Warriors ice Thornwood
Lewis, a converted hockey player, comes up big on defense as L-W West pulls out a win
Switching from hockey to basketball has been a big challenge for Lincoln-Way West junior Chyne Lewis.
But one thing she appreciated right away. Coming off the bench in basketball is a lot different from jumping over the boards in a hockey game.
“Yeah, I’ll take running off the bench here,” Lewis said, laughing. “It’s a lot easier.”
Lewis didn’t start Thursday night against Thornwood but came up big at the finish for the Warriors in a 48-47 nonconference victory.
Ava Gugliuzza had 14 points for LincolnWay West (22-9). Peyton Madl added 12 points, while Caroline Smith contributed nine points and seven rebounds.
Trinity Chears scored 15 points for Thornwood (27-4). Kayla Johnson had 14 points and five rebounds, while Phalan Sigers added eight points and seven rebounds.
Lewis came up with all six of her points for the Warriors during the first two quarters. But it was her defense that made the ultimate difference.
Lincoln-Way West led by one point with seven seconds remaining, but Thornwood had possession. Chears took the inbounds pass in the backcourt and made a beeline downcourt.
There was little doubt where she was going with the ball. Lewis was one of the Warrior defenders waiting for her.
“I was nervous ... I just didn’t want to lose,” Lewis said. “I was kind of on her. I didn’t want to let her past me.”
Chears did get by, but not with the ball. At some point she lost possession, and Lewis grabbed it. The 5-foot-7 guard then dribbled out the final four seconds.
“It seemed like forever,” Lewis said. “I’m just glad I was in the right place at the right time.”
Basketball is still relatively new to Lewis. She spent most of her grammar school years as a figure skater and then as a hockey player.
“I loved figure skating and hockey,” Lewis said. “My mom put me in figure skating when I was 4 years old. In sixth grade, I started playing hockey. I finally gave it up in eighth grade to play basketball.”
Lewis played basketball for one season in sixth grade but really started to focus on the sport as a freshman.
“It was really hard, but it’s good,” Lewis said. “I’m still trying to earn my starting spot, but I’m going to keep working hard to get it.
“All my teammates have been really encouraging. (Junior) Kaylee Schultz has always been there for me. She tells me not to get down on myself.”
Lewis is in her first varsity season. She’s averaging 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
She actually began her junior year on the JV team. Lincoln-Way West coach Ryan White brought her up over Thanksgiving.
“She’s still trying to fine tune the ball handling and the shooting,” White said. “Her athleticism has always been there and stood out. We were hoping to get her that game experience for her to transition to the varsity.
“When we brought her up, she did some nice things. She has kind of niched out a role for our team. She’s had some very good games where she has come in and attacked the basket. She always gives it to us defensively.”
Gugliuzza appreciates her help on offense.
“She’s really been a great role player on our team,” Gugliuzza said. “She works really well with everybody. And she just has a way of getting in there and knows how to score and be aggressive. It really changes the game.”
Before Thursday’s game, Gugliuzza was honored for being the fifth player in Illinois High School Association history to reach 400 career 3-pointers.
Gugliuzza passed Naperville North’s Mackenzie Hare for fourth all-time during Tuesday’s game against Lincoln-Way Central.
“It really is special,” Gugliuzza said. “I had no idea that during my senior year I’d be having 400 threes. It feels really good.”