we can play with anyone,” O’Brien added.