Stevenson senior Grace Harper couldn’t stay away from basketball any longer.
A multisport athlete who has committed to play soccer at Washington University, Harper just played flag football for the first time. But she hadn’t played basketball for two years.
“I missed the sport,” she said. “I grew up in a very close-knit basketball team, so that’s where my love for the sport grew. I had such a strong bond and loved my coach from the start of playing basketball. It was easy for me to pick it up again.”
Playing varsity basketball for the first time, the 5-foot-7 Harper shook off some rust in the first few games of the season to make a more obvious impact during Stevenson’s North Suburban Conference opener against Zion-Benton on Monday. She recorded 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals in the Patriots’ 66-22 road win.
Stevenson coach Regan Carmichael, who had just two returning starters, is happy to have Harper back on the court.
“Grace has been doing great on varsity,” Carmichael said. “She’s such a great athlete and brings an energy and fearlessness to our team. Coming from flag football, she felt a bit out of sorts the first few weeks, but she’s found her footing and groove.
“Overall, she does the little things really well. She fills up the stat line with hustle plays, diving on the ground, and has such a burst of energy and is a difference-maker for us.”
Harper made the decision to rejoin the basketball team over the summer but played wide receiver and defensive back for the flag football team in the meantime. An instant success, Harper finished with 66 catches for 1,531 yards and 26 touchdowns, 40 carries for 403 yards and four touchdowns, 87 tackles and three interceptions. She was named all-conference and all-state.
“One of my teachers asked me to come out to practice,” Harper said. “I loved it immediately. It was an easy sport to pick up and have fun with. It was a really cool experience.”
Of course, Harper is a standout soccer player too. She was named all-conference last season. Carmichael appreciates Harper’s experience in that sport.
“I had a chance to coach high-achieving soccer players at New Trier,” Carmichael said. “I love the way they see the floor and have spatial awareness with soccer via spacing and cutting, which quickened her learning curve.”
Stevenson senior center Alexa Karcz, one of the returning starters for the Patriots (2-4, 1-0) along with sophomore forward Reese McLelland, said Harper’s athleticism is a great addition to the team.
“Grace’s experience as a multisport athlete allows her to view the game from a broader perspective and excel on both sides of the court,” Karcz said. “With soccer as her main sport, she brings incredible speed and intensity to our defense and has become a key contributor in recent games.
“Grace is always hustling, always giving her best, and her sense of humor brings light to every situation.”
McLelland echoed Karcz.
“Grace brings such a natural humor to basketball that really adds some fun back into the game,” McLelland said.
Harper, who said she has a 4.4 GPA, participates in the Best Buddies program and is president of Free the Children at Stevenson, is focused on helping the basketball team win.
“I’ve picked up so many sports, but soccer is the one I’ve always come back to and chose over any other sport,” she said. “With basketball, I’m just focusing on being a good teammate and a good player on the court.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.