Fremd transfer Wooldridge leads Lincoln-Way West to state
Friday's second Class 4A girls basketball state semifinal between Lincoln-Way West and Bolingbrook at Illinois State includes a bit of local flavor.
Lincoln-Way West sophomore Brianna Wooldridge, the Warriors' leading rebounder (251) and third-leading scorer (12.2 ppg), started for Fremd's Mid-Suburban League championship team as a freshman.
"It's a unique story line," said Warriors coach Ryan White of his talented 6-foot-2 transfer. "It's very interesting. It seems both of our teams have done well.
"I know Brianna has been a huge help for us. Obviously, Fremd is still pretty loaded. To lose a player of her caliber and still be in the Final Four shows how impressive they've been."
White has had an impressive run at West, owning a record of 232-83 in 11 seasons. This is his first team (31-3) to reach the state finals.
"We sensed that we might have a chance this year so we beefed up our schedule," said White, a 1996 Lincoln-Way Central grad who played one year for coach Rollie Massimino at Cleveland State. "Every time we played a top team we were right there or able to win those games. Our kids can all shoot the ball."
The Warriors' freshman Ava Gugliuzza (111), junior Tara Gugliuzza (68) and senior Taylor Gugliuzza (54) have combined for 223 3-pointers while Wooldridge has popped in 13 from long range.
"Brianna is very versatile," White said. "She can handle the ball and she has worked hard on her 3-point shot."
Bolingbrook (25-7), which is making its eighth trip to the state finals, is led by 5-foot-5 sophomore guard Kennedi Perkins (14.1), 6-2 senior Treasure Thompson (13.5) and 5-11 senior Danyel Middleton (9.2 ppg along with 103 rebounds and 53 assists).
"Danyel has more ways to affect a game than anyone we've had here in years," said Smith, who assisted Montini's Jason Nichols when the Broncos won state titles in 2010 and 2011. "Everyone sees the energy Danyel provides for us. She has the ability to be a stat sheet filler."
Smith is 134-60 in seven seasons and making his first trip to the state finals
Bolingbrook won the Class AA state in 2006 and 4A titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011 under former coach Anthony Smith.
"I believe in strong man-to-man defense," said Chris Smith who attended Luther South High School and Bradley University. "This game features Will County basketball. It brings excitement back to the area.
"We have two teams representing both sides of our conference (Southwest Suburban). It says a lot about our conference and the area."