Deerfield freshman Maddie Swender is making an early impact across all high school seasons.

After playing safety for the flag football team, Swender is the starting shooting guard for the girls basketball team. In the coming spring season, she’s expected to be a key player on the softball team.

“I like being busy and playing multiple sports,” she said. “It brings me joy, and all three sports have similar bits to them.”

In basketball, the 5-foot-8 Swender has scored at least 20 points in four games this season and is averaging 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals for the Warriors (7-18, 0-9), a young team that has struggled in the Central Suburban League South.

“We even now set up Maddie for end-of-the-quarter plays,” Deerfield coach Nicole Keith said. “She’s not afraid of the moment.

“Her work ethic is comparable to our previous young guards. She has the willingness to learn and competes at full speed.”

Deerfield’s Charlee Baker (3) shoots from 3-point range during a Central Suburban League South game against Maine South in Deerfield on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)

Swender and freshman point guard Charlee Baker are following in the footsteps of former Deerfield stars Aubrey Galvan and Nikki Kerstein, who also started as freshmen and then reached the Class 3A state semifinals as sophomores in 2023. Baker is averaging 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

“It’s easier for me because of Aubrey and Nikki because I know how to handle how long I let a freshman ride with turnovers and mistakes,” Keith said. “I’m willing to work with aggressive errors because it’s a growth process. We know one day, as we saw previously, they will turn into big-time players.”

Swender said she and Baker attended several of Deerfield’s games together in the past, especially during the Galvan-Kerstein era. Galvan, who led Loyola to the 2024 Class 4A state title, starts for Vanderbilt, and Kerstein, who led Montini to the 2025 Class 3A state title, comes off the bench for Wisconsin.

“They really inspired me, and it’s so cool to watch them on TV at Vanderbilt and Wisconsin, and knowing how they started at Deerfield really motivates me a lot,” Swender said.

Baker said Swender, with whom she has formed a strong bond, is fearless on the court.

“Maddie is not afraid to shoot, go to the basket, draw fouls and do anything else,” Baker said. “Even though we may be down a lot, she keeps her head up and plays with a good attitude. Maddie also does a great job of seeing the floor and creating more opportunities on offense.”

Deerfield senior captain Chloe Cooper agreed that Swender’s determination galvanizes the Warriors.

“Maddie works extremely hard and is resilient,” Cooper said. “As a freshman, she leads the team by example and never gives up when games get hard. She is very poised on the court and gives her entire focus while at games and practices. Maddie is very valued on our team.”

Deerfield’s Maddie Swender, left, tries to drive past Maine South’s Ally Seurynck during a Central Suburban League South game in Deerfield on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)

Swender, whose older brother Will is a Deerfield senior and has committed to play baseball at the University of Rochester, said she’s excited about the next three years and beyond.

“Athletics runs in our family,” Swender said. “I had an aunt play softball at Brown, an uncle swam at Yale and another uncle played professional lacrosse, so I’m really looking forward to the future and hoping for great things for the program.”

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/deerfield-high-school-basketball-maddie-swender/