Publications & Sites 
Loyola rolls past Von Steuben
Loyola's Maggie Nick gets the ball away from Von Steuben's Molrienna Dichosa during their regional game at Mather High School February 13, 2013. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media
CHICAGO — The Loyola girls basketball team scored its first five baskets on layups — three by junior guard Maggie Nick — and the Ramblers didn’t let up Wednesday in their 61-22 win over Von Steuben in the Class 4A regional semifinals at Mather.
The Ramblers, who are seeded fourth in their own sectional, led the 14th-seeded Lady Panthers 23-0 and then 43-7 at intermission before putting on the brakes and sitting their starters in the second half.
“We wanted to come out and be aggressive,” Loyola senior guard Anna Schueler said. “We know defense is our strength, and it’s the backbone of our team.”
Loyola (21-7) improved to 16-0 when holding opponents to less than 40 points.
“We really stress defense, especially because it helps us on nights when we struggle offensively,” Loyola coach Jeremy Schoenecker said. “It’s something we work on consistently at practice.”
Nick led all scorers with 11 points, while Loyola sophomore guard Tyra Mills added 10 points.
Loyola plays fifth-seeded New Trier in the regional final Thursday. The Ramblers lost to the Trevians 45-43 on Nov. 24, but Schueler did not play in the game because of a knee injury.
“It was tough watching that first one,” Schueler said. “To lose after we were leading them at the half left a little bit of a bad taste in our mouth.”
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Feb. 21 to read more about the Loyola girls basketball team.
