Homewood-Flossmoor’s Laila Williams isn’t consumed by what lies ahead.
The sophomore guard — who has already shown high-level talent by pairing skill with athleticism and moxie — is focused on what’s directly in front of her. And what’s in front of the Vikings.
“I think some people might think because of my age I’m looking more into the future,” she said. “I’m in a now moment. I just want to take advantage of the time I have out there on the floor.”
That advantage Tuesday night went to Williams.
She scored a game-high 25 points to lead fourth-seeded H-F to a 54-46 upset of the host Mighty Macs in a Class 4A Mother McAuley Sectional semifinal game in Chicago.
Senior guard Aunyai Deere contributed 13 points, five rebounds and two assists as H-F (23-9) advanced to play in a 6 p.m. Thursday sectional final against Marist (26-8), a 68-61 semifinal winner over Bloom.
Junior forward Taji Alexa paced top-seeded McAuley (24-7) with 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Quinn Arundel added 16 points and four assists. Delia Sullivan scored nine points.
Williams, who also had four rebounds and three steals, scored 18 of her points in the second half. Williams and Deere combined for 12 points as H-F rallied from a 22-21 halftime deficit and built a four-point lead in the third quarter.
“We just talked and tried to figure out different ways to get each other open,” Deere said of Williams. “We’ve been together for two years now. I took her under my wing to guide her.”
Junior guard Toniya Brady has been playing with Williams since they were in grammar school.
“That’s my girl,” she said. “She came out in that second half and just made shots for us.
”She’s been doing great for her age. Laila’s a good person. She’s sweet and she’s somebody you want to be around. She’ll make you laugh.”
As brilliant as Williams was in the open floor, her outside shooting altered the calculus of the game. She made two 3-pointers while scoring the Vikings’ first 10 points of the fourth quarter.
The instructive halftime remarks of H-F coach Tony Smith also sparked a sense of urgency.
“I felt like hearing what coach had to say really helped me switch my mindset,” Williams said. “He gives me a lot of freedom to play open and free and attack the gaps.
“I like shooting the ball and I love making shots for my team.”
Despite being precocious, Williams has grown into a leader for H-F. She’s made a pronounced leap from a freshman learning the system to a savvy talent whose natural abilities set her apart.
”We have seniors or older players but I don’t feel like it’s about me,” Williams said. “I look at what shots are available and I also look to create for other people as well.”
Williams’ father played high school basketball in his native Ohio. Laila’s younger brother, AJ, is a freshman basketball player at Providence.
She began playing at age 3, learning very quickly that she wasn’t ordinary.
“I started playing with boys in youth leagues,” Williams said. “By the time I was in sixth or seventh grade, I was playing up against older girls. My dad really brought that love of the game for me.
“I think what I love best is just how freely I’m able to play.”
A self-described extrovert, Williams is friendly and playful. She loves spending time with her family and friends. When she’s not playing basketball, she loves to travel internationally.
Her time is very much in the present tense.
“I find it really cool getting out of my hometown and seeing the world,” she said. “I’m very outgoing. I love being out in life. I love being that friend who’s there for somebody who needs it.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
