Sophomore guard Savannah FitzSimons (#5) drives in for a transition layup as defenders close in. FitzSimons finished with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists, helping the Chiefs secure a 89-80 win over Joliet Junior College. Photo Courtesy of: Britt Crowe

By: Johnny Crouch, Sports & Activities Executive | Photos Courtesy of: Britt Crowe

Waubonsee women’s basketball picked up one of its most impressive wins of the early season on Thursday, Nov. 13, beating the Joliet Junior College Wolves 89–80 at Erickson Hall. Joliet came in ranked sixth nationally among NJCAA Division III programs, making the Chiefs’ victory a strong early statement for a determined Waubonsee squad.

Waubonsee spread the scoring around and moved the ball well all night, making 50 percent of their three-point shots and hitting 14 triples overall. Sophomore guard Niallie Evans led the Chiefs with 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds; freshman guard Josie Larson scored 19; while sophomore guard Anna-Marie Godina finished with 19 points and four rebounds. 

The game was back-and-forth from the opening tip. Godina opened with a corner three, and Larson followed with another three to give Waubonsee an early 6–0 edge. However, the Wolves’ barrage of corner threes and offensive boards kept the game tight; Waubonsee ended the first quarter on a buzzer-beating three from Evans to take a 23–22 lead into the break.

Waubonsee and Joliet traded momentum again in the second quarter. The Chiefs struggled at times inbounding the ball and gave up several offensive rebounds that allowed the Wolves to briefly take a 28–25 lead. Godina answered with an and-one layup, and after missing the free throw she grabbed her own rebound and kicked it out to Evans for a top-of-the-key three. Larson followed with a deep three of her own, and freshman guard Danielle Bulson set up Godina for another triple with a no-look pass to push the lead to 36–30. The pace stayed fast, with both teams forcing turnovers and scoring in transition. Waubonsee went into halftime up 44–40 behind Evans’ 14 first-half points.

Waubonsee stretched the lead in the third behind active ball movement and timely shots. Larson and Evans hit key three-pointers in the quarter as the Chiefs built a lead as large as 17, but the Wolves responded with aggressive offensive rebounding and a 14–0 run that trimmed the advantage to 66–63 heading into the fourth. Head coach Jim Williams singled out offensive rebounds as a problem during Joliet’s surge.

“The main problem was offensive rebounds. We gave them a lot of second-chance points at the time,” Williams said. 

The Chiefs opened the fourth with steadier offense, finding quality looks and connecting on a few key baskets that helped them regain control. Despite a late push by Joliet that cut the margin to seven with about a minute to go, Waubonsee closed the game at the free-throw line. Godina hit both of her free throws in the final moments to finish the 89–80 win. 

Evans’ all-around night set the table; she scored in transition, knocked down threes and created open looks for teammates throughout the game. Larson provided a steady perimeter threat, finishing with multiple threes and 19 points. Godina, who has been working through some early-season shooting woes, hit five of her seven shots from long range to propel the Chiefs past the Wolves.

Beyond the win itself, Thursday’s game continued to show signs of how much this year’s group has grown since the preseason. Both Williams and his players talked about the importance of experience, conditioning and chemistry, especially with a roster that now mixes seasoned sophomores with freshmen who played significant roles in high school.

For Godina, stepping into a larger leadership role has been one of the biggest changes from last season. After a freshman year where Waubonsee had only one sophomore (who was injured), she said it feels different coming into a season already understanding the pace, physicality and expectations of college basketball.

“It’s different now because I know what to expect,” Godina said. “In high school I was a leader, but the jump is different, not just the speed, but the fact that these teams have multiple very good players. I think it was just knowing how to practice, making sure everybody’s pushing themselves. Now we’re lifting, which we didn’t have last year, and we have a really good freshman class.” 

She added that part of her role is using her voice during tense stretches, even when emotions run high.

“Keeping our team under control and composed, even during hard times, that’s a big part of it,” Godina said. “I had to yell a little in that JJC game because we weren’t boxing out. But nobody takes anything personal. We all expect so much of each other now that it’s easy to lead.” 

Godina also opened up about the mental side of shooting, explaining that her early-season slump wasn’t about mechanics so much as confidence.

“I was putting so much pressure on myself the first two games,” Godina said. “I really just got back in the gym, got more shots up, and finally started feeling confident again. I had a point where I thought I forgot how to shoot.” 

With guidance from her coach and help from a sports psychologist she worked with growing up, Godina built a routine that grounds her before each game.

“My coach mentioned God, and I’m Catholic, so I figured maybe I needed to talk to God a little,” Godina said with a laugh. “Now I go sit outside the gym and pray before games. It felt a bit weird at first, but it helps. And having my teammates there telling me to keep shooting helped a ton.” 

While Godina steadied the team with timely threes, much of Waubonsee’s offense flowed through Evans. Williams didn’t hesitate to credit his point guard for controlling the tempo and handling Joliet’s pressure.

“Nia really just took over the game at times,” Williams said. “They had a hard time matching up with her. She’s another coach we have on the floor, and when the ball’s in her hand, it helps out a lot.” 

He also emphasized that the win didn’t erase the team’s areas of focus moving forward.

“Rebounding has to be something we win at if we want to dominate games,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how tall you are, it matters how physical you are.” 

Even so, Williams noted that games like this against a ranked, athletic opponent are exactly the kind of tests that reveal what the Chiefs can become.

Godina agreed, saying the win reinforced something the team already believed about itself.

“Getting a tough, gritty win like how we did just showed ourselves that we can play with tough and aggressive competitors,” Godina said. “Having those games under our belt gives us confidence. Nobody’s scared about these next games, we’re all excited.” 

The Chiefs head north for three straight road games, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Madison College, before returning home on Dec. 4 to host College of DuPage. With a 3–1 start and momentum building, Waubonsee now turns its focus to carrying Thursday’s poise, shooting and leadership into the rest of November.