Barrington finds a winning chemistry

BARRINGTON — With more than 330 career victories, Barrington girls basketball coach Babbi Barreiro knows a thing or two about winning.

Perhaps, then, it’s a telling sign she smiles when speaking about this season’s team, which entered the week with an 8-1 record.

The Fillies’ lone loss? A two-point thriller at Huntley, one of the area’s top Class 4A clubs.

“We’ve had some games where we need to close out and finish a little better, but otherwise I’ve been pretty pleased with the start we’ve had,” Barreiro said. “We have a lot of really versatile players here who do a number of different things well. Hopefully they continue to grow together and get stronger as the season progresses.”

One of those players is senior guard Brooke Gunderson. Though she’s averaging only 6 points per game, she was a huge factor last week when she had a team-high 14 points, five rebounds and three steals in a 59-52 win at Grayslake North.

“Our team chemistry has become really good,” said Gunderson, who has been on varsity since sophomore year. “That’s been the one thing that’s stood out this season. We all know where we’re all supposed to be on the court, and we’ve really done a nice job passing and moving the ball quickly.”

Barreiro added, “Brooke can shoot, she can rebound and she makes good decisions with the basketball. Defensively, when she’s charged up, she’s a big factor and a difference-maker. Just an all-around player.”

Gunderson, along with senior guard Angie Kirchoff (averaging a team-best 12 points per game), have tried to set positive examples for the team’s tallest player, 6-foot-2 sophomore Megan Talbot.

Talbot is averaging close to a double-double (10 points, 9 rebounds) for the Fillies and has shown she can be the best player on the floor in spurts.

“I think this team is going to keep getting better as long as we communicate and keep working as a team,” Talbot said. “That’s up to all of us, really. I just know right now it’s exciting to be part of.”