Loyola senior forward Clare Weasler wants to become a real estate agent.

She became intrigued by the business because her family moved around the area several times before settling in their current Glenview home, which is just a five-minute drive from Loyola’s campus in Wilmette. Weasler quickly made an impression on Ramblers coach Jeremy Schoenecker.

“The summer that she came in, she started with our JV group in camp and obviously surpassed that group,” Schoenecker said. “I was like, ‘All right, we’ve got to give her a run with our varsity kids,’ and she didn’t really miss a beat.”

Indeed, Weasler moved into the starting lineup as a freshman and hasn’t budged. She has become an increasingly important cog for the Ramblers, who were 117-13 during her four-year career through Sunday.

Senior guard Marycait Mackie joined Loyola’s varsity team at the same time. Mackie came off the bench during her first two years and is in her second season as a starter.

“She’s awesome,” Mackie said of Weasler. “I definitely knew she was a great player when I first saw her, but obviously I had no idea how great of a player she could be.”

Loyola’s Clare Weasler, second from right, throws a pass as Naperville Central’s Erin Hackett, from left, Trinity Jones and Jaliyah Brown defend during a nonconference game in Naperville on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

While Weasler has never been the Ramblers’ leading scorer, her impact goes far beyond her statistics. This season, she’s averaging 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 38.9% from the floor and 82.6% from the free-throw line.

“She’s a great player because she can do it all,” Mackie said. “She can rebound, we can count on her to make shots, we can count on her to get downhill via a passer. She knows the right reads, and she makes them. So that makes her so dangerous.”

Weasler and Mackie, a Washington University commit, are similar players. They’re grinders willing to do whatever it takes to win.

Weasler had five points, four rebounds and a steal and played great defense during Loyola’s impressive 65-49 road win at Naperville Central on Jan. 5. She assisted on a late 3-pointer by Mackie that capped an 18-5 run after the Redhawks had pulled within 40-37.

Loyola’s Clare Weasler (10) and Marycait Mackie (23) defend as Naperville Central’s Erin Hackett throws a pass during a nonconference game in Naperville on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

The performance was another example of how the Ramblers (17-2) continue to roll even after the graduation of star guard Aubrey Galvan, who led them to a 38-0 record and the Class 4A state title in 2024 and a 34-4 record and the state semifinals in 2025.

“Clare can do everything,” Schoenecker said. “She defends, she can shoot it, she sees the floor very well and she’s a great team leader. Her and Marycait will be the all-time winningest players in Loyola history, which speaks volumes, when they win their 20th game this year. We’re super excited for them because they’ve just been great teammates and leaders for four years.

“Obviously, they got to play with really good players as well in Aubrey and Paige (Engels) and Kelsey (Langston), but the tradition is to sort of move on, and they feed us. We talk about handing the baton off to the next group of kids, and they’ve done a really nice job.”

Weasler has enjoyed the ride.

“It’s been really fun,” she said. “I think every year we come in with the same mindset. We come in defense-oriented.

“We lost Aubrey, but we brought in a lot of new players, and I think every year we keep the same principles. So that’s what keeps us going.”

Naperville Central’s Colette McInerney, left, and Loyola’s Clare Weasler pursue a loose ball during a nonconference game in Naperville on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

Weasler didn’t envision this when she began playing basketball a decade ago. There is no history of the sport in her family, and she played soccer while she was growing up before she focused on basketball at Loyola.

“I really just fell in love with basketball, so I stayed with that,” she said. “I have been playing since younger than third grade.

“I think the key to that is staying in the gym, working before and after practice, and always helping my teammates, being a team player.”

In the past, that meant being a supporting player while the spotlight shined on others. Weasler is expected to be both seen and heard this season.

“I think (her role) is mostly just leadership, following the seniors from the past years, being able to lead the team even in moments where we’re down or when we need a hand up,” Mackie said. “We need someone that can be vocal on the court and pick people up, so I think leadership is a big thing.”

Loyola’s Clare Weasler, center, grabs a rebound between Naperville Central’s Trinity Jones, left, and Annabelle Kritzer during a nonconference game in Naperville on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

Weasler made a big decision about her future last year. She was drawing interest from college coaches but opted not to continue her playing career at the next level.

That has made this season even more special for Weasler, who is savoring the experience.

“I definitely am,” she said. “I’m thinking I only have a month or two left, so I’m going to enjoy every game, have fun, enjoy the memories of my teammates.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/12/basketball-loyola-clare-weasler/