Lewis looks to next season with guarded optimism

Flyers gain dynamic duo in McAuley’s Badali, Lincoln-Way West’s Gugliuzza

With Lincoln-Way West senior Taylor Gugliuzza and Mother McAuley senior Jenna Badali, Lewis promises to have quite an electric backcourt over the next four seasons.

Who would have predicted the starting point guards from two teams in the state finals would bring their skills together at the Romeoville university?

Gugliuzza remembers vividly the day Badali called the shot.

Or at least planted a seed.

It happened in February 2019 after McAuley beat Lincoln-Way West 63-38 in a Class 4A sectional semifinal.

“Jenna and I were talking,” Gugliuzza said. “She was like, ‘Oh, well. Don’t worry. Maybe you can play with me and you won’t have to lose by 30. We can both beat teams by 30.’

“I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, that’d be cool.’ But I was still, not mad at her, but I was just like, ‘Yeah, you just beat us.’”

By the end of summer, both committed to Lewis.

“I heard about it when I was at one of my AAU tournaments in July,” Badali said. “I texted her, ‘Are you committing?’ When she said yes, I was so excited. We’re going to have so much fun.

“I’ve been watching her the past few years and she’s been killing it at Lincoln-Way West. I’m really glad we’re going to be on the same team.”

It certainly has Lewis coach Sam Quigley Smith smiling.

“It’s going to be really fun and exciting to watch,” Smith said. “Gosh, we’re just excited to see them alongside of each other.”

Both are three-time all-area selections, with Gugliuzza reigning as the 2019-20 Daily Southtown Player of the Year.

Both helped lead their teams to secondplace finishes in 4A, Badali as a junior and Gugliuzza as a senior. And both of their senior seasons were amazing.

Badali was the GCAC Red Player of the Year, averaging 17.5 points. 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists. She hit 52 3-pointers.

Gugliuzza was the SouthWest Suburban Red Player of the Year, averaging 18 points, 4.0 assists and 3.1 steals. She hit 57 3-pointers.

There are no guarantees Badali and Gugliuzza will be starters on opening night for Lewis, but Smith is more than willing to give them a chance to earn the right.

“The opportunity for them is extremely bright,” Smith said. “The last couple of years we’ve been missing a true point guard, and they both bring those qualities into a program that needs a true point guard.

“The collaboration of both of them, being able to lead their programs to state championship games in the last couple of years as the primary ballhandlers, is just very exciting.”

Gugliuzza was the top player for LincolnWay West (32-4), which smashed the program record for victories and made its first trip to state.

Her method of attack?

“I don’t really know how to describe it,” Badali said. “She can get to the basket whenever she wants. And she can hit the three.

“She is probably one of the hardest people to guard in the state. And she finds her teammates so easily. The way she sees the court, it’s unbelievable.”

Badali should know. She was a kaleidoscope of talent herself for the Mighty Macs.

As a sophomore and junior, she shared the spotlight with standouts Grace Hynes, Tara O’Malley, Lauren Ramsey and Hannah Swiatek.

During her senior season, Badali had to be a role model as well as a leader for the young Mighty Macs (22-12), who won a regional title.

“She’s a super strong point guard,” Gugliuzza said. “Her passes and the way she can drive, I think a lot of players wish they could be that kind of point guard.

“We’re going to be able to find each other so easily. We should mesh well together.” And make more than a few highlight reels. “Oh, definitely,” Gugliuzza said, laughing.