AT A GLANCE
Conference West Suburban Silver
Home Court 100 S. Brainard, La Grange
2008-09 record 13-14
Coach Dawn Schabacker (19th year)
Top returners
Lindsay Esposito jr. G
Renata Butikas sr. G/F
Danielle Beck jr. F/C
KEY MATCHES
Dec. 1 vs. Hinsdale Central The Lions face one of their toughest conference foes early in the season
Jan. 30 vs. Riverside Brookfield LT’s coach always enjoys playing the Bulldogs because they always play fast-paced, and they always feature a style that is a little different than most teams
Feb. 12 vs. York The Dukes could present one last challenging foe before kicking off postseason play
By Marc Zarefsky
mzarefsky@mysuburbanlife.com
Lyons Township was a young team last season with three sophomores on the varsity squad. That didn’t stop the LT sophomore team from posting an undefeated 21-0 record for the season, a mark that has Lions coach Dawn Schabacker excited about the potential for this year’s varsity.
“Going 21-0 and I still had three sophomores on varsity, that’s a pretty good outlook for the future,” Schabacker said. “Adding those players to the varsity roster will definitely bring the (winning) attitude back.”
The Lions are coming off their first regional final appearance since 2005, and Schabacker thinks a regional title is a good goal for this year’s group to strive for. Leading the way for LT will be senior Renata Butikas and juniors Lindsay Esposito and Danielle Beck.
Esposito will control the offense from the point guard position, and is also threatening as a shooter. Beck has quick feet for a forward/center, and Schabacker is impressed by the junior’s improved post game in and around the paint. Butikas, meanwhile, is a leader on the court who takes charge as the Lions’ defensive specialist.
Butikas will be crucial for the Lions as they look to develop an identity as a defensive team who is then able to push the ball.
“Right now we’re concentrating on a lot of little things and the kids have done a nice job in the offseason of working together, and I really think that’s going to pay off,” Schabacker said. “We’re starting better now than where we were at the end of last season.”
The Lions will kick off this year’s campaign with the LT tournament that begins Friday, Nov. 20, and ends Saturday, Nov. 28. Those games, contrary to the rest of the Lions’ home games, will be played on the school’s south campus.
LT will also take part in the Wheaton North Invitational in December, where the Lions will see several different styles of play that Schabacker hopes will help her team grow and play its best basketball by the end of the season.
