Senior forward Nyila Williams knows her basketball career is winding down at Marian Catholic.
Williams is looking to study at Aurora University to be a veterinarian. Instead of basketball, she wants to join the Spartans’ band and orchestra. She plays the French horn and the mellophone.
“I love classical music,” Williams said. “I love orchestral music. I just think it’s beautiful with the right kind of composer. It’s just wonderful.”
But before leaving Marian, she hopes to keep composing wonderful performances on the court.
The 5-foot-10 Williams scored 13 points and added five rebounds and two steals in three quarters Monday night for the host Spartans in a 49-32 win over Morgan Park in a Class 3A Marian Catholic Regional semifinal in Chicago Heights.
Ty Jackson, a Southwestern Illinois recruit, led the sixth-seeded Spartans (12-17) with 18 points, while Kaili Merrick added seven rebounds and Lauren Nichols followed with six.
Kimora Gearring scored 13 points for 11th-seeded Morgan Park (10-14), including 10 of the Mustangs’ 17 points in the second half.
The Spartans, meanwhile, have a strong tradition going where they have won four straight sectional titles. Despite their overall record, Williams confirmed they are aiming for another.
“Oh, we’re going for five,” Williams said. “Ever since the postseason started, everyone is 0-0 and we’re looking forward to the next game every time.”
Williams pointed out that the Spartans are confident.
“It goes back to being around each other and having fun,” she said. “There’s just something about postseason. You are in the mindset of, ‘Let’s be better. Let’s be the team nobody expected to be.’
“Like I said, 0-0. Different mindset. We’re starting over again.”
The postseason journey continues at 6 p.m. Thursday as Marian Catholic faces third-seeded Butler (20-10) for the regional title. Butler won 50-31 over Thornton (3-22) in the other semifinal.
The two teams do have some recent history. On Dec. 27, Butler beat the Spartans 39-35 in a holiday tournament at Loyola.
“Ny didn’t play in that game and these girls are ready for that challenge,” Marian Catholic coach Mike Taylor said. “Butler is a very good team and very well-balanced, but these kids want it and they won’t go down without a great effort.
“I’m excited to see that.”
Taylor acknowledged how much he has enjoyed coaching Williams this season and that she will be successful even without basketball once the season concludes.
“She has a lot of interests and she has a lot of talent in a lot of different areas,” Taylor said of Williams. “You can just tell by watching her play the game. It’s the same way she goes about life.
“She has an energy where she goes until she drops. She takes on all of the challenges that are brought to her and she goes right at them.”
Williams, who has been playing basketball since second grade, realizes it will be hard to give up the sport. But she’s looking to the new challenges ahead, especially helping animals.
“I’ve been around animals my entire life,” Williams said. “I’ve had dogs, one cat, a couple of birds, bunnies, a turtle and fish.”
But watching Jan Pol on the reality TV show “The Incredible Dr. Pol” motivated her to give serious thought to being a veterinarian as a career.
“I grew up watching Dr. Pol and said, ‘That’s what I want to do,’” Williams said. “He would go and fix up all of the cows and horses and some farm dogs. It was great watching him.”
And Williams plans on using music as a hobby.
“I’m a really big fan of Tchaikovsky,” she said. “I really love his music. He does make really good stuff for horns and that’s my bias.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
