Nina Scaramella wasn’t expecting to make a big impact for first-year Lyons coach Paul Krick this season.
The sophomore guard is in her initial varsity season and didn’t know what would happen on a new team with a new coach.
But with a team-high 15 points Dec. 10 in a 69-63 win over preseason West Suburban Silver favorite Hinsdale Central, Scaramella’s outlook is starting to change.
“I’m hoping to contribute more to the team, but I’ve only played seven games,” said Scaramella, a Willow Springs resident.
Make that eight games, with Lyons’ 36-34 overtime victory over York behind Kayla Morrissey’s 13 points.
Scaramella was one of three Lyons scorers in double figures against Hinsdale Central (6-3, 2-2). Lyons (6-2, 2-1 WSC Silver) could meet the Red Devils again at Wheaton North next week.
“I’ve worked very hard, but I’m kind of surprised. I’m very satisfied by how I’m doing,” Scaramella said.
Fifth-seeded Lyons opens the Wheaton North tournament at 4:30 p.m. Monday against St. Charles East. Downers Grove North, which visits Lyons at 7:30 p.m. Friday, also will represent the WSC Silver at Wheaton, while the sixth-seeded Devils open against Elgin at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
Lyons and Hinsdale Central were placed on opposite sides of the bracket and wouldn’t meet until the final two rounds on Dec. 27-28. Then, in its third game of the new year, Lyons plays Hinsdale Central Jan. 11 in La Grange.
The Lyons have plenty on their minds heading into the holidays. They have final exams this week and spent practices preparing for Downers North.
“We haven’t talked about [Wheaton North],” Scaramella said. “We’re taking games one by one. There is a lot of competition [at Wheaton North]. We need to bring our ‘A’ game.”
Lyons placed fourth at Wheaton North last year after losing to Glenbard South 63-57 and left the tournament with a 9-6 record overall.
Veterans Morrissey and guard Victoria Swift have done their parts in guaranteeing a successful start to the season. Lyons won its Thanksgiving tournament before suffering its first loss at Trinity (10-0) on Dec. 3. Swift (15 points) and Morrissey (12) were the team’s scoring leaders in that 63-46 defeat.
