Senior point guard Ginger Younger is no longer the outsider for St. Edward.
At the start of last season, the Hampshire transfer was cast into the role of newcomer for the Green Wave, who would end producing a fourth-place finish in the state in Class 1A.
“I really wanted to be an asset and contributor to the team,” Younger said. “I was really out of the spotlight, and I didn’t feel like I was a big part of what happened.
“Now, it’s different. And this feels like one of the greatest nights of my life.”
Younger definitely had a good night Monday, scoring nine points as St. Edward rallied for a 57-51 win over Phillips in overtime in the Class 2A Dominican Supersectional in River Forest.
Junior guard Savannah Lynch scored 26 points and senior forward Jordin Sauls also had nine for the Green Wave (27-8), who qualified for the state finals for the seventh time in program history.
Senior forward Sanaii McPherson added eight points and a team-best 11 rebounds for St. Edward, which advanced to play at 4 p.m. Thursday against Byron (32-2) in the state semifinals at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
The Green Wave overcame a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter and forced OT on Younger’s baseline drive with 20 seconds remaining and Sauls’ layup with 10 seconds left.
“Ever since she came her last year, she has just been great to be around,” Lynch said of Younger. “She has that intensity on defense and she knows how to score and look for her teammates.
“She does everything on the floor we need her to do.”
Younger bookended her performance with an electric start and a superb finish. Her five early points that included a 3-pointer sparked the Green Wave to a 16-2 lead in the first quarter.
Junior guard Layne Dawson, who contributed two points, six rebounds and a team-best five assists, praised Younger afterward.
“Ginger always makes great passes and great decisions out there,” Dawson said. “She plays with poise and energy. She made that great shot there to get us back into the game.
“She always knows when to shoot, pass or make the right option.”
Younger, a Judson recruit, is averaging nine points, two assists and two steals. Her interplay with Lynch is a crucial part of St. Edward’s attack. The two forged an instant connection last season.
“I wanted to come somewhere where there was a real bond,” Younger said. “There’s a togetherness here that feels like a family. The biggest adjustment was just being incorporated into the team.”
A crucial player off the bench who averaged 4.5 points, Younger played in all 38 games last winter. The graduation of guard Elizabeth Leadley opened the door for her to be a starter.
Younger also was handed the keys to the Green Wave’s car by running the point.
“I want to be the one who gets everybody involved and makes the right passes, whether they’re a bench player or a shooting guard,” Younger said. “This season has just been way different than what I went through last year.”
The 5-foot-5 Younger also played receiver in flag football last fall for St. Edward. The experience helped with her toughness, discipline and desire to be a physical presence.
Her father Darryl was her earliest coach and the catalyst for her involvement with basketball. She’s the second of four children.
“My older sister didn’t really like basketball the way I did,” Younger said. “My dad gave me the love for the game. One of the reasons I play so hard is to impress him.
“It just made (Monday night) so special and wonderful.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
