Broz no pushover in paint

Hinsdale Central senior basketball player Lily Sarros can get under the skin of junior teammate Jenna Broz at times during practice.

Broz wouldn’t have it any other way.

“She’s really pushed me in practice (to improve),” Broz said. “She plays good post defense on me, so I become better. Even though I get frustrated sometimes, I know she’s really helping me.”

Broz, a 6-foot-2 post player, believes she couldn’t ask for a better teammate to teach her. Sarros is in her fourth varsity season.

“When I was a freshman on varsity she really helped me adapt to the program,” Broz said. “Throughout the years I’ve just looked up to her because she’s such a big contributor to this team.”

Sarros — who had 20 points to lead Hinsdale Central to a 64-58 win over Downers Grove North Friday — combines with Broz to provide two reasons why the Red Devils have their program back on track after a couple of tough seasons.

Sarros has been impressed by Broz’s improvement and admits practices can sometimes get physical.

“Jenna’s gotten so much stronger,” Sarros said. “She’s definitely developed a lot. Next year when I’m gone, I think Jenna is going to be the most dominant post player in the conference. It’s a big thing for us to have intensity in practice. We want to push each other so we can all get better.”

Hinsdale Central coach Tom McKenna believes Broz’s versatility is a big reason for her success.

“She’s very athletic,” McKenna said. “She has a nice touch facing the basket and she actually handles the ball really well. I like everything about her. I just would like her to rebound a little better.”

Broz contributed five rebounds and four blocks against Downers North.

McKenna expects Broz to make huge strides as a senior.

“She’s playing a little bit in Lily’s shadow, but I’m sure she will step up,” McKenna said. “I have real confidence in Jenna being a real star for us next year and maybe the rest of this year, too.” ~.