Reisers gave Antioch a double dose of leadership
Jason Nichols couldn't escape an episode of double-trouble.
As Montini Catholic's girls basketball coach watched game tape of Antioch sophomore twins Amy and Ashley Reiser wreaking havoc for opponents on the court, he was reminded of another place.
Home.
Nichols and his wife are the parents of 6-year-old twins, a boy and girl. Double the fun. Double the work.
After Montini beat Antioch 61-44 in Monday night's Class 3A Hoffman Estates supersectional, Ashley Reiser, always the floor leader, led the way for the Sequoits in the handshake line. When she met up with Nichols, the opposing coach put his arm on her shoulder and grabbed her hand.
Said Nichols: "I told her watching the film reminded me of my kids because the Reiser twins were driving me crazy all weekend figuring out how to stop them and I understood how tough twins could be - obviously in a different way."
"He congratulated me on my game," Ashley said with a proud smile.
One Reiser is a lot to handle on the basketball court for Antioch opponents. Two Reisers? Well, twice the headache.
Amy, a full quarter of high school basketball (eight minutes) older than her twin, and Ashley led Antioch to a school-record 30 wins and its first sectional championship. They drove hard to the basket and drove opponents nuts. As a result, they are co-captains of the Daily Herald all-area girls basketball team for Lake County.
All season long the two returning varsity players displayed a chemistry that can be only found with twins.
Reiser to Reiser. Ashley to Amy. Amy to Ashley.
Bucket, Sequoits.
"What I like most about their games is the vision they both have for each other," Sequoits coach Tim Borries said. "They just know where each other is at."
Amy, a 5-foot-7 guard, led the Sequoits in scoring at 13.6 points per game, while also averaging 6.9 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.3 assists. Ashley, a 5-4 point guard, averaged 12 points, 5.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Ashley and Amy sank 37 and 26 3-pointers, respectively.
With the twins and 6-foot senior center Carly McCameron leading the way, Antioch entered the season with big expectations. The Sequoits boasted four returning starters who helped the team earn a share of the North Suburban Prairie Division title with Vernon Hills last season. The Sequoits opened by winning their first three games, before suffering back-to-back losses to Fenwick and Niles North. They then reeled off 21 straight wins. They won their first outright NSC Prairie title and then handed host Stevenson a 68-54 loss in the conference title game, as Ashley scored a season-high 26 points.
Antioch's postseason ride included a 58-43 win over North Chicago in the Sequoits' own sectional final, as Amy nearly recorded a triple-double (17 points, 11 rebounds, 8 steals).
Then along came mighty Montini. The defending state champs greeted the Sequoits with one 6-5 girl and three other regulars standing at least 5-10.
"It was different because usually we play short players that are fast," Amy said. "These players were tall - and fast. It gave us some trouble. We really had to box out, but they got the rebound most of the time."
Antioch will miss McCameron's length and presence in the paint, but with the Reisers leading the way, the Sequoits should keep winning. Where can the twins go from here?
"I hope they go wherever I go," McCameron, who's still undecided about which college she'll attend, quipped after the Montini game.
The Reisers won't rest. Basketball fanatics, they will cherish this season and then next season strive to earn the state berth that eluded them.
"Never take anything for granted," Ashley said. "You really got to take in everything and enjoy the incredible moments that we encountered with this team, coach, parents and fans that have supported us at every game. I am incredibly proud of everyone on the team."
Next season, Borries said in typical coach-speak after the Montini loss, starts "tomorrow." He can't wait to see what the future holds for the rising Reisers.
Can the twins duplicate, so to speak, next season what they did this season?
"I think now they know what it takes to get here," Borries said. "Last year we lost the first game at sectionals. This year we lost in supersectionals. Build on it."
He has terrific twin building blocks in his team's quest.
"I'm going to enjoy these two girls for the next two years because I have them for two more years," Borries said of Amy and Ashley. "They're just going to be an extension of me. They know what needs to be done. From last year when they were freshmen to this year ... holy cow. Just phenomenal growth, on and off the court."