March 04--North Lawndale coach Corey Morgan's background with Jada Thorpe suggested a seamless transition to varsity basketball for his freshman point guard.
Morgan and Thorpe had already teamed up for back-to-back elementary school state titles, with Thorpe playing up a grade in the second title.
But Thorpe's budding varsity career hit a snag in her first two weeks. The 5-foot-7 point guard struggled mightily in her first three starts against Zion-Benton, Trinity and Simeon.
"We put a lot of pressure on Jada, and it was a little rough for her at the start," Morgan said. "After the first three games, I brought her off the bench for a couple of games, and she even struggled through those two games."
The No. 10 Phoenix (22-11) can chuckle about those early issues after reaching state for the first time in program history. North Lawndale overcame a late slide to put together a solid playoff run to advance to Friday's Class 3A state semifinal against Highland (30-4) at Redbird Arena in Normal.
Thorpe's turbulent transition to varsity is no longer an issue, but during the first few weeks of the season, Morgan questioned whether Thorpe was ready for the promotion. The Phoenix sustained double-digit defeats to Proviso East and Batavia with Thorpe coming off the bench to fall to 2-3 on the season. On a whim, Morgan re-inserted Thorpe into the starting lineup before the sixth game against Westinghouse.
"We had three starters who were late to the bus for the Westinghouse game, so I put Jada back in the starting lineup and benched those girls," Morgan said. "She had 23 points that game and pretty much she hasn't looked back since then."
Thorpe, who leads the Phoenix with 14.1 points per game and has drained 62 3-pointers, said she just concentrated on helping her team during her second stint as a starter.
"I started off real slow and hadn't been playing like myself," Thorpe said. "I was still adjusting to the game of high school basketball. When we had a couple of players out before the Westinghouse game, my coach told me I had to step up and do what I had to do. I got back to my original self and been the same way since.
"After that game, I knew I was prepared for the rest of the season, and it gave me confidence."
Senior leadership and experience are usually vital ingredients for state-bound teams, but not for North Lawndale. The Phoenix don't have a senior on their roster.
Some players, Morgan said, come from rough backgrounds that make pressure situations on the court a non-issue compared to off-the-court situations.
"We do have a bright future because we are so young, and to be going so far this season and going to state is so huge for us," Thorpe said. "We never thought we would make it this far because of how young we are."
Morgan said the turning point came during a 48-46 quadruple-overtime win against defending 3A state champion Morton on Dec. 29 in the State Farm Classic in Bloomington. The Phoenix snapped Morton's 19-game winning streak dating back to last season and lifted their own record to 8-7.
Morgan said that victory made him emotional. His players took a different stance.
"The kids thought it was funny and ate it up," he said. "I gave them each individual hugs for beating the defending state champs. We went on a roll after that."
Junior center Kimyra McGhee, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the supersectional win against Johnsburg, said the win against over Morton sent a powerful message to the team.
"It motivated us a lot to go to state," said McGhee, one of seven juniors on the roster. "When we had a downfall in the middle of the season, we thought a lot about going downstate. We don't give up on each other on the court. We knew we had the potential to go downstate."
Morgan and his players insist the Phoenix are not satisfied with advancing to state for the first time. The Phoenix avenged two regular-season losses to Marshall by defeating the Commandos in the sectional finals.
The Phoenix have their eyes set on a rematch with Morgan Park. The Mustangs defeated the Phoenix 73-71 in the city quarterfinals on 15-footer at the buzzer.
"North Lawndale hasn't gone downstate, or never really past regionals," junior guard Kia Brooks said. "This is a big deal for North Lawndale history. We don't want it to be the end. We want to win state. We know we have the talent to do it."
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Class 3A schedule
North Lawndale (22-11) vs. Highland (30-4), noon
Morgan Park (30-3) vs. Morton, Ill. (31-3), 1:45 p.m.
Saturday's schedule
Third place, noon.
Championship, 1:45 p.m.
2015 final: Morton (Ill.) 47, Rochester 37.
Players to watch: DeAsa Almon, North Lawndale, 5-1 So. G (10.8 ppg.); Brandi Bisping, Morton, 5-11 Jr. F (14.6 ppg, 8.0 reb); Deja Cage, Morgan Park, 5-9 Sr. G/F (20.5 ppg, 4 reb); Amanda Ponce, Highland, 5-9 Sr. G (13.6 ppg, 4.5 reb); Jada Thorpe, North Lawndale, 5-7 Fr. G (14.1 ppg, 62 3-pointers);
