Suburban Life Female Most Valuable Athlete: Lily Courier, Lyons, basketball, senior

WHY SHE WAS SELECTED:

Courier scored 17 points, including her 1,000th career point, in the Lions' win over Hinsdale Central.

Courier talked about the achievement, her college decision and more with Suburban Life sports editor Joshua Welge. Here is an edited version of the transcript.

Welge: What did reaching 1,000 career points mean to you?

Courier: It's always been a goal of mine to reach 1,000 points. I really thought it was going to happen. It was a proud moment.

Welge: How did it happen in the game?

Courier: I hit a two-point shot, and I needed five points in the game to get to 1,000. I hit a 3, which was a fun way to get it. My whole family and family friends were there and they were so excited and happy for me.

Welge: Speaking of hitting a 3, is that a part of your game you've really worked to improve?

Courier: Yes. I feel like I had the inside game, but I feel l have been able to become a threat from the outside. I wanted to make sure being a senior that all the coaches know my game. I wanted to be more of a threat and I wanted to be able to score if I get shut down on the inside and at Lewis I want to be able to play wherever my coach needs me.

Welge: When did you commit to Lewis, and why did you pick them?

Courier: I committed the summer going into my senior year. When I first went on the campus I talked to [Lewis] coach [Sam] Quigley. I knew it was a lot different than the other places I visited. I felt more at home and I loved the team. Everybody just felt so close. It was more of a family aspect.

Welge: What do you plan to study in college?

Courier: Criminal justice. I think I want to become a police officer. My uncle in Buffalo, he was a police officer.

Welge: What do you want to accomplish before you leave Lyons?

Courier: I'm hoping to win conference. We have what we need to do it, we think we can pull it off.