As the Oak Lawn Community High School girls basketball team battled in the Illinois High School Association Regional semifinal last week against Fenwick, junior Jacky Canales truly came through in the clutch. She drove the lane, took the shot, and hit the runner as the buzzer sounded to give the Spartans a thrilling 43-41 victory and advance to Regional Final.
While that may have been one of the most exciting moments of the season, Canales’ contributions to the team all season long were much than just one moment. She was a model of consistency for Oak Lawn with leadership on offense, 30 three-point baskets, and a 72.2 free-throw percentage (which led the team). She also earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors in the South Suburban Conference Red.
“Jacky has been a model of consistency and a steadying influence on the court as our starting point guard throughout the 2023-24 season,” head coach Mark Sevedge said. “Jacky handled the responsibility of operating the offense with the ball in her hand from start to finish. She improved each and every game by limiting turnovers and becoming a threat to score the ball as well.”