While most young basketball players are enamored with scoring, Marist’s Lily Porter had a different mindset. She was just as happy to pass the ball.

The 5-foot-10 junior forward pointed out that she has family members who were point guards. And she learned at an early age that passing the ball can provide good feelings.

“Even at a young age, it was my special skill,” Porter said. “I really enjoy passing it. It’s more fun to get a cool pass than hitting a layup. It’s just so satisfying to give a good pass.

“Obviously, scoring is nice, too.”

Even with a pass-first mentality, Porter can score, too. She popped in 14 points Monday night to lead the RedHawks in a 61-27 East Suburban Catholic Conference win over host Joliet Catholic.

Porter helped set the tone for Marist (5-0, 1-0) by scoring seven points in a 9-0 run to start off the conference opener. She also added five assists, four rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals.

Marist’s Lily Porter (22) plays the ball on the wing against Joliet Catholic’s Emma Birsa (21) during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Joliet on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)

“It nice that she has both passing and scoring in her pocket,” Marist coach Renee Chimino said. “She’s also playing the post. She’s a versatile player and she’s becoming a leader for us.

“Her basketball IQ is off the charts. She really is an all-around player.”

Grace Harmon added 12 points for the RedHawks. Lucy Cosme chipped in with five rebounds, while Caroline Flynn contributed three steals.

Emma Birsa led Joliet Catholic (2-3, 0-1) with 12 points, four rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Emma Napier scored all six of the Angels’ points in the first quarter.

Marist’s Lily Porter (22) puts up a shot in the post against Joliet Catholic’s Emma Birsa (21) during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Joliet on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)

Porter’s versatility, meanwhile, doesn’t go unnoticed by her teammates.

“She has a chemistry with everyone,” Harmon said. “She brings the passes and is a great post-up. She does a little bit of everything.”

Learning the finer points of the inside game was an adjustment for Porter following the graduation of center Madison Vrdolyak.

For that, Porter was helped by Mary Pat Connelly, Marist’s former coach and a National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member.

Marist’s Lily Porter (22) plays the ball into the heart of the Joliet Catholic defense in the lane during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Joliet on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)

“I have to take on that role, so over the summer, I worked on posting up,” Porter said. “I worked with coach Connelly on that. Coach Connelly would come in and give us all pointers.”

For those fans who want to see the Porter and the Redhawks show off their talent at home, it’s only going to happen once during the 2025 portion of the season. Sixteen of their 17 games in November and December are on the road thanks in part to playing in three tournaments.

Fans will get a chance to see Marist at home on Dec. 8 against Lincoln-Way Central. The next game at home for the RedHawks will be Jan. 5 against Benet.

Players aren’t all that thrilled about that.

“I like playing in our home gym,” Harmon said. “It just has a better atmosphere.”

Marist’s Lily Porter (22) slashes through the lane against Joliet Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Joliet on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Sean King / Daily Southtown)

“I would rather play at home because our conference has a lot of schools that are far away,” Porter said. “Joliet is an hour away from us. It’s a far ride and it’s hard being on the road.”

The RedHawks’ road to success has gone from a 10-22 record in 2023-24 to a 26-9 record last season that included a sectional championship. Many of the players are back this winter.

“We’ve all been playing together for so long and we’ve all known each other growing up,” Porter said. “Grace, Maeve (Fitzgibbons) and I have played travel basketball together. All of the other girls on the team grew up in the neighborhood in Mount Greenwood.

“We’ve played with each other or against each other since second grade, so our chemistry has built up for the past three years. That’s our biggest advantage.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/24/lily-porter-marist-joliet-catholic-ihsa-girls-basketball/