Giants run over by Rams in Grow the Game, but are off to strong 9-3 start to season

A key to Highland Park girls basketball’s successful (9-3) start this season has been the team’s defense.

But on Friday afternoon the Giants defense never got a chance.

DePaul Prep’s full-court press wreaked havoc on Highland Park, turning the Giants over time and time again and converting the takeaways into high-percentage opportunities en route to a 62-20 victory Jan. 3 at New Trier High School as part of the Grow the Game Showcase.

“We had a hard time breaking the press,” Giants coach Jolie Bechtel said. “When we did break the press we were undisciplined, just really didn’t get into any offense. And (the Rams) do a really nice job offensively and move the ball quickly once they get it.”

In spite of several turnovers, the Giants trailed just 9-8 near the end of the first quarter, but DePaul Prep ran off 19 unanswered points between then and just before halftime.

A Miami Martinez three-pointer stopped the Rams’ run, but it was too late; Highland Park could not recover.

Sophomore guard Kourtnie Halperin (7 points) earned the Giants’ player of the game honors, while Maddie Reitmeyer chipped in 6 points and 7 rebounds.

The weekend marked the fifth year of the Grow the Game Showcase, a women-centered event that features women-coached teams and women-officiated games. A record 49 teams played 33 games in this year’s showcase, and Highland Park was one of five hosts, welcoming 10 teams for five games on Saturday, Jan. 4.

Bechtel, whose Giants have participated in Grow the Game every season, was proud to be a host for the first time.

“I just feel really honored that we are hosting,” she said. “Teri (Rodgers, of New Trier) and Cara (Doyle, of St. Ignatius) and others who put this together are an elite group of coaches and it’s nice to be hosting with a group like that.”

The Giants responded in their second game of the showcase, topping Warren 34-28 to move to 9-3 on the season. Reitmeyer was the team’s MVP in the victory.

Four league wins are included in Highland Park’s record, giving them a leg up to repeat as Central Suburban North champions.

Halperin is a returning starter and All-Conference point guard and is joined in the rotation by leading scorer Miami Martinez, a junior forward; three-year varsity player Reese Crosby, a junior guard; four-year varsity player Reitmeyer, a senior forward; and Emily Calub, a freshman guard. The young Giants also roster three other sophomores, as well as two juniors and two seniors.

The Giants have made dramatic progress year over year following a winless campaign in 2020-’21 and 1-21 record in ’21-’22. Their 14 victories last season were two more than their 12 the year before that. The reigning conference champs are looking to take another step forward this season.

“We just have to stay disciplined,” Halperin said. “Our goal is to be undefeated in conference and I think we have to stay disciplined to do that.”

The Giants jump right back into CSL North play when they host Niles West on Tuesday, Jan. 7.  The second half of the conference slate starts Friday, Jan. 10, when Highland Park travels to Maine West.

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