McCameron's play led the way for Antioch

As Montini's basketball girls players talked to reporters in a room outside Hoffman Estates' gym following their 30th win, the trio that led Antioch to the same victory total waited patiently in the hallway.

Carly McCameron, Amy Reiser and Ashley Reiser looked at no one in particular, not knowing what to do after their 61-44 loss in the Class 3A supersectional Monday night.

"We're not used to this," Sequoits coach Tim Borries said with a grin.

If the Reisers and their returning teammates improve as much as McCameron did the last two years, rest assured, they will become experts in the postseason, postgame routine with the media.

"This is my third year with Carly, and every year (her improvement) has been leaps and bounds," Borries said of his senior center, a 6-foot, long-armed, shot-blocking machine. "She is our anchor on this team. The twins here, they got a front-row seat of what a true leader and captain is all about. I hope they learn from Carly. Carly made sure everybody was included. She took care of everybody and took care of everything. I walk in and she has the game plan and scouting report all on the wall."

McCameron was an athletic, raw talent with little offensive finesse as a sophomore on Borries' varsity roster.

This season she produced 14 double-digit scoring efforts, including a 19-point effort against eventual regional-champ Buffalo Grove and a 17-point performance against Stevenson in the North Suburban Conference title game. She had 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks against Montini.

"It's a far cry for an individual who I took to a Morris tournament her sophomore year," Borries said. "She didn't want to go. Her mom said, 'Just go.' "

With McCameron anchoring Antioch's last line of defense, swatting shots and altering them, it was go, go, go for the Sequoits this season. Their best season in program history ended after a school-record win total and championship efforts at Lisle (Christmas), Lake Forest (MLK), Stevenson (NSC), Wauconda (regional) and Antioch (sectional).

"It was crazy," McCameron said.

Then her voice quickly trailed off and she wiped away a tear.

"Sorry," she said. "I'm so sad to be leaving it. My best friends. My team. I wouldn't want to spend four months with anybody else."

Augustana and Minnesota-Crookston are among the schools she's interested in. She wants to study physical therapy.

"There's no doubt," Borries said, "that she's going to be successful, wherever she goes. Any coach who's not looking at her should be looking at her."

Then Borries, who was sitting at a table in that same room Montini's player just left, looked McCameron in the eyes.

"I will truly miss you," Borries said.

His intent wasn't to be sentimental but rather sincere.

"No one wants to lose, especially in supersectionals," McCameron said. "But I think it's important to remember what an incredible season we had."

jaguilar@dailyherald.com