Junior guard Savannah Lynch has made an impact since day one for St. Edward.
As Lynch guides the Green Wave in her third varsity season, however, the difference in her demeanor is noticeable. She has fully embraced the leadership role as the years have flown by.
And this winter, she’s playing with an ease that shows on the court.
“From being a freshman to now, I’ve started to understand varsity basketball and play more calm and collected,” Lynch said. “Just knowing time and situation and knowing how I can help the team.
“How can I put us in a good position to succeed?”
Once again, Lynch has been the catalyst for St. Edward’s success. She captured MVP honors as the Green Wave (9-5) repeated as the champion of the Lisle Holiday Cage Classic.
And it’s not just the numbers on the stat sheet.
“Just her presence on and off the court, she brings a new level of leadership,” St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson said of Lynch. “You can tell how much she’s worked on improving not only her skills but her basketball knowledge.
“It’s been fun to watch her mature as a basketball player. She’s grown her game.”
While Lynch’s ability to knock down 3-pointers, take the ball to the basket or get the ball to her teammates has always been there, she’s mastering those skills this season.
“She’s able to make a lot of adjustments based on the other team’s defense,” Dawson said of Lynch. “We were able to post her up against smaller guards in this tournament.
“She’s just so versatile because of her skill level and her understanding of the game. She’s been able to take things to the next level.”
Colleges are starting to take notice, too. She confirmed she’s early in the recruiting process.
“This summer I’ll get into it more,” Lynch said. “I’m so excited. I’m just ready to see what happens and where this takes me. I love this sport and I’m excited to see what happens.”
More on the Green Wave
Lynch has played with Dawson’s daughters, Layne and Taylor, and Sarah Gurley since seventh grade. Layne Dawson is a couple weeks away from returning from injury.
Jordin Sauls and Ginger Younger have also been mainstays for the Green Wave. Adding in Larkin transfer Sanaii McPherson, who scored her 1,000th career point this week, has gone smoothly.
“I think that helps,” Lynch said. “Being friends on and off the court, that helps us trust each other more. If someone is down, we know how to pick each other up.”
Walk in the park for Parkview
One of the unexpected storylines in the first half of the season has been the rise of Parkview Christian (14-1). The only loss for the Falcons so far is to Timothy Christian.
Their roster of nine features four sophomores and two freshmen.
“I knew we were going to be good, but I’m pleasantly surprised,” Parkview coach Kayla Linden said. “Our freshmen have really stepped into the system and our juniors have come alive.”
The headliner has been 6-foot freshman forward Rhen Staudacher, who leads the team by averaging 15.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots.
“She has a high IQ and some moves that she’s worked on,” Linden said. “She can rebound when she’s not hitting. We can play the inside-out game, which is old school but I’m old school.
“I saw it in the summer. I knew she had some potential.”
The Falcons are in their third season returning to play under the Illinois High School Association banner. Now, they’re firmly in the mix in Class 1A.
“I’m excited for the postseason,” Linden said. “We just have to keep playing Parkview basketball. I’m not trying to change things up, just trust the process of what we already have established.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News