DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Kedryna keeps Lemont in healthy position to win conference. Good thing too. ‘I want to be a surgeon.’
Lemont senior Bella Kedryna would like to play basketball in college. She certainly has a solid resume, being one of the Southland’s top scorers and rebounders.
But as skilled as her hands are with the ball, she has even bigger plans for them in the future.
“I want to be a surgeon,” Kedryna said. “I’ve always loved the medical field and helping people in a different way. Not everyone can help save someone’s life like that.
“I learned a lot about surgery after I had a broken wrist. The doctor restored my life. Spending so much time with my orthopedic surgeon made me fall in love with that specialty.”
With a 4.6 GPA, she’s eager to learn.
For now, Kedryna has Lemont (15-9, 10-1) just two wins away from clinching at least a tie for the South Suburban Blue title.
The 5-foot-9 guard is averaging 20 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals. On Dec. 19, she scored her 1,000th career point in a game against Hinsdale South.
Lemont coach Tracy Rainey knows right where to look in the score book for the high points of Kedryna’s season.
“No game is too big for her right now, which is awesome,” Rainey said. “Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Hillcrest, Argo. I feel like she is playing her best basketball against our toughest conference opponents.
“No matter what, she’s always going to get 10 transition points per game. She gets a rebound and she’s going to go.”
Kedryna averaged 16 points and 6.5 rebounds as a junior. It was a remarkable comeback from a sophomore season that spring shortened not only by COVID restrictions but a snowboarding accident during Christmas break.
“I have always snowboarded my whole life, so it was nothing new to me,” Kedryna said. “But it was really icy that day, and I didn’t necessarily catch onto that.
“I went off this one jump and tried to slow down for the next one, but it was all ice so I didn’t slow down. I landed on my left hand.”
Kedryna recovered in time to play in a handful of games that spring. By summer, she was ready to roll.
The snowboard?
“I have it tucked away in my basement,” Kedryna said, laughing. “I’m never snowboarding again.”
Look out, mom: Erin Haubenreiser Dempsey still holds two program rebounding records at Oak Lawn.
The 1994 graduate had 26 in a game during the 1993-94 season and 948 for her career. Today, she works at the school and keeps the score book during games.
Both records, meanwhile, may well be broken by the end of the 2024-25 season — by her daughter.
Sophomore Danielle Dempsey is pulling down boards at a rapid rate. With a handful of games remaining this season and two more seasons to go, the 5-9 forward has 449 rebounds.
Dempsey is averaging nine points and nine rebounds for the Spartans (10-15, 5-4). On Jan. 24, she had 17 points and 15 rebounds in a 59-35 win over Argo.
“She’s quick, she’s strong, she’s athletic and she’s tough,” Oak Lawn coach Mark Sevedge said. “When we’re at practice, we look up and say, ‘Hey, Danielle, you’ve got to get 27 and knock your mom off that record board.’”
Magic moment: Sandburg freshman Zoe Trunk had a fantastic finish on senior night against Lockport. The Eagles trailed 34-33 with 10 seconds remaining, but her steal and layup rocked the house for a 37-34 win.
“When she made the steal and the ball went in, I don’t think I’ve seen her jump so high in my life,” Sandburg coach Nick Fotopoulos said. “Her hands were in the air and all her teammates came and mobbed her.
“It was senior night, too, so the gym was packed. Just great energy.”