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Consistent Bardic eclipses Stevenson's 3-point shooting record

Yes, the Stevenson girls basketball team is off to a fine start at 8-1 overall and 3-0 in North Suburban Conference action, but the immediate big news for the Patriots comes on the individual front.

Ava Bardic recently broke the school career 3-pointers made mark. Bardic, who is averaging 12.6 points per game, has made 21 3s through the first nine games, giving her 161 for her career. The old record of 153 was held by Ashley Richardson.

"Ava runs the show for us at point guard," coach Ashley Graham said. "Her defensive effort and offensive production have been so consistent."

Also of high notoriety is the play of Emory Klatt on the blocks. Klatt is averaging 16.5 points and 12.6 rebounds, and has registered double digits in both scoring and rebounds in eight of Stevenson's nine contests so far. "Emory has been scoring in bunches and is a complete force on the defensive and offensive boards," Graham pointed out.

Graham also lauded Simone Sawyer's efforts. She leads the Patriots in scoring at 16.8 points. "Night in and night out we count on her offensive output and she continues to carry us with her offensive production," Graham said.

Lake Zurich update:

Up against a highly competitive schedule, the Bears were 6-3 overall with those losses all coming to teams ranked highly in the state.

Lewis University recruit Alayna Soukup was named the player of the game in a win over St. Charles North at the Chicagoland Invitational hosted by Fremd. She had 19 points and 3 assists, while sophomore Anna Gilbertson is averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds.

Lake Zurich is in the midst of a stretch of five games in eight days, coach Chris Bennett noted.

Mundelein update:

The Mustangs, winners of three in a row and now at 5-4 after winning one game last year, have seen strong productions from sophomore Rylan Foster and senior Madison Werner.

Foster has 3 double-doubles in Mundelein's first nine games (15-10, 12-17 and 14-12). "Rylan does it all, scores in the paint, can hit the 3 (5 made), goes after every rebound and plays tough on defense," coach Greg Dorgan said.

Werner had 13 points and 4 rebounds against Lakes and 19 points against Waukegan. "We count on Madison to play tough defense on the perimeter or slide down to the paint, depending on what the team needs," said Dorgan of the versatile Werner.

Carmel update:

Carmel is now 7-2 after an East Suburban Catholic Conference-opening loss to Nazareth Academy earlier this week. Coach Ben Berg said Mia Gillis has been a huge key for the Corsairs - sporting a highly favorable assist to turnover ratio.

Antioch update:

Avery Larson had 21 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Zion-Benton and had 13 points in an overtime win against Wauconda. Senior Ariana Nikolov had 12 rebounds against Wauconda and 10 against Zion-Benton, plus is averaging 3.5 assists and 3 steals in recent games. Larson also has 4 double-doubles so far this season.

Sequoits coach Tim Borries pointed out his squad is 3-2 in games decided by 3 points or less, including a pair of overtime contests. "Our players are beginning to gain their composure in those tight games, which likely contributed to our overtime win against Wauconda," he said.

Warren update:

The Blue Devils beat Lake Forest by 7 points last week, the first time Warren has beaten this fellow North Suburban entrant in four years.

Senior Grace Lynch is averaging 10.3 points and 6 rebounds per game, while sophomore Mariah Phelps is up to 12 points per game after a pair of 19 back-to-back scoring efforts against Lake Forest and Zion-Benton. Warren is 4-4 despite missing starters Nari Powers and Zion Levy due to injury.

Grayslake Central update:

The Rams were off to a 2-0 Northern Lake County start, which included a 4-point win over town rival Grayslake North. Coach Steve Ikenn has received strong play from the likes of Madison Hoffman, Monica Schleg and Piper Gallaher. Hoffman is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, while Schleg is the Rams' second-leading scorer and one of their best shooters. Gallaher recently held Grayslake North All-Area player Peyton Gerdes to a season-low 13 points. Hoffman recently had her first career double-double against Grayslake North with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Wauconda update:

The Bulldogs were 5-1 through their first six games, including a 2-point win over Round Lake where they led for the first time with 22 seconds left in regulation.

Jessie Pakaski is averaging 11.4 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals, while coach Jaime Dennis said Mackenzie Allen has been a spark in most games, averaging 13.8 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

"After a good start, we have hit a bit of a slump in our offensive production," Dennis noted. "We are a better team than how we have been playing lately. We have some work to do in practice to get us back on track."

Lakes update:

In the Eagles' win over Grayslake North last week Kendall Phelan took a key charge in the fourth quarter that coach Brian Phelan noted changed the flow of the game. She then hit a 3-pointer after a steal with the game tied 41-41 in the fourth quarter. In a recent win against Grant, Jessica Oman hit for 23 points. Janae Pullen is also playing well, on pace to set a school record for made 3s in a season, while CC Fleming set the school record for charges taken earlier in the season, " and keeps adding to her total," Phelan said.

Round Lake update:

One contributor to Round Lake's 6-2 start? Opponents have been forced into an average of 25 turnovers per game. "As a team, we really pride ourselves on defense," coach Molly Hennig said.

Amari Cole is averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks. Lilli Burton is averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals, while Taylor Major is at 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.

"It's a special dynamic between the three girls. Their games complement each other," Hennig said. "As they get more accustomed to playing together, they are helping make their teammates better in the process."

Vernon Hills update:

Two keys for the Cougars have been the play of Alexa Cieslinski and Grace Koepke. "Alexa is a Swiss Army knife handling the ball, scoring and rebounding," Vernon Hills coach Paul Brettner said. "Grace has done well scoring, rebounding and protecting the basket."

Vernon Hills was 3-6 through its first nine games. "Our shooting percentages are a bit low and our turnover numbers are a bit high," Brettner noted. "When we get those reversed, we will make solid improvements."

Grayslake North update:

Standout Peyton Gerdes has gone over the 30-point mark twice and is averaging 20 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. Reagan Kuzynowski also has helped the Knights. She's averaging 5.7 points and has increased her career high in scoring four times this season, including a 14-point effort against Lakes.

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