Feb. 12--Isabelle Spingola's diverse skill set poses a problem for Young's opponents -- and its coaching staff.
The 6-foot senior excels both in the paint and on the perimeter for the Dolphins (22-5), who regained the Tribune's No. 1 ranking after winning the city championship Sunday.
"When she's doing a combination of shooting and playing inside, we're a better team," Young coach Corry Irvin said. "It's all kind of by feel now. At the next level, she will probably play a stretch four.
"When you have someone who can go inside or outside, each game you have to figure out what they are doing well that game and put them in that position. It took us some time to figure it out."
Kiara Lewis, Young's senior point guard, is the focus of most opposing defenses, giving Spingola the freedom to play as she pleases. The Marquette recruit, who averages 15 points and seven rebounds per game, said it sometimes is difficult to choose which one of her many skills to feature.
"Obviously, I want to keep shooting because that's what I'm very good at, but I don't want to take bad shots and hurt my team," Spingola said. "That's when I will look to drive more, and sometimes I don't want to drive too much because I'm not super good at handling the ball."
Spingola played a secondary role for the 28-2 Dolphins last season. She spent most games circling the 3-point line without much defensive pressure because Young had numerous scoring options.
This season, Lewis, an Ohio State recruit, and Spingola were the only returnees with significant experience. The influx of new players led to an adjustment for the Dolphins, including Irvin. Young lost three games to in-state opponents -- a rarity for the program -- before January.
"Last year (Isabelle) might have been the fifth option," Irvin said. "I think it took some time, some us not finding her and putting her in positions to do well. I think she's definitely rebounding better and starting to get a better feel for what to do on the court."
The Dolphins' problems are in the past. Young defeated then-No. 1 Morgan Park on Sunday to capture its eighth consecutive city title. Ranked No. 22 in her class by ESPNU, Lewis credits her growing chemistry with Spingola as one of the factors behind Young's resurgence.
"We've been playing together for four years, and we definitely have that trust in each other," Lewis said. "When I have the ball, I always make sure I know where she is to get her the ball. She always sets herself up to be in the right position, and our chemistry has definitely gotten stronger on the court."
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
