Matching numbers
CNI All-Suburban choice Hibbard honors memory of mother
Some superstitious athletes might shy away from wearing the number 13, but Lauren Hibbard of West Allis Central is happy - and proud - to have it on her uniform.
It keeps her late mother Jacalyn near her heart.
Jacalyn wore number 13 when she competed in swimming at Brookfield Central High School in the early 1980s, winning a state championship in the 50-yard freestyle in 1982.
She died of a sudden heart attack in her sleep three years ago on April 5 at the age of 41, and Lauren switched from the number 18, which she had worn through her years in youth basketball, to 13 in her honor.
"This means a lot to me," Hibbard said. "It was her number. She is still an inspiration to me."
Whenever the Bulldogs play at Brookfield Central, Hibbard takes time to look at her mother's state championship swimming trophy.
Hibbard feels wearing number 13 is appropriate, since it was Jacalyn who got her started in sports at a young age, introducing her to swimming, volleyball, track and basketball.
She enjoyed her best season with the Bulldogs basketball team in 2008-09, averaging a double-double of 11.4 points and 10.1 rebounds, plus 3.4 blocks per game, to lead Central to a 14-8 record.
For her achievements, the junior center is part of the 2008-09 CNI All-Suburban Team.
"She was a force in the paint defensively, constantly altering shots," Central coach Steve Hluchnik said.
Hibbard played this season with a knee injury, which turned out to be a torn lateral meniscus that eventually required surgery. She was somewhat limited with what she could do on the court, but toughed it out for the good of the team.
Her presence became especially important at mid-season when point guard Iesha Barkley, who was averaging about 16 points, finally went down with a knee injury that had nagged her all year.
"Without Iesha, everyone knew they had to step it up," she said, "and everyone did. We knew it would be hard after losing Iesha, but things went well. We played as a team."
Hibbard helped the Bulldogs overcome some initial post-Barkley jitters and secure third place in the Greater Metro Conference.
They later played Southeast Conference South Division champion Racine Case to the wire in a regional playoff game. Hibbard finished with - appropriately enough - 13 points, joining freshman Meghan Kraker and sophomore Janie Myles in double figures.
All three will return next season, giving Hibbard hope for a strong senior campaign during which she can again wear number 13 proudly.
John Rech can be reached at (262) 446-6610. Read his blog at WestAllisNOW.com.
ON THE RISE
West Allis Central's Lauren Hibbard has improved her statistics in each of her first three seasons on the varsity basketball team. Here are some numbers:
JUNIOR
field goals made, 102
total points, 257
average, 11.7
SOPHOMORE
field goals made, 89
total points, 224
average. 9.7
FRESHMAN
field goals made, 70
total points, 171
average. 7.8
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Mehryn Kraker of West Allis Central reached a personal milestone Jan. 24 against Wauwatosa East when she cleared 1,000 points for her career, leading her squad with 25 points. She was the leading scorer again Jan. 27 with 16, while teammate Claire Hankins played the hero by hitting a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give the Bulldogs an upset win over Sussex Hamilton. Central has played a brutal schedule this year, and it's paying off to the tune of four straight wins.
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