Girls Basketball: Alex Shermulis leads Providence past Queen of Peace
Updated: November 30, 2011 9:21PM
Starting at point guard as a sophomore, Providence’s Alex Shermulis took her fair share of lumps at the varsity level last season.
Now as a junior, the varsity experience is nothing new as she again leads the Celtics.
Playing the point for a team that starts just one senior with two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman, Shermulis is more comfortable with each passing game.
That comfort was on display Wednesday as she scored 14 points and dished out four assists in Providence’s 60-33 nonconference win over Queen of Peace in New Lenox.
“The experience definitely helped, and now I can take on more responsibility,” Shermulis said. “Working the offense, I’m getting better. We played all summer together, and we’re gelling really well right now.”
Anna Novak led Providence (3-4) with 16 points while Cassidy Glenn added 10 points and eight rebounds. Hannah Lipman had 11 points for Queen of Peace (0-6).
“We’ve got kids coming back who are more comfortable with me and the system,” Providence coach Eileen Copenhaver said. “We have a great infusion of (younger) kids coming through the program, and the experience is paying off.”
Building an 18-4 lead through the middle of the second quarter, Providence saw it shrink to five points at 19-14 as Queen of Peace started to click. Quiet offensively early, Shermulis caught fire.
The junior scored 14 of Providence’s next 21 points over two-plus quarters, including a 3-for-3 showing from three-point range. Shermulis’ offensive showing helped Providence regain control, holding a 41-22 lead after her third three-pointer.
“It was just out of running the offense every time, and my teammates set me up really well,” Shermulis said with a smile.
For Providence, Glenn is coming off a season-ending injury to her left anterior cruciate ligament she sustained late last season.
“She’s not a year out of it, and it’s a tricky injury,” Copenhaver said. “In my mind, she’s doing really well, and above and beyond expectations. We bring her along, and she’s not a griper.”
© 2013 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment