The Chicago Sky has selected the Maine West High School as the seventh weekly winner of its 2017 “High School Team of the Week” program presented by Robert Morris University Illinois. The Lady Warriors receive this honor after being nominated for their accomplishments on the court, in the classroom and in the community.
The Lady Warriors record is currently 19-3 including winning their Thanksgiving tournament at Hoffman Estates, and their Christmas tournament at Dundee Crown. This team wants to be known for their tenacious play, and their love for the game. The Lady Warriors long-time head coach Derril Kipp, passed away this past summer, after coaching at Maine West for 35 years. The players are committed to building upon the legacy of excellence that he has left for each of them and this season that tenacity, excellence and love of the game has been on display.
The girls strive for that excellence both on and off the court. The team has a 3.7 GPA and they are also known for their work in the local community. The team accompanied a youth team from the Des Plaines Park District to a Sky game and spent time encouraging and inspiring the youth to continue to work hard at basketball and in school. The Lady Warriors volunteer at the Park District Winter Wonderland every Christmas and recently they also volunteered for Feed My Starving Children at their facility in Libertyville.
Supported by Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, each Chicago Sky “High School Team of the Week” award winner will be invited to enjoy a Chicago Sky game, where they will have the opportunity to watch the world’s best female basketball players. At halftime of the game, the team will be honored at center court.
All teams that compete in IHSA class 1A, 2A, 3A or 4A competitions are eligible to win a weekly honor. Nominations from parents, coaches, school faculty members and players are welcome and should be completed on the Chicago Sky website (www.chicagosky.net) through February 22.
At the end of the 10-week program, each weekly winning team will be entered to win the “High School Team of the Year” award for 2017. The winner will be determined through an online voting process on the Sky’s website (www.chicagosky.net). The winning team will be announced on Opening Night 2017.