Jacobsen Delivers—As Expected—For L-W East Girls Basketball Team

When Caitlin McMahon went missing in the first half of Lincoln-Way East’s 51-42 girls basketball victory over Sandburg on Tuesday night, Amy Jacobsen was there to pick up the scoring pace for the Griffins.

Jacobsen scored eight of her 10 points in the first half. She knocked down two 3-pointers, including one from the top of the key with 9 seconds left in the second quarter to give East a 26-24 lead.

Her work took on added importance because McMahon was limited two shots and two points in the first half. Sandburg used a zone defense to cut off the driving lanes for East’s Taylor Johnson and to sag as many as two and three defenders around McMahon, the 6-foot senior forward who is headed to Saint Xavier University.

Jacobsen stepped up, just as Lincoln-Way East coach Jim Martin has come to expect. She is one of the unsung heroes on an East team that boasts a 21-3 overall record and 9-2 mark in Southwest Suburban Blue Conference play.

She has been a consistent spot-up shooter and tenacious defender. On occasion, she’ll handle the ball.

And, always, she’ll give her best effort.

“It really has been all year,” Martin said. “She’s been a great—I don’t want to say surprise—but a great complement to our team. When she’s open, she’s knocking down 3s. Taylor (Johnson) can defend. But so can Amy (Jacobsen). She just has that smart sense.

“She knows to step out and see screens and to help one another. Her all-around game has improved so, so much from a year ago. She’ll handle the ball a little bit. She knocks down free throws and creates.

“But, as I said, she’s really a great complement to our guard (Johnson) and post player (McMahon). Yeah, we’re happy with her.”

Jacobsen’s perimeter shooting skills make the Griffins an hard team to defend. Johnson, the Loyola University recruit and lightning-quick point guard, can beat almost anyone off the dribble. McMahon makes her living around the basket.

When opponents focus their attention on the Griffins’ dynamic duo, Jacobsen is left free to roam the 3-point line and look for opportunities to pull the trigger. She goes about her business quietly. She understands her role is to take what comes her way and let Johnson and McMahon do their thing as the Griffins’ leaders.

“You know what? Taylor (Johnson) and Caitlin (McMahon) are awesome,” Jacobsen said. “They’re my teammates. I’m never jealous of them. But I just try to help the team as much as I can. I do what I can.”

She walked away feeling satisfied after East completed a two-game regular-season sweep of Sandburg.

“I’m really excited,” Jacobsen said. “This was a crucial win for us going into the playoffs—just to keep our confidence up.”