BLOOMINGTON — Sophomore guard Maya Cobb watches and learns for Waubonsie Valley.
As an all-purpose sixth man, Cobb has the freedom of seeing what needs to be corrected before coming in off the bench and making things happen in a variety of ways for the Warriors.
“The role allows me to understand the energy of each game a bit and see how everything is going,” she said. “I just come in and try to change as much as I can on defense or offense.
“Tonight it was on offense.”
Cobb scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half Monday night as the Warriors beat Alton 55-53 in overtime in the Class 4A Illinois Wesleyan Supersectional at the Shirk Center.
On the 25th anniversary of the Ashley Luke-led team that reached the Class AA quarterfinals, Waubonsie (32-3) will play Nazareth (31-3) at 2 p.m. Friday in a state semifinal at Illinois State’s CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Sophomore guard Danyella Mporokoso contributed 21 points, six rebounds and eight steals for the Warriors. Her 3-pointer with 7.2 seconds remaining sent the game into overtime.
Senior forward Hannah Laub added 13 points, six rebounds and five steals. Cobb also chipped in two rebounds, two assists and a steal. But that’s not the biggest thing she brought to the table.
Entering the game at the 3:55 mark of the first quarter, Cobb scored seven straight points to ignite the Warriors’ first comeback.
“I think Maya’s the most determined player on this team,” Laub said. “I know she hates coming off the bench, but I think it’s the reason our coach does it — to keep her motivated.
“She came in, got things going, and she always brings that energy.”
The 5-foot-3 Cobb is quick, agile and ambidextrous. The natural left-hander showed off a sweet outside jumper, plus the ability to get into the lane and score with her right hand as well.
“My style is just playing free and open,” Cobb said. “I like to just go out there and play.”
Her older brother Ethan, who’s four years older and a former guard for Waubonsie, was her earliest inspiration.
“I just grew up watching his game and thinking I wanted to play like he did,” Cobb said.
Cobb has the positional flexibility to play either on or off the ball. She also has optimized the freedom from playing with Mporokoso, who generates a ton of defensive attention.
“I don’t know where we would have been without her,” Mporokoso said of Cobb. “She makes such a big impact when she comes in. She has worked very hard on her defense.
“Offensively, she just gives us what we need.”
The two frequently compete in practice, helping each other develop in the process.
“She is definitely a great shooter,” Mporokoso said.
In her first season playing on the varsity, Cobb has figured out how to impact the game with her heady play and feel for the intangibles.
“We knew from losing all of the seniors last year that I had to step up and become a go-to player,” Cobb said. “I took advantage of what I do.”
Cobb started some games at the start of the season, but Waubonsie coach Brett Love felt her range and versatility would help as that first prong off the bench.
“Maya gives us great balance,” he said. “We don’t lose anything or have any kind of letdown when she comes into the game. We try to get her in at the right time and get her into a good rhythm.
“She is always ready to go.”
Cobb, who’s averaging 8.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and an assist, knows the future is still now for the Warriors with Laub as their only senior starter.
“I just love the feeling of holding a plaque and winning,” Cobb said. “There’s nothing like winning, and we all wanted that feeling (Monday night).”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
