Girls Basketball: Niles North tries not to look too far ahead

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Skokie, 01/20/12--Glenbrook North's Sammie Von Rueden (left) guards as Alissa Hirsh of Niles North drives for the basket in Skokie, IL on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. | Shauna Bittle~for Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:31AM

Alissa Hirsh and Mariyah Henley are experts on the Niles North girls basketball program.

Both four-year varsity veterans believe this is the best team they’ve played on.

Even Saturday’s 53-50 overtime loss to No. 14-ranked Loyola was a sign the Vikings are a team to watch when the playoffs start next month.

Down by as many as nine in the fourth quarter, Niles North sent the game into OT behind Henley. Hirsh then gave the Vikings the early advantage in the extra period, but it was all Loyola after that.

“I think we did a great overall,” the point guard Hirsh said. “It’s tough not to get the win.”

Henley missed the entire half while attending her grandmother’s funeral. When the 6-footer entered the game at the 2:51 of the third quarter, the Vikings trailed by nine. Henley finished with a team-best 13 points, while Hirsh added 12 points.

Things were different a night earlier after the Vikings beat Glenbrook North 57-42 to stay tied for first in the CSL North at 6-1. Hirsh scored a team-high 20 points, and Henley poured in 18 points in the win.

Niles North was scheduled to play Gordon Tech on Wednesday and Highland Park on Friday. The Vikings get conference co-leader Maine West on Feb. 3.

“We don’t talk about the long-term goals,” said fifth-year coach Dan Paxson, who is looking for his first conference championship with the Vikings. “I know there’s talk around us, but that’s not our focus in the locker room or at practice. Our focus is on what’s in front of us.”

Paxson called the Vikings “a young team with experience.” Niles North features only five seniors, including Angela Jones, Sorriyah Ranger and Lizzette Rivera. Nine players on the roster are in their first season on the varsity.

“I like this team the best,” Henley said. “We can go deep on our bench. We definitely are better than the other years.”

Later this week, Niles North will learn its seeding and where it will play at the New Trier Sectional. The Vikings are looking for their first regional championship since 2004.

“In my four years, this is by far the most hard-working and most talented team and the one with the best chance to make a run, come playoff time,” Hirsh said. “I think we can win a regional and get deep into the sectional. Obviously, it will take a lot of hard work, and it will take winning games like (Saturday’s).