Serpe enjoys playing defense for Scots
HUNTLEY — Like going for a steal in the open court, Cassidy Serpe didn’t hesitate her answer.
“For me, it’s always been about defense,” Serpe, a Huntley Class of 2024 alumna and now a McHenry County College Scot, said. “I would say for ever, since my junior year in high school. If there’s a shot that’s open, though, I’ll take it.”
The Scots are off to a 5-1 start this season under the direction of new coach Kent Jones. MCC downed Joliet, 71-56 on Nov. 9, before a 75-50 win over South Suburban Nov. 12 in non-conference play. Serpe can shoot, as well, scoring 12 and 11 points. Serpe added 16 points in a 93-25 MCC triumph over Illinois Valley Nov. 19.
“I originally committed to go to Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, but didn’t like the distance. I reached out to coach Jones after a high school all-star game,” Serpe said.
Serpe was an all-Fox Valley Conference selection last season for the Red Raiders.
Also on the Scots roster is Red Raiders alumna Alex Strzelecki, who is a sophomore.
Sophomore Zoie Lewis is also a defense first player. Lewis set a personal best five charges drawn in a win over South Suburban. She also had six steals and scored 14 points. Lewis, from South Elgin, has grown her defensive skills.
“Lewis is amazing,” Jones said. “She has gained more confidence than last season and is always at the right place at the right time. It was a good game. We had a rough start, but then we settled down. We wanted to put more pressure on the ball and rotate well.”
Season outlook
Jones gave some thoughts on the team’s style of offense, which has included games of more than 80 field goal attempts. The team averages nearly 80 points per game, with 30 percent shooting for treys.
“We like to get a three-pointer off in the first 15 seconds of each possession, then we’ll run a set play. Our whole team can shoot three-pointers,” Jones said.
Jones, who resides in McHenry, was an assistant women’s coach for one plus year before being named head coach this spring. His basketball career includes playing for an Iowa prep state champion in its largest class, in Burlington, in 1987.
“It taught me the importance of having a role on the team, a job,” Jones said. “I didn’t play our state title year, but I enjoyed it. We had a D-I player, Sam Williams, whose brother Jeff played with the NBA Milwaukee Bucks.”
Volleyball season ends
Huntley’s connections on the McHenry County College women’s volleyball team both earned all-Skyway Conference team honors. The team completed a 28-6 season after a second round loss in the Region IV post-season tournament.
Sophomore Amanda Schaffer, a Huntley resident, was named Skyway Conference First Team. Soph Emily Willis was selected second team. Head coach Kyle McCall was named league coach of the year.
Also selected for the Scots, who won the conference title, first team freshman Jessica Porten of Fox Lake and freshman Anne Eschenbach of Downers Grove. Selected to the second team was freshman setter Courtney Komperda, a Dundee-Crown alumna. Eschenbach and Porten were also named All-Region IV.
“Willis and Schaffer will both continue to play volleyball,” McCall said. “They have several options that they are considering but no decisions have been made.”
MCC beat Black Hawk College in straight sets, 25-14, 25-12, 25-20 but lost to Milwaukee Area Technical College, 3-2, at Madison College Nov. 9. MCC won the first set, 25-16, lost 25-22, came back for a 25-21 win but lost 25-15, 15-11 tiebreak.
