GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ‘93-’94: CENTURY LEAGUE : Villa Park Opponents Feel Skehan’s Pressure

VILLA PARK — Almost every coach will say a good defense is the best offense. And for a team such as Villa Park, which won the Century League girls’ basketball championship last season using full-court pressure, Maureen Skehan is a good player to have.

Skehan, a 5-foot-9 senior, led the league in steals, averaging eight per game and giving opposing point guards nightmares.

“Almost every game she was harassing the other team’s point guard in the backcourt,” Villa Park Coach Len Whitacre said. “The guard would rifle the ball up court and Mo would make it disappear.”

Skehan, 17, credits her defensive ability to a lot of hard work and practice. She started playing basketball in the sixth grade because all her friends were playing. As a freshman at Rock Island (Ill.) High School, she sat on the bench.

“I was the worst player on the team,” Skehan said. “So I started practicing. I played by myself at home a lot and sometimes I would play with my brother.”

The practice paid off. Skehan became a starter in her first year at Villa Park and averaged 13 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds and three assists. She also was voted first-team all-league.

Skehan and her family moved to California from Illinois at the end of her sophomore year. Her father had been ill a long time and they came to Orange to be near relatives.

In October of 1992, Skehan’s father, John, died. It was a difficult time for Maureen, but she kept herself busy with basketball and her teammates.

“We have a very close team,” Whitacre said. “Even though Mo had just moved here, the team accepted her right away and helped her through the loss.”

Skehan, who lives with her mother, Pauline, and her brother, John Jr., 19, is getting over the loss of her father.

“It’s been hard, but I’m starting to get over it,” Skehan said. “He went to all my games and was always there for me and always told me to just do my best.”

Her best is exactly what she intends to keep doing.

Skehan not only plays basketball but is also on the track team. She runs the 800 meters and is one of the league’s best high jumpers. She gave up cross-country to devote more time to basketball.

“Basketball is what I like best,” she said. “I keep high jumping mainly to stay in shape.”

According to Whitacre, Skehan couldn’t be in any better shape. Last season she played every minute of every game except one, when she had to leave because of leg cramps.

“She is a greyhound. I never see her even breathing hard,” Whitacre said. “Her backup on the bench is like the Maytag repairman . . . she’ll never get in the game.”

Skehan attributes her stamina to running track.

“When I’m on the court I pace myself,” she said. “And off the court, I do a lot of running.”

Though her defensive ability is her biggest plus, Whitacre is also looking for an improved offensive effort from Skehan. He would like to see her average 20 points this season.

“Defense is definitely her strength,” Whitacre said, “but she is working really hard on the offensive end and I expect to see her reach her potential this year.”

Skehan agrees with her coach.

“I think my track background helps me on defense. I’m quick and can get across the court fast,” she said. “But I’m working on my shot. I’d like to be more consistent.”

The Spartans hope to repeat their championship efforts this season and Skehan is one of the keys to their title defense.

“We have a lot of young players on the team,” Skehan said. “We are going to have to play really strong this year.”