Savannah Lynch levels up as St. Edward’s leader. ‘Grown her game.’ Plus, Aurora-Elgin girls basketball notes. St. Edward’s Savannah Lynch (2) dribbles up court against Chicago Christian in the first quarter of a Chicagoland Christian Conference game in Elgin on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
By Paul Johnson | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: January 2, 2026 at 10:07 PM CST | UPDATED: January 2, 2026 at 10:15
PM CST Junior guard Savannah Lynch has made an impact since day one for St.
Edward.
As Lynch guides the Green Wave in her third varsity season, however, the difference in her demeanor is noticeable. She has fully embraced the leadership role as the years have flown by. And this winter, she’s playing with an ease that shows on the court. “From being a freshman to now, I’ve started to understand varsity basketball and play more calm and collected,” Lynch said. “Just knowing time and situation and knowing how I can help the team. “How can I put us in a good position to succeed?”
Once again, Lynch has been the catalyst for St. Edward’s success. She captured MVP honors as the Green Wave (9-5) repeated as the champion of the Lisle Holiday Cage Classic.
St. Edward’s Savannah Lynch (2) drives into the lane against Chicago Christian in the second quarter of a Chicagoland Christian Conference game in Elgin on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
And it’s not just the numbers on the stat sheet. “Just her presence on and off the court, she brings a new level of leadership,” St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson said of Lynch. “You can tell how much she’s worked on improving not only her skills but her basketball knowledge. “It’s been fun to watch her mature as a basketball player. She’s grown her game.”
While Lynch’s ability to knock down 3-pointers, take the ball to the basket or get the ball to her teammates has always been there, she’s mastering those skills this season.
St. Edward’s Savannah Lynch (2) brings the ball up the court against Pecatonica during a Class 1A state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Thursday, March 6, 2025. (Troy Stolt / The Beacon-News) “She’s able to make a lot of adjustments based on the other team’s defense,”
Dawson said of Lynch. “We were able to post her up against smaller guards in this tournament .“She’s just so versatile because of her skill level and her understanding of the game. She’s been able to take things to the next level.” Colleges are starting to take notice, too. She confirmed she’s early in the recruiting process.
“This summer I’ll get into it more,” Lynch said. “I’m so excited. I’m just ready to see what happens and where this takes me. I love this sport and I’m excited to see what happens.”St. Edward’s Savannah Lynch (2) directs a play against Willows Academy in the second quarter of the Class
1A Harvest Christian Supersectional in Elgin on Monday, March 3, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
More on the Green Wave Lynch has played with Dawson’s daughters, Layne and Taylor, and Sarah Gurley since seventh grade. Layne Dawson is a couple weeks away from returning from injury. Jordin Sauls and Ginger Younger have also been mainstays for the Green Wave.
Adding in Larkin transfer Sanaii McPherson, who scored her 1,000th career point this week, has gone smoothly.
“I think that helps,” Lynch said. “Being friends on and off the court, that helps us trust each other more. If someone is down, we know how to pick each other up