Loyola's Unstoppable Defense Propels Team Past Fenwick, 52-24
In a game where shots weren't falling, the Loyola Ramblers relied on their stifling defense to outmaneuver their opponents. On Monday, the team led by just three points after the first quarter, but its relentless pressure on ballhandlers and constant communication allowed it to stay in control of the game.
Senior guard Marycait Mackie, who scored 11 points and grabbed two rebounds, credited the defense for fueling the team's energy. "We're feeding each other off, switching, talking, communicating," she said. "That's where we start, whether shots are falling or not." The Ramblers' success on defense has been a constant throughout the season, with low scores against their first three opponents.
Senior guard Kaitlyn McGovern was instrumental in limiting Fenwick guard Avani Williams to just nine points, using effective face-guarding tactics. "Kaitlyn's our glue," said coach Jeremy Schoenecker. "She provides a lot of energy on one side of the floor." The team's emphasis on communication has been key to its defensive success.
The Ramblers allowed just 14 points in the second half, as they applied pressure that Fenwick couldn't handle. Their offense thrives when they can force live-ball turnovers and get out in transition, where their guards excel. Junior guard Madison Locke scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds, while junior forward Emily Naraky had a standout game with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
"We emphasize communication all the time," said Locke. The team's connection on defense is already evident this season, which has contributed to its success in recent years. They have won two state championships in Class 4A and appeared in the Final Four of the IHSA playoffs last season.
Coach Schoenecker stressed the importance of building a defensive culture within the team. "It's all about creating that culture and building it," he said. The Ramblers' buy-in on defense has paid off, as they continue to look strong heading into their next game.
In a game where shots weren't falling, the Loyola Ramblers relied on their stifling defense to outmaneuver their opponents. On Monday, the team led by just three points after the first quarter, but its relentless pressure on ballhandlers and constant communication allowed it to stay in control of the game.
Senior guard Marycait Mackie, who scored 11 points and grabbed two rebounds, credited the defense for fueling the team's energy. "We're feeding each other off, switching, talking, communicating," she said. "That's where we start, whether shots are falling or not." The Ramblers' success on defense has been a constant throughout the season, with low scores against their first three opponents.
Senior guard Kaitlyn McGovern was instrumental in limiting Fenwick guard Avani Williams to just nine points, using effective face-guarding tactics. "Kaitlyn's our glue," said coach Jeremy Schoenecker. "She provides a lot of energy on one side of the floor." The team's emphasis on communication has been key to its defensive success.
The Ramblers allowed just 14 points in the second half, as they applied pressure that Fenwick couldn't handle. Their offense thrives when they can force live-ball turnovers and get out in transition, where their guards excel. Junior guard Madison Locke scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds, while junior forward Emily Naraky had a standout game with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
"We emphasize communication all the time," said Locke. The team's connection on defense is already evident this season, which has contributed to its success in recent years. They have won two state championships in Class 4A and appeared in the Final Four of the IHSA playoffs last season.
Coach Schoenecker stressed the importance of building a defensive culture within the team. "It's all about creating that culture and building it," he said. The Ramblers' buy-in on defense has paid off, as they continue to look strong heading into their next game.
gotta say, i think fenwick got played hard by loyola's D 
they were able to shut down avani williams and limit the damage from the rest of the team. coach schoenecker's emphasis on building a defensive culture is pretty genius 
. it's not just about individual players making highlight-reel plays, but about the team working together to create that stifling defense.
️. it's like they're playing a different game than everyone else. and kaitlyn mcgovern is literally the real MVP 
. she's the glue that holds the team together on defense, and i'm not surprised coach schoenecker praises her so much.
. they're definitely a force to be reckoned with in their league right now 
! I mean, 52-24? That's a joke! Loyola's defense was straight fire 
, all that pressure and communication, it's like they had an extra player on the court 
, holding down Avani Williams' scoring chances to almost nothing. The Ramblers are definitely a team to watch this season, they're built for defense 
. But let's be real, Fenwick got outplayed and outcoached 
.
. Their communication and switching skills are top-notch, it's like they have a sixth sense on defense 
. And let's be real, when your offense is clicking too, you're unstoppable 
! The Ramblers' defense has been the real MVP all season long, and I'm loving the way they're buying into coach Schoenecker's system 
. They're building that defensive culture and it's paying off in a big way 
. Can't wait to see what they do next! 
, like they're trying to brainwash the players into following their lead
I'm tellin' ya, back in my day we didn't need a bunch of analytics to figure out how to shut down opponents... just pure old-fashioned grit and determination! 
The Loyola Ramblers are doin' it the right way, focus on defense first and offense will take care of itself. They're like a well-oiled machine, each player knowin' their role and executin' it flawlessly. And that coach Schoenecker's got 'em wired on communication... I mean, I've seen some teams try to switch up strategies every week but these guys are all about the process! 
. These Ramblers are buildin' something special, I'm rootin' for 'em all the way! 
. They're always talking, switching, and communicating 
. When they can force turnovers and get out in transition, watch out! 
Madison Locke and Emily Naraky are like two dynamic duos 
.
️. They're proving that good defense can win games all by itself