Things are shaping up nicely for Pawlak, Lakes girls basketball team
With a bulky brace strapped to her right knee, Natalie Pawlak is happy to be playing basketball again for Lakes.
The 5-foot-11 junior tore her ACL last April during AAU season and missed the first month of the high school season.
"It doesn't really hurt anymore, so that's good," Pawlak said.
"But the cardio's getting to me," she added with a laugh.
By the end of the month, every Lakes player figures to be in tiptop shape. The Eagles' 53-10 win over visiting North Chicago on Wednesday night hiked their record to 3-0 in January. When they get done playing a Saturday matinee at Glenbrook North on Jan. 30, the Eagles will have played a whopping 14 games in 25 days.
"It's a good test to see how I handle everything," Pawlak said, "mentally and physically."
No sweat. The Eagles are jacked for January.
"It's definitely something we've prepared for," senior point guard Ellie Haviland said. "During practices we go through everything, so that during this (14-game) span we already know what to do depending on what the (opponent) does. We don't have to take a practice to prepare for that game because we've already gone over so many situations."
Haviland and Pawlak each scored 10 points against North Chicago, as Lakes improved to 11-6 and 5-1 in the North Suburban Prairie Division with its third win in a row. Natalie Iacopetti added 8 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Both she and Pawlak sank first-half 3s in helping the home team build a 29-7 advantage.
All 11 of Lakes' players scored, and the Eagles didn't allow a point in the fourth quarter. Izzy Quaranta grabbed 8 rebounds, Shannon Hurlbut notched 3 steals, and Savannah Sikora also knocked down a 3-pointer.
Depth is something coach Brian Phelan didn't have at the beginning of the season due to injuries. Since then, he's promoted freshman post Mia Edwards (5 points, 4 rebounds vs. North Chicago) and speedy sophomore guard Rachel Becker (5 assists) to the varsity roster.
"We had seven (players) at practice in November and December, and now we're rolling 11," Phelan said. "Everybody's athletic, and we feel confident putting anyone on the court."
Lakes visits Richmond-Burton on Friday night, then takes part in Lake Forest's MLK tournament Saturday and Monday. The Eagles will play twice each day, and their second game Saturday is against Antioch.
"Redemption Saturday," joked Phelan, whose Eagles lost to Antioch 63-40 on Dec. 5.
"It's always fun playing them," Haviland said. "It's really the pride aspect. We want to beat them because they're our closest rival."