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Genevieve Kerns gains confidence as Woodlands’ clutch 3-point shooter

Earlier this season, Woodlands Academy senior guard Genevieve Kerns made a shot that most players only dream about making.

Facing Rochelle Zell on Nov. 20, the Wildcats trailed by one point with 10 seconds left. Kerns received the inbounds pass near the baseline and had two options: Throw the ball to teammate Liz Coughlin in the post or take a shot from the corner.

In that moment, Kerns remembered instructions from coach Mark Wax.

“My coach always tells me to shoot, and I was open,” said Kerns, a Wilmette resident.

Kerns rose up and drained the winning shot from 3-point territory. Woodlands won 44-42 in what might prove to be the defining moment of Kerns’ time as a Woodlands basketball player.

Although the Wildcats certainly appreciated that Kerns made the shot, her willingness to take it was important as well.

“She is probably our best 3-point shooter,” said Wax, who is in his fourth season as the Wildcats’ coach. “In the past, she has hesitated to take the shot. When she does, it helps the team tremendously.”

Woodlands (7-8) is a young team. Kerns is the lone senior who plays significant minutes. Seven sophomores are on the roster, including twins Ava and Andrea Pulaski, who might be the team’s best players. The Wildcats like to run their offense through them.

The Pulaski twins combined for 32 points in a 45-40 win against the Home Run Kids home-school program on Jan. 5 in Lake Forest. Woodlands scored often in transition, with Wildcats players creating turnovers and feeding Ava and Andrea Pulaski for easy layups.

“We played defense and were able to speed the game up and run,” Wax said.

Kerns made only one of her six 3-point attempts, but her willingness to shoot forced Home Run Kids players to defend her closely on the perimeter. That freed up lanes for the other Wildcats guards to drive to the hoop.

Wax frequently encouraged Kerns to shoot when she was open.

“I’ve become more comfortable over four years, but sometimes I’m still a little shy with my shooting,” Kerns said.

Kerns has refined her shooting technique — and enhanced her confidence — in practice. She said she puts up about 400-500 shots every week and often completes a drill in which she shoots 10 shots from a variety of distances.

“I start closer in and then move out,” Kerns said. “I’m trying to make sure I’m comfortable on the wings, the baseline or the free-throw line.”

Kerns’ progression as a shooter mirrors the growth of the Woodlands program. Her freshman year, only 12 players came out for basketball. This year, 36 came to the first meeting of the season, and 14 players compete on the JV team.

“It was pretty small when I started, but now the interest level has increased and girls are coming out,” Kerns said. “I’m excited for the future of the team.”

Jon J. Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

Twitter @Pioneer_Press