Lyons Township High School seniors Emma O’Brien, Avery Mezan, Gwen Smith, Anna Bigenwald and Fiona Sullivan envisioned perhaps taking the court together during Senior Day, Saturday.

With O’Brien and Bigenwald currently injured, the recent return of Mezan from her injury during the 44-26 victory over Lincoln-Way Central was the next best thing.

“All of the seniors playing together is just fun to do. We’re really sad, though, that Emma and Bigs are on the bench because it’s not the same,” Smith said. “I was really excited once [Mezan] got cleared and she’s already making a huge difference. Definitely it makes the last few games of the season more exciting and fun.” 

The Lions (16-9) continue to progress with their current lineup that includes sophomore Sydney Munson and freshmen Kennedy Moore and Evie Riopell. They moved to 6-4 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division by beating Proviso West 79-19 Friday after losing to Waubonsie Valley 69-49, Jan. 29.

Cornell recruit and all-state candidate O’Brien is scheduled for ACL surgery on her left knee, Feb. 10. Bigenwald no longer needs the protective boot for her high ankle sprain and said she expects to return soon.

Mezan had been out since breaking her dominant right hand in action, Dec. 26. Mezan returned Friday off the bench in the first quarter to a standing ovation from teammates and the home crowd.

“That was wonderful. I expected a few claps but more than I was expecting,” she said.  “Every now and then my hand starts to hurt, especially when I overwork it. There’s a little bit of pain but not too much to push through and I can still play normally. My mind has gone back to normal. It’s just my body that’s hurting a little bit.”  

O’Brien and Mezan have played varsity all four years. Smith first emerged as a starter last season. Bigenwald, a Loyola women’s soccer goalie recruit, joined this year’s starting lineup.

“This group really likes each other. That’s all you can ask for,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said. “I was very excited to have (Mezan) back not just became she helps us offensively, defensively but because she’s a senior. I want her to play, feel good, to leave with that opportunity. You could tell the kids were really excited to have her back.” 

Sullivan, a varsity reserve, is enjoying her first full sports season since tearing her right ACL during girls basketball action in December 2024. During flag football in the fall, she was still recovering and only able to play on that Senior Day.

“It’s definitely different because there’s not much more mobility. It’s been fun. I’m glad I can play,” she said. 

In the meantime, Smith has taken on more leadership on the court. She had 20 points and 12 rebounds Saturday, followed by Moore (10 points, 5 rebounds), Munson (8 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists) and Mezan (6 points). Smith (19 points), Munson (13 points), Sullivan (12 points) and Nyla Kuta (10 points) reached double figures against Proviso West.

At Hinsdale Central, Jan. 24, Smith helped the Lions overcome a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit before losing in overtime.

“Gwen never imagined her senior year being this way. Man, does she turn it on when she wants. Really, we ended up going into overtime because of her,” Hutchens said. “She just has another gear and that’s why I’m excited she’s going to play (at Gannon University) and continue to grow.” 

“It’s really different, difficult playing without [the seniors], but I feel like the underclass players have stepped into their starting roles,” Smith said. “We’ve been improving each game so it’s really been positive.” 

The Riverside Brookfield boys (18-5, 8-1 in Upstate Eight Conference East Division), meanwhile, extended their winning streak to 10 in a row by beating Elmwood Park 78-43 Friday and Morton 67-55, Jan. 27. The Bulldogs outscored Morton 16-7 in the fourth after trailing 23-15 after one quarter but closing to 34-33 by halftime. 

Cameron Mercer had 25 points with 4 three-pointers, eight rebounds and seven deflections. Colin Cimino (14 points, 8 rebounds) and Liam Enright’s double-double (11 points, 10 assists) also contributed.

Sophomore Noah VanTholen’s 22 points with 5 threes, Mercer (16 points with 4 threes) and Cimino (14 points) fueled the victory over Elmwood Park.

The LTHS boys (16-6, 6-1 in WSC Silver) have won five straight after beating Clark 71-52 Saturday at St. Patrick, Proviso West 82-43 Friday, and Hinsdale South 64-43, Jan. 27.

Grant Smith (22 points, 10 rebounds), Nate Woods (16 points), Timmy Sloan (15 points, 8 assists) and Owen Carroll (10 points) reached double figures against Clark. The same four had double figures against Proviso West – Smith (25 points), Woods (14 points), Carroll (12 points) and Sloan (11 points, 5 assists). Carroll (21 points), Smith (14 points) and Woods (10 points, 6 rebounds) led the attack against Hinsdale South.

The RBHS girls (7-17, 4-6 in UEC East) beat Elgin 60-48, Jan. 27, and lost to Glenbard East 55-51 Friday. Senior Night is Feb. 10.

Addie Vaia (19 points), Arianna Hudson (14 points, 9 rebounds) and Kate Hamilton (13 points, 7 rebounds) and Abby Weinert (7 points, 8 rebounds) led the victory over Elgin. Hudson (21 points, 11 rebounds), Hamilton (12 points, 5 rebounds) and Vaia (10 points) also excelled against Glenbard East. Sophomore starter Claire Evans has been out with an ankle injury.

Girls gymnastics 

Riverside Brookfield and Lyons Township girls gymnasts teams competed at the Lincoln-Way East Regional Tuesday with hopes of advancing to the Oswego Sectional, Feb. 11.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs finished second at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet (125.20 points) and second in the final overall standings.

Paige Phelan was second in all-around (33.45), third on floor exercise (8.7), tied for third on vault (8.7) and was fourth on balance beam (8.1) and sixth on uneven parallel bars (7.95). Cora Rosenfeld was sixth on floor (8.25) and beam (8.0) and all-arounder Brooklyn Tabb tied for sixth (29.45).   

The Lions were fifth at Thursday’s West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet (129.45) and fifth overall. Emily Martinez was fifth in all-around (34.00) and tied for fifth on vault (8.775). Clare Byrne (8.2) and Martinez (8.125) were fifth and sixth on uneven bars.