Lately, Aurora Central Catholic coach LeVada Smith said that a point of emphasis with junior guard Grace Grunloh has been trying to get her to go to the basket.
Smith knows that Grunloh can shoot the 3-pointer, but he wanted to see her utilize other skills to help make her game even more diverse.
“For the last week or two, we’ve been trying to talk to her about not settling for 3-point shots,” Smith said. “Last year, she had to improve her game, getting to the basket and stuff like that.
“We’re trying to say, ‘Hey, we need a little bit more of that.’”
Grunloh took that to heart Tuesday night. Her first six points all came from the free-throw line for the Chargers in a 73-48 nonconference victory over host Kaneland in Maple Park.
Showing off her expanded game, Grunloh finished with 13 points for ACC (14-2). Riley Cwinski led all scorers with 19 points. Sofia Corral had 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Sam Kerry paced Kaneland (11-6) with 17 points, while Kendra Brown added 12 points.
What helped Grunloh? She has the mentality to take to coaching like Smith offered. She knows that if she can do this, it’s only going to make her better complement to Corral and Cwinski.
“I’m definitely trying to get out of my comfort zone this year and try to take it to the basket more,” Grunloh said. “Because I know I can shoot. I just want to add more parts to my game.
“I’m trying to do every part of the game that I can for my team.”
Grunloh is a three-year varsity starter for the Chargers, so she’s no stranger to being on the court for big games and big moments. But Smith still felt there was more to unlock in her game.
That’s why he challenged her to pursue those traits.
“We know you can shoot, but if you start going to the basket, your point totals will go up,” Smith said. “If they try to take that away, you still have the option of stepping outside to the 3-point line.
“We had a very good conversation after our last game saying, ‘We need you to be doing this. Don’t settle. Be aggressive.’ It was nice for her to respond in that way.”
Grunloh ended the first quarter with four free throws as she established her moves to the basket.
She also has great role models in Cwinski and Corral. Cwinski does her best scoring work going downhill. Corral loves to get to the basket, in addition to her skills distributing as a point guard.
Grunloh has observed both of them perfect their crafts.
“I definitely have learned a lot from them,” Grunloh said. “Just seeing them be able to take it to the basket and score off of it, I’m just trying to help as best as I can and try to do it for myself as well.”
ACC led 35-20 at halftime and managed to keep Kaneland at arm’s length the rest of the way.
The Knights were without freshman Grace Brunscheen, who recently broke her wrist. Sophomore Sophia Rosati scored eight points with her increased playing time off the bench.
“Some of the girls have had to step into new roles,” Kaneland coach Brian Claesson said. “That was kind of throwing them into the fire against a really good team.
“(Rosati) was one that was like, ‘It’s time to step up.’”
ACC has high hopes for a deep run this postseason, so wins like this against a quality Class 3A team in Kaneland will go a long way for their confidence.
“I’m really excited,” Grunloh said. “I’m excited for the playoffs. I think we’re going to go far.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
