First and foremost, Kyra Lilly is a soccer player for Kaneland. But the main thing she does in that sport — constant running, all over the field — serves her well in her second sport.
The Lake Forest College soccer recruit has learned along the way that as long as she does the same thing on the basketball court, she’s doing something right for the Knights.
“If I’m just running, I figure I’m doing something if I’m going as hard as I can,” Lilly said.
Lilly, who does just about everything for the Knights, stayed on course Tuesday night.
The senior guard continues to step up as a key third offensive option and tied teammate Daniela Ridolfi for game-high scoring honors in a 53-22 nonconference win over Plano in Maple Park.
Lilly and Ridolfi each scored 13 points for Kaneland (13-5), while Kalie Brown added seven points and seven rebounds. Chloe Rowe paced Plano (7-8) with eight points and seven rebounds.
Although Lilly doesn’t play AAU basketball, she has no qualms accepting what her role is, especially since her only exposure to the sport is during the winter.
“I’m trying to give it my all because I never did AAU or anything,” Lilly said. “I’m more of an effort type of player than skill.”
That’s perfectly fine with Kaneland coach Brian Claesson.
“She literally does everything for us,” Claesson said of Lilly. “She does everything we ask of her. Defensively, she’s a coach on the floor. She’s been playing really great for us.”
Grace Brunscheen has become the Knights’ go-to offensive player this season. Amani Meeks has been the second option. Lilly’s emergence on that end has been welcomed by Claesson.
“We’ve been looking for that third option for scoring after Amani and Grace,” Claesson said of Lilly. “And she’s been stepping up.”
Coming out of the holiday break, Kaneland faced a sluggish start Tuesday, leading only 7-6 late in the first quarter. Plano took advantage during those eight minutes.
“We play like that sometimes,” Plano coach Tristan Spivey said of the Reapers. “I told the girls after the first quarter not to let the game get away from us.
“When you play good teams like this, and it’s good to play them, this is what we’ve been doing. There’s a little segment where we start to let it get away and they start hanging their heads.”
Kaneland got rolling in the second quarter, with a 26-0 run pushing the lead to 33-6. Ridolfi scored seven straight points in that spurt and Lilly ended the burst with three straight layups.
“It took us a little while in the first quarter to kick the rust off a little bit,” Claesson said. “Second quarter, I thought we started playing our brand of basketball and playing defense.”
Plano experienced a scare in the second half as freshman point guard Le’Niya Viser went down with an injury. Spivey hopes it’s not serious but expects her to miss time.
“She’s been really good, handles the ball for us,” Spivey said. “She breaks the press on her own.”
It’s basically a new team this season for Kaneland, and even Claesson has been impressed with how quickly things are clicking.
“A lot of different roles, I think it’s coming along faster than I thought,” Claesson said. “Now, we’re just harping on being more consistent.”
Lilly agreed with that assessment, and it even played out early on Tuesday.
“I think we are putting it together,” Lilly said. “The only problem is playing the full four quarters.”
One thing is for certain. No matter how things go, Lilly will be out there running around.
“I never have to sub her out,” Claesson said. “She just plays so hard and never gets tired. It’s awesome to have that.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
