Ally Pape, Asia Kobylarczyk star in Maine South's win over Lake Zurich

Maine South guard Ally Pape got right back in the gym last summer after the Hawks lost to Loyola in the IHSA Class 4A state playoffs.

Pape knew she needed to step up her performance because the Hawks would be graduating guard Meegan Fahy, one of the top guards in the state. Pape had to shake her timidness, knowing she was stepping into a bigger role for her senior season.

Throughout summer league tournaments and AAU club basketball, Pape found that confidence, which showed in Maine South’s 47-39 win over Lake Zurich.

Whether it was knocking down a three-pointer or anticipating a pass and getting the steal, Pape provided it for her team. She blocked three shots — one of which came with her team clinging to an eight-point lead — scored five points, and came up with the game-clinching steal.

When Maine South was trying to clinch the win, the ball was in Pape’s hands. For her, that shift in mentality has proved fruitful. Pape finished with 19 points and six rebounds.

“Realizing that I need to step up as a senior,” Pape said of her development this season. “I’ve just gained my confidence a little bit more because I know I was kind of timid the last three years, just not being there mentally.”

Pape wasn’t the only Hawks player to develop their game in the offseason. Forward Asia Kobylarczyk has improved her ballhandling and three-point shot. Kobylarczyk, who scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds, confidently stepped into a three-pointer from the top of the key when the Hawks were struggling offensively in the first quarter.

Pape and Kobylarczyk are developing into more prominent roles, which is key for Maine South this season.

“She's always fighting,” Pape said of Kobylarczyk. “She started basketball in seventh grade, and this is where she's gotten. It's amazing to see her develop because she's gotten so good.”

Defense is what allowed the Hawks to take control of the game. They swarm ballhandlers and have the length to cut off any available passes. But Lake Zurich was able to penetrate the Hawks’ defense and use its size advantage to claw its way back into the game.

After trailing by 10 points at halftime, Lake Zurich cut the deficit to five in the third quarter after a 6-0 run before Kobylarczyk knocked down a three to stop the run. Maine South held Lake Zurich’s Avery Cooper — a Creighton commit — to five points.

“Percentage-wise, she's one of our top three-point shooters,” coach Jeff Hamann said of Kobylarczyk’s shooting development. “She’s really stepping up this year defensively, as well. She's got length, which causes problems for people, and against Lake Zurich, she was outsized a little bit, but she's still battling.”

Maine South needed the win after dropping its last two games against Glenbrook South and Lyons. Pape said the Hawks took a few days to refocus and remember their goals.

The Hawks talked to their coaches and each other to get back on the same page.

“We were down on ourselves the last three days, but we were able to pick it up and talk to each other and kind of regroup,” Pape said.

At their best, the Hawks are a well-balanced offensive attack. Junior guard Amelia Fernandez scored six points, and senior guard Katie Barker scored five points. Hamann said Barker, Kobylarczyk and Pape are a big part of the Hawks. After losing two games against tough opponents, Tuesday’s win was paramount.

“I have really high hopes for this team,” Kobylarczyk said. “I'm positive we can go far.”