Captain, chief, 1,000-point scorer. Gabi Bednar units normal for Windfall. ‘You count on this as your norm.’

Like quite a lot of children, Windfall’s Gabi Bednar tried quite a few sports activities rising up.

First soccer and monitor, however after her brother began taking part in basketball in center college, she gave {that a} whirl. Bednar preferred it a lot she determined to keep it up completely.

That has modified the arc of her life, that includes the 3-point arc, and has now put her able to excel on the school stage whereas pursuing a bachelor’s diploma in advertising.

“Powerful as nails,” Celtics coach Eileen Copenhaver stated. “Gabi loves the sport and offers nice effort day by day. She’s constant, and then you definately count on this as your norm.”

The 5-foot-6 Bednar, a Lockport resident, performed at Kelvin Grove Center Faculty below the watchful eye of former DePaul star Sally Anderson. It was simply part of her improvement.

The remainder of it was pure arduous work and dedication to the sport.

Bednar, who’s averaging 12 factors and capturing 40% from 3-point vary, scored 13 factors Saturday to steer Windfall (11-12) in a 38-33 loss on the Coach Kipp Hoopfest.

All that makes her a stable complement to fellow scorers in junior level guard Molly Knight and senior capturing guard Sydney Spencer.

“I was within the health club on a regular basis — capturing and capturing and capturing,” Bednar stated. “At all times ensuring I had an arc on the ball. I at all times centered on these little particulars.”

That paid off instantly in her highschool profession as she made her varsity debut as a freshman. Positive, it was nerve-wracking.

The management of 1 teammate particularly, nevertheless, made all of the distinction. It got here from Ashley Raymer, who ended up being a 1,000-point scorer for the Celtics.

“She took me below her wing,” Bednar recalled. “I felt extra assured along with her cheering me on and supporting me.”

Quick ahead to Bednar’s senior yr, and coincidentally, she’s additionally a 1,000-point scorer.

So far as management, she has paid it ahead as properly, taking freshmen forwards Taylor Healy and Carina Diorio below her wing.

Healy and Diorio have been a bundle of nerves coming into highschool, similar to Bednar as soon as was, however her purpose was to make them as comfy as they may very well be on varsity.

Spencer stated Bednar was very welcoming, at all times there to information them.

“I similar to to be calm and picked up,” Bednar stated of her management model. “I prefer to suppose earlier than I converse. I attempt to preserve the temper as constructive as attainable.”

The caveat to all that’s her admission she will be able to use a “sterner tone on and off the courtroom,” however solely when needed.

Copenhaver confirmed that Bednar, a captain, units a great instance for Celtics along with her work ethic. That features, as an illustration, taking a management function within the weight room.

Her offseason routine contains lifting, working, taking part in along with her membership group and, after all, capturing.

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There’s one other facet of her management value noting. Windfall’s ladies basketball program takes half in a unity day initially of the season earlier than the video games start.

Bednar and Spencer talked about vital subjects like communication and management.

“My speech was about how we have to stick collectively as a group,” Bednar stated. “We have to suppose as a gaggle and study and develop from one another.”

Her management and skill to shoot is taking her to St. Francis in Joliet after commencement. She dedicated simply earlier than her closing varsity season.

Some youngsters wait to commit, however that wasn’t an possibility for Bednar.

“I needed to verify I used to be going to have that chance,” she stated, “and never lose it.”

Gregg Voss is a contract reporter for the Day by day Southtown.