Vikings aim to reach new heights
Veteran Fremd is preseason No. 1 team
Three things kept Sun- Times preseason No. 1 Fremd from reaching the Class 4A state semifinals the last two years:
Jenny Vliet, Alexis Glasgow and Jackie Kemph.
Rolling Meadows, which finished second to Young in 2014 and Marian Catholic in 2013, defeated Fremd in the sectional finals both years. The Vikings had beaten Rolling Meadows in the Mid- Suburban League championship game two weeks before in each of those seasons.
‘‘ There was so much talent on the floor,” Meadows coach Ryan Kirkorsky said. ‘‘ Each of those games came down to great players making big- time plays. Not only did they have [ Haley] Gorecki, but [ Illinois’ Ashley] McConnell was one of the best players in the area.’’
But the mainstays of those Rolling Meadows teams — Vliet, Glasgow and Kemph— havemoved on. Now it’s Fremd’s turn.
‘‘ This group experienced some success, and more importantly, big game experience at a young age,’’ Vikings coach Dave Yates said. “We had four sophomores and a freshman logging some significant minutes last year. I am excited to see how that benefits us this year.’’
Fremd’s fortunes this winter revolve around Duke recruit Haley Gorecki. The 6- foot senior guard averaged 23 points, six rebounds and three assists as a junior for the 27- 4 Vikings.
‘‘ I have so much respect for Gorecki, and it was such a challenge trying to prepare for her,’’ Kirkorsky said. ‘‘ The biggest compliment I can give her is that she makes her teammates better in all aspects of the game.’’
Those teammates include 6- 2 junior Bryana Hopkins, who averaged 10 points and seven rebounds during her sophomore campaign and is entertaining offers from a number of high Division I schools.
Junior guard Brianna Lewis, still reviled in Rolling Meadows for sinking the long three- pointer that denied the Mustangs an MSL championship in 2013, added nine points, three rebounds and three assists per game.
Add to the mix 6- 2 junior center JuliaWacker, 5- 10 junior Erin Lenahan, 6- 2 sophomore forward Grace Tworek and 5- 7 guard Emily Bieda, and you have a worthy successor to Rolling Meadows as the best bigschool team in the Chicago area not named Young.
And what about the defending state champions? Fremd and the No. 2 Dolphins are not scheduled to meet outside Redbird Arena this season. The Vikings will play No. 6 Joliet Catholic at the Chitown Showdown on Dec. 13 hosted by Young.
But fans will get a chance to watch and compare, and begin anticipating a possible meeting between the teams in early March.
Rolling Meadows permitting.