Ella Throndson leads the way for Evergreen Park

Evergreen Park’s Ella Throndson got started in basketball because of Michael Jordan.

Of course, she wasn’t even born when Jordan was winning championships and MVP honors for the Chicago Bulls, but Jordan’s influence was passed down by her mother, Jennifer Houze.

“My mom is obsessed with Michael Jordan,” Throndson said. “She talked about him a lot. I wanted to play basketball after seeing NBA players on TV.

“I used to watch his highlights all of the time. He could play through anything and against all adversity.”

Now, Throndson is making highlights of her own.

The junior guard hit a trio of 3-pointers in the first quarter Saturday, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds and three steals for the host Mustangs in a 52-23 nonconference win over Plainfield Central.

Tatum Harris led Evergreen Park (23-6) with 15 points to go with four steals, while Shannon Farrell added seven points and 10 rebounds. Afterward, senior forward Grace Kole was honored for passing 500 points and 500 rebounds in her career.

Junior guard Ella Page produced 11 points, six rebounds and three steals off the bench for Plainfield Central (7-18).

Throndson, meanwhile, wasn’t even born in 1989, which is the last time Evergreen Park won a conference title in girls basketball. She’s excited that this team could do it.

“We’re progressing through this season very well and we’re working hard,” she said. “We have definitely improved from last year.

“We’re moving the ball. We’re setting the screens for one another. We’re working together more.”

Evergreen Park entered this week with an 8-2 record in the South Suburban Red, with two conference games left against Reavis and Shepard. Reavis is right behind the Mustangs at 6-3.

Harris has also been getting a kick out of how well the Mustangs are playing.

“I’m very confident with the team — I think we’re going to so a long way in the playoffs,” she said, “I think everybody on the team brings different things, so when we come together, it’s amazing.”

George Shimko is in his second year as Evergreen Park’s coach. Last season, the Mustangs ended up 21-11 despite starting out with a 60-45 loss to Shepard, a 58-41 loss to Hillcrest and a 55-20 loss to Marist.

But Throndson and Co. were able to withstand that tough stretch and have thrived ever since.

“She got sick a little bit during the season last year but she’s just awesome,” Shimko said of Throndson. “I told her that she’s probably our fiercest competitor.

“She just keeps playing and playing and playing and she’s so coachable, too. She wants to do really well. Sometimes, she really gets amped up and we have to calm her down a little.”

Shimko confirmed that scoring is up this season for Throndson, who also provides top-notch defensive play.

Harris agreed with her coach on those aspects.

“She’s amazing,” Harris said of Throndson. “She can really shoot the ball and plays great defense and drive. She’s a great all-around player.”

Shimko pointed out that Harris was 11 points away from 1,000 for her career.

Harris said she wants to make a decision Friday on where she wants to play in college. She has visited Concordia Chicago, North Park, Illinois College, Moraine Valley and Truman.

But what has helped Throndson? She was blessed with having the ability to hit long-range shots when she was younger. She has also kept up with working on building that skill.

“I work a lot outside of practice and I work with the coaches to find my shot,” she said.

While Throndson enjoyed watching those old Michael Jordan highlights, WNBA star Caitlin Clark is now on her radar as well.

“She can shoot it from anywhere on the floor,” Throndson said. “I love watching her play.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.