Penn softball recruit Ana Cisek comes through as 3-point record-setter for Andrew. Payoff? ‘Puts a lot of time in.’

As her recent commitment proves, Andrew’s Ana Cisek puts a lot of effort into her academics.

The junior guard is ready to study finance in business school at Penn, an Ivy League school.

“I definitely have my eyes on the prize, and I take my academics very seriously,” said Cisek, who lists her main sport as softball. “I pride myself on working hard in the classroom.”

The same goes on the court as Cisek, who takes both sports seriously, puts in extra hours with a basketball trainer. She has set the program record for most 3-pointers made in a season.

That extra effort was on display Thursday night. Cisek scored 20 points and hauled down five rebounds to help the Thunderbolts pull off a 53-42 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over host Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.

Evan Gilleylen added nine points for Andrew (14-15, 5-10), while Christa Olson came off the bench and totaled seven rebounds and Katerina Berchos added six.

Carthage commit Brooke Baechtold came through with 18 points, seven rebounds and five steals for Lincoln-Way Central Central (10-19, 3-12). Brooke Katzmann added 11 points.

Cisek, meanwhile, made three 3-pointers against the Knights to brings her season total to 55. She recently broke what coach Bobby Matz confirmed was one of the oldest school records as Tiffany Rudak previously owned the mark with 51 during the 2000-2001 season.

“I didn’t have any idea I would be able to do that,” Cisek said of breaking the record. “Every time I go into the gym, I have the intention of getting 1% better every single day.”

She pointed out that working with a trainer has helped.

“I gained a lot of muscle, and it’s translating into having a longer range,” she said.

Cisek will play softball when she arrives at Penn in Philadelphia. Matz said that even though basketball is the second sport for the 5-foot-6 Cisek, she has been stellar at it.

“She works on her game a lot,” Matz said. “She puts a lot of time in. She pays attention to details that coaches notice but other kids probably take for granted.

“She plays the game really hard and intense at all times. She has a great attitude and has done an awesome job. I’m so happy we have her on our side.”

Gilleyen is happy to play alongside Cisek.

“She brings a lot of drive and hustles all of the time,” Gilleylen said of Cisek. “She’s such a good teammate. She always gets me motivated.”

Gilleylen also knows how to get her team motivated. Lincoln-Way Central led by as much as 17-7 and held the lead throughout the first half until Gilleylen scored her first basket at the buzzer on a putback to put the Thunderbolts ahead at 25-24.

She then scored seven points in the third quarter to help the Thunderbolts take a double-digit lead.

“That was definitely a momentum-shifter,” Cisek said of Gilleylen’s buzzer-beater. “She’s always going to the basket and hustling hard. It’s not a surprise that she got that rebound and last shot.”

Seedings were announced Thursday by the Illinois High School Association. Andrew drew the 10th seed in the 18-team Class 4A Rich Township Sectional. Lincoln-Way Central is 11th.

The Thunderbolts, who are aiming for a winning season, haven’t enjoyed being over .500 since 2017-18. They close the regular season Tuesday night with a home game against District 230 rival Stagg, Andrew beat the Chargers 37-34 on Jan. 9.

“We want it more than anybody else,” Cisek said. “We’re working hard in practice. We have our eyes set on the regional, and we’re working hard every day for that.

“We’re playing well, but we can get a little better.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.