Fremd isn’t any stranger to crushing losses this season.
Of the Vikings’ 5 losses, 4 have been by single digits. They couldn’t full a comeback in opposition to Kenwood, misplaced by three to Benet, misplaced by 5 to Southeastern, and misplaced in heartbreaking vogue to Alton after three overtimes.
So when Fremd battled again to beat Lyons 56-50 on Saturday, the Vikings knew how essential it was to seize a victory.
“We all know Lyons is an efficient crew and that we’ve misplaced some powerful ones this 12 months and that was a win we wanted to indicate how good of a crew we’re as a result of we all know how good we’re,” guard Ella Todd stated.
Fremd trailed 27-19 at halftime. The Vikings dedicated a number of turnovers that led to straightforward baskets for Lyons. However as an alternative of splintering and pointing fingers, Fremd got here collectively.
And it was a gaggle effort for the Vikings. Senior guard Coco Urlacher scored 11 factors and was a drive defensively, disrupting drives and producing steals whereas additionally being a presence on the board. Todd scored 11 of her 22 factors within the third quarter, giving her crew a much-needed offensive raise. Todd’s skill to create her personal shot out of the midrange allowed Fremd to maintain chipping on the lead.
Resilience is required because the IHSA state playoffs loom within the not-so-distant future. There’s going to be video games the place pictures aren’t falling and baskets are arduous to come back by. The groups that survive within the state playoffs have the inner perception that no lead is insurmountable.
“Even after we have been down by lots, we have been simply lifting one another up,” Todd stated. “We had quite a lot of huddles on the courtroom to choose one another up. We believed we may win.”
Junior guard Greta Thompson scored 10 fourth-quarter factors, placing Fremd out in entrance for the remainder of the sport. Every Vikings participant discovered a option to contribute to a win they wanted.
“Everybody’s all-in,” coach James Han stated. “That’s one thing we’ve been making an attempt to domesticate going into the playoffs, that we’d like all people on board.”
Lyons was a great take a look at for Fremd. The Lions are a formidable opponent with forwards Nora Ezike and Emma O’Brien, two of probably the most versatile gamers within the state. Each forwards can drive to the basket, shoot the three and disrupt opposing offenses with their size and exercise.
Todd is commonly the tallest participant on the courtroom for Fremd, although she’s a guard. All the crew battled on the boards. Junior ahead Isabella Del Mar completed with 9 rebounds, Urlacher grabbed seven and Todd grabbed six.
Todd was a driving drive for her crew, scoring 22 factors and garnering a ton of defensive consideration. But when Thompson didn’t come alive within the fourth quarter, the Vikings wouldn’t have received. There’s a religion that permeates all through the crew in every participant.
“She took these pictures within the fourth quarter, and we consider they’re getting in,” Todd stated of Thompson.
The Vikings have been battle-tested all season. These gut-wrenching losses within the common season turn out to be classes for the state playoffs. The Vikings have one regular-season sport left in opposition to a troublesome Prospect crew on Wednesday. However the sport permits the crew an opportunity to construct some momentum heading into the playoffs.
Although they took their lumps, the Vikings are beginning to gel on the proper time. In a single-game elimination match, something can occur. Confidence and momentum are a crew’s finest pal.
“We wanted this,” Thompson stated. “We had so many shut video games in opposition to actually good groups, and that is one which I really feel like we’ve labored for. We proved to ourselves that we will beat good groups.”
