Heading into her sophomore season, South Elgin point guard Izzy Fernandez was prepared for an expanded role. She was that good last winter for the Storm on the varsity as a freshman.

Coach Emily Driessen has put a lot on Fernandez’s plate in terms of leadership and ball-handling.

“She worked really hard in the offseason knowing that she was going to be more watched this season as a sophomore based on her freshman season,” Driessen said of Fernandez. “We’re really trying to push her to be more of a leader this year in the sense of ball-handling.

“She brings so much basketball knowledge and she works so hard at it. She wants that responsibility and has earned the respect of her teammates.”

That respect will rise. Fernandez led all scorers Monday night with 19 points as South Elgin ea

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