Girls Basketball: Loyola’s Stralka shows versatility during win streak

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Loyola's Kathleen Stralka (23) blockd a shot attempt by Mother McAuley's Sharon Frigo. | Vincent D. Johnson~For Sun Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:31AM

K.C. Stralka was ready to be a bigger part of the team this season.

After playing a supporting performance last season as a varsity rookie, the 5-foot-11 senior now is one of Loyola’s major contributors on the 14th-ranked Ramblers.

“Last year, my role was to get a bunch of rebounds, but I wasn’t looked to for any scoring,” she said. “I would do all the small things that were needed.

“This year, we don’t have as many scorers as last year, so I get to do my own thing. We’ve all been switching off who’s going to step up. It’s fun to be part of that.

“I am making an impact in ways I didn’t last year.”

Stralka’s size and game are an advantage for the Ramblers. The 5-foot-11 sharp-shooter is able to create matchup problems for opponents.

“The biggest thing with K.C. is that she’s been able to expand her game,” Loyola coach Jeremy Schoenecker said. “She’s always been a good shooter, but she’s worked hard on attacking the basket. She’s now able to stretch the defense.”

Stralka realizes her unique ability.

“Every matchup is different,” she said. “Against Mother McAuley, which was small, I tried to use my size. Against bigger teams, I try and draw those bigger players out. I can work with it either way.”

Stralka scored a season-best 21 points in a win over Fenwick on Dec. 1. Last week, she scored four in a victory over Fremd, 10 in a win over Mother McAuley and six in a 53-50 overtime victory against Niles North. She’s also among the team leaders in rebounds, averaging more than six a game.

One of four captains on Loyola, Stralka also is embracing her responsibility as a leader. Freshman Sarah Elston, a 6-foot forward, is one player who Stralka has mentored this season.

“We play a similar style, and I find that she asks me a lot of questions,” Stralka said. “I see myself as someone who can help her.

“I love getting to know all the younger players.”

By going 3-0 last week, Loyola made a late push for a top seed at this week’s sectional meeting. The Ramblers hope to earn one of the first four seeds at the New Trier Sectional.

Loyola led by as many as nine in the fourth quarter Saturday, but Niles North fought hard down the stretch.

Mariyah Henley, who missed nearly three quarters while attending her grandmother’s funeral, sparked the comeback. The senior scored nine points in the final five minutes of the fourth to send the game into overtime.

After Alissa Hirsh gave the Vikings (13-10) a 50-48 advantage early in OT, it was all Loyola (18-6).

Michelle Ricolcol’s jumper at the 1:33 mark put the Ramblers ahead for good at 51-50. Colleen McShane then forced a Hirsh turnover, and Lauren Kriz iced the game with two free throws.

“We knew (Hirsh) was a good player from the beginning,” McShane said. “I wanted to pressure her more because we didn’t want her to get the ball to (Henley). I wanted to play her tight, and it worked.”