Willows’ Murray, Ciesla, and Stangel Voted To ISL All-Conference

Three members of the Willows Academy Eagles varsity basketball team were recently voted by the coaches of the Independent School League (ISL) as All-Conference at a post-season meeting in February. This followed a season in which the Eagles finished tied for second-place in the league, with a conference record of 5-2.

Senior guard Molly Murray, who recently committed to play college basketball at Catholic University (D.C.), earned 1st-team All-Conference honors following a prolific career in which she scored 1,104 varsity points. “Molly really stepped up this year following the graduation of two of our main scorers,” said Willows’ coach Jodi Marver. “She again filled up the stat column, and also embraced her role as a team leader. We are so excited to see what she does at the next level.”

Junior guard Emi Ciesla, a defensive specialist and spot-up shooter, was named to the 2nd-team. Ciesla, who regularly handled opponents’ leading offensive player, was the stopper in both the Eagles’ man-to-man and box-and-one defenses. Marver added, “Emi is the toughest defensive player you will ever see. She is selfless and gives her all in every game.”

Senior power-forward/center Kathryn Stangel, who will be playing college soccer next year as a goalkeeper for Lake Forest College (IL), was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. “Kathryn was the glue to our team, and played any role we needed her to,” said Marver. “She was the scrappiest player on the court, diving for every loose ball while also putting up big numbers in points and rebounds.”

Marver will look for her underclassmen to really step up in 2020-21 following the loss of both Murray and Stangel to graduation.