Girls basketball: Rolling Meadows' Spiwak picks Providence

Kyra Spiwak is one of the highest scoring guards in Rolling Meadows girls basketball history.

With more than 1,000 career points, Spiwak averaged 17.5 points during a 23-win season this winter. She tied for Mid-Suburban League East scoring honors with 17.4 ppg. and also averaged 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Regardless, she was never sure about her collegiate career until a few days ago.

That's when the 5-foot-9 all-area senior guard made a verbal commitment to Division I Providence College in Rhode Island.

"I would have never thought I would be playing D-1 basketball," Spiwak said. "It was always a dream and a goal that I had in the back of my mind. Whether at the time it looked like a realistic goal or not, it didn't change the fact that I was going to come out for every game and practice working and trying my hardest because I loved the game."

A game in which she played for four years on coach Kirkorsky's varsity squad.

"Kyra is one of those players who just improved each day," Kirkorsky said. "She committed herself to the process of becoming a great basketball player and put in a lot of work with her teams and on her own. She continually exceeded expectations and represented our program, school, and community to the highest of standards."

On Dec. 9, Spiwak became Kirkorsky's fourth Rolling Meadows player in five years to top the 1,000-point mark. She scored a game-high 22 points with 6 assists in a win over Wheeling.

She had many big games, including a 24-point performance with 8 rebounds in a 51-50 loss to two-time defending state champion Benet.

"I'm excited that Kyra found a school that seems to be a perfect fit academically and athletically," Kirkorsky said. "I know she will have the same positive impact on the Providence community that she's had on Rolling Meadows."

Spiwak chose Providence because the school made her feel right at home.

"The coaching staff (headed by Jim Crowley) and the team were very welcoming and made me feel like I was already a part of the team." she said. "The program was also very impressive and I liked the support they give to it. The school spirit was also a lot of fun to hear about and to see when I was walking around campus."

Spiwak began playing basketball in the second grade.

"My dad was a huge influence with helping me love the game," she said. "He coached my feeder team and would always give me advice to improve my game."

Spiwak is grateful for all her coaches over the years.

"I could have never gotten these opportunities if it weren't for my high school coach Ryan Kirkorsky, my AAU coach Kahleaf Russell and all my feeder basketball coaches who started teaching me the basics. The support that Meadows basketball got was incredible and I am so lucky to have family, friends and a community that is always supporting us."

Now, she will look for that similar support when she begins her collegiate career in Rhode Island.

"It's like a dream come true," she said about joining the Friars program which did not have a player on its roster from Illinois last season. "I would have never guessed I would have been given this opportunity.