Starting all season for Nazareth, Mia Gage isn’t shying away from some pressure.
She’s a freshman forward on a Roadrunners squad with state aspirations.
Pressure? You bet.
Gage has welcomed the spotlight, tried to play her game and shake any potential butterflies that might pop up, all with the help of her teammates.
Helping host Nazareth to a convincing 56-33 East Suburban Catholic victory on Jan. 14 over visiting Marist, Gage totaled 14 points and 12 rebounds, including a timely 3-pointer.
“There’s always pressure,” Gage said. “Coming here to Nazareth, I had the team surrounding me. Every time I walk into the gym I know there are four other people on the court who are going to support me in everything I do.”
Senior forward Stella Sakalas led Nazareth with 26 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Junior guard Sophia Towne added 12 points, four assists and four steals.
Senior guard Livi Cosme led Marist with 11 points and four assists.
Gage, a 6-0 forward, hit a quick rhythm playing with her teammates, especially Sakalas, a four-year varsity player and a Brigham Young recruit.
Both players are able to control a game in the lane, giving Nazareth an athletic, imposing one-two punch in the post.
Gage put that impressive wingspan to good use dominating the boards in the Marist victory.
“Me and Stella, we kind of play the same way,” Gage said. “She sees that. That just uplifts me. Her being a senior, she’s picking up the freshman and helping me the whole season. It’s been great.”
Sakalas has been impressed with Gage’s immediate contributions.
“Mia’s talent speaks for itself,” Sakalas said. “She’s a very skilled player. We have a good team culture and good chemistry on and off the court. It’s easy for someone to join our team. We try and make everyone feel welcomed. She felt comfortable off the court and that translated onto the court.”
Nazareth led from the get-go but Marist did hang around, cutting a 14-point deficit to seven at 34-27 midway through the third.
Gage had an answer, drilling a corner 3 off a Towne assist.
“Me being tall and lengthy, I can do everything,” Gage said. “Coming to Naz, I had to play a role. The coaches have helped me a lot with that.”
Coach Ed Stritzel said he’s excited to see what the future holds for his talented freshman.
“With her frame, Mia is an amazing rebounder,” Stritzel said. “We’ve got to get her stronger finishing, but as she gets older into sophomore year, she’ll start making those layups she’s missing right now. She’s a perfect compliment (in our starting lineup).”
Sakalas had a big day offensively just two days after she tweaked her right ankle in a home win over Bolingbrook.
For Sakalas, there was no doubt. She was playing.
“I just planted weird, but it wasn’t that bad,” Sakalas said. “It was just something small. I’ll play through anything.”
Nazareth closed the game on a 22-4 run.
For Marist, Cosme and her teammates weren’t panicking.
The RedHawks just needed to zero in.
“We all need to be focused and ready,” Cosme, a North Central College recruit, said. “This was a wake-up call. It’s the middle of the season. We have to be focused and ready for all our games, especially with a couple tough games ahead (Fremd and Benet).”