Lincoln-Way West’s Reagan McCracken was red-hot on offense during the first half.
Then, the shot opportunities and points dried up in the second half for the sophomore guard.
But that didn’t bother coach Ryan White. She was still doing her job in the final 16 minutes.
“She’s always out there as a defender,” White said of McCracken. “She knows everywhere she needs to be. She can defend bigger players and she can defend smaller players.”
McCracken came up big in the first half Thursday night, scoring nine points on three 3-pointers to spark Lincoln-Way West to a 48-42 victory over the host Griffins in the Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional championship game in Frankfort.
Sophomore guard Mackenzie Roesner scored a team-high 13 points for the Warriors (22-11), who won their fifth regional in program history. Caroline Smith added eight points and nine rebounds despite foul trouble all night.
While Heaven Ward came off the bench and went on a spurt in the fourth quarter with four free throws and four rebounds, McCracken got things going early with her trio of 3-pointers.
“I was just trying to block out the audience, and I knew this was a big game on the line,” McCracken said. “I had to step up. That was one of my best shooting games, yes.”
Alaina Vargas scored 16 points and Mia Limpin added 13 for Lincoln-Way East (20-13)
In the second half, the Griffins paid a little more attention to McCracken when she had her hands on the ball. Several times, she passed off instead of shooting and was held scoreless.
“I was going for assists and lockdown defense in the second half,” McCracken said. “I can do that if the shot’s not there.”
Now, the third-seeded Warriors take on second-seeded Lockport (28-4) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Rich Township Sectional. The Porters swept the SouthWest Suburban Conference series.
Although the Warriors are maintaining focus on the present, it’s still fun to think about a team with two sophomores and junior guards Molly Finn and Ava Tisch returning for next season.
“Next week will be a tough game,” McCracken said of the semifinal matchup with Lockport. “And the next few years will be amazing. We have good people coming in, and it should be fun.”
Roesner wouldn’t mind having McCracken around for the next couple of years.
“She’s always there for everyone,” Roesner said of McCracken. “Since the start of the season, she’s had such a big part in helping us both on defense, rebounding and offense.
“We played together in travel and we played together in junior high and now here in high school. We know our games pretty well.”
White, who called McCracken the “fifth option” on a talented offensive team, also is pleased to have so much returning talent, especially a couple of sophomores who played big roles in an important win for the regional title.
“When Reagan is shooting well and Mackenzie is shooting well, we feel complete,” White said. “Caroline is going to do her thing. Molly is going to do her thing.
“With Caroline in foul trouble, we switched gears a little bit.”
McCracken said she’s not sure how or why she started playing basketball, but it’s her only sport — and it’s a sport that she loves.
“I love the people you meet in basketball,” she said. “You meet great friendships with your teammates. They are always there to support you.”
The Warriors have had an impressive season, but they also went through some blowout losses they would like to forget.
“It’s been an amazing season even though we’ve had some ups and downs,” McCracken said. “We always have been able to support each other and push through it. And here we are.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
