We Needed This: Fremd Knocks Off Lyons for Sixth Straight Win
A Much-Needed Victory
Fremd is no stranger to crushing losses this season. Of the Vikings’ five losses, four were by single digits. They couldn’t complete a comeback against Kenwood, lost by three to Benet, lost by five to Southeastern, and lost in heartbreaking fashion to Alton after three overtimes. So when Fremd battled back to beat Lyons 56-50 on Saturday, the Vikings knew how important it was to capture a victory.
A Group Effort
Fremd trailed 27-19 at halftime. The Vikings committed several turnovers that led to easy baskets for Lyons. But instead of splintering and pointing fingers, Fremd came together. And it was a group effort for the Vikings. Senior guard Coco Urlacher scored 11 points and was a force defensively, disrupting drives and generating steals while also being a presence on the board. Guard Ella Todd scored 11 of her 22 points in the third quarter, giving her team a much-needed offensive lift. Todd’s ability to create her own shot out of the midrange allowed Fremd to keep chipping at the lead.
Resilience and Belief
Resilience is needed as the IHSA state playoffs loom in the not-so-distant future. There’s going to be games where shots aren’t falling and baskets are hard to come by. The teams that survive in the state playoffs have the internal belief that no lead is insurmountable. “Even when we were down by a lot, we were just lifting each other up,” Todd said. “We had a lot of huddles on the court to pick each other up. We believed we could win.”
A Test of Strength
Lyons was a good test for Fremd. The Lions are a formidable opponent with forwards Nora Ezike and Emma O’Brien, two of the most versatile players in the state. Both forwards can drive to the basket, shoot the three, and disrupt opposing offenses with their length and activity. Todd is often the tallest player on the court for Fremd, though she’s a guard. The entire team battled on the boards. Junior forward Isabella Del Mar finished with nine rebounds, Urlacher grabbed seven, and Todd grabbed six.
A Faith in Each Other
Todd was a driving force for her team, scoring 22 points and garnering a ton of defensive attention. But if junior guard Greta Thompson didn’t come alive in the fourth quarter, the Vikings wouldn’t have won. There’s a faith that permeates throughout the team in each player. “She took those shots in the fourth quarter, and we believe they’re going in,” Todd said of Thompson.
Momentum Heading into the Playoffs
The Vikings have been battle-tested all season. Those gut-wrenching losses in the regular season become lessons for the state playoffs. The Vikings have one regular-season game left against a tough Prospect team on Wednesday. But the game allows the team a chance to build some momentum heading into the playoffs. Though they took their lumps, the Vikings are starting to gel at the right time. In a single-game elimination tournament, anything can happen. Confidence and momentum are a team’s best friend.
Conclusion
The Vikings’ 56-50 win over Lyons was a much-needed victory. It showed the team that they can beat good teams and come together when it matters most. With the state playoffs looming, Fremd is starting to build the confidence and momentum they need to make a deep run.
FAQs
* What was the score of the game?
+ Fremd won 56-50 against Lyons.
* How many losses did Fremd have before this win?
+ Fremd had five losses before this win.
* Who scored 11 points for Fremd in the third quarter?
+ Ella Todd scored 11 points in the third quarter.
* Who finished with nine rebounds for Fremd?
+ Isabella Del Mar finished with nine rebounds.
