By Alexis Roach, Editor

“Go big, or go home.”

Third-year returning varsity player junior Emma Bradford lives by this motto during the basketball season.

The Knights started off their season big at Immaculate Conception Thanksgiving tournament, going 4-0 in the tournament and finishing in first place.

The team defeated Regina Dominican 35-24, crushed Plainfield South 57-13, and went on to beat Lisle 31-23 and Immaculate Conception 32-28.

Senior Kelly Evers was named MVP of the tournament.

“I was very nervous going into the tournament because I was playing with a new team and didn’t know what to expect. By the end of it, I was extremely happy with the team and our performance,” Evers said.

The Knights faced their first loss to East Aurora, with a final score of 52-33. Junior Alyson O’Herron lead the team with 12 points.

Their record was 4-1 as of press dead, and the team expects DeKalb, last year’s conference champion, to be its toughest competitor.

“Our biggest competition this year will be DeKalb because they don’t have any weak links, and it will be difficult to shut down both their offense and defense,” said Bradford.

Varsity has only two seniors on the team, Evers and Liz Barnette, a transfer from Indian Creek.

“We are a new team. We have four returning players, so we are still getting to know each other,” Coach Walter Dillivan said.

But many players moved up from last year’s strong sophomore team, which had a 25-1 record, and last year’s freshmen team, which went 24-0. Sophomore Lauren Zick and returning sophomore Marina Schaefer are among the key additions to the team.

“Lauren is really fast, and Marina is growing as a post player and will be a really strong part of our team,” said Bradford.

To prepare for their season, the varsity basketball team is running a lot and focusing on fundamentals.

“Pressure on defense all over the court is one of our main focuses,” Dillivan said.

-Contributions by Kylie Siebert