Libertyville’s Lily Fisher is beginning to cast a shadow of her own. The younger sister of Maryland’s Emily Fisher, a former Libertyville star who graduated in 2023, Lily Fisher has emerged as one of the top recruits in the Midwest. The 6-foot-1 sophomore guard has also become the Wildcats’ go -to player after deferring to Kate and Rachel Rule last season. “I knew I had to be more confident and take on a bigger role, especially with the Rule sisters both graduating,” Fisher said. “I had to be more impactful offensively and defensively.” Fisher, the 2024-25 News-Sun Girls Basketball Player of the Year, succeeded in making an impact in all phases of the game. She averaged 12.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.2 blocks as the Wildcats (28-6) went undefeated in the North Suburban Conference and reached the Class 4A sectional finals. “From tryouts, she made the team her own, and we never had to ask her to shoot like last year,” Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen said. “Whether attacking the basket or shooting from outside, she seized the moment. She had the green light all year long.” Fisher, who is also the conference player of the year and a 4A all-state second-team pick by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, rose to the occasion against Libertyville’s toughest opponents. Fisher had 20 points and seven rebounds in a conference win against Mundelein, had 18 points and eight rebounds in a conference win against Stevenson and had 25 points and 11 rebounds in a double-overtime loss to Prospect, which also reached the 4A sectional finals. “I definitely was better this year at getting to the rim and finishing, and my jumper was also a lot better,” Fisher said. “I definitely developed more by getting into the weight room and was stronger. I was also more of a point guard this year. “But the biggest difference was my confidence. Last year, it was more at 60% instead of 100%. I felt the difference right away, in the first game.” Libertyville’s Lily Fisher takes the ball to the basket for a layup during the Class 4A Round Lake Regional championship game against Carmel on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Ukena / News-Sun) Libertyville senior center Madison Sears, an Illinois Wesleyan recruit, watched that unfold. “I think that last year there was a lot of stress on her,” Sears said of Fisher. “She did well for being a freshman. She had to pick it up this year because of the seniors who were gone. She was trying to fill those shoes. She had a great year. It was cool to see her form into more of her own player.” More than just a scorer, Fisher, who has 13 college offers, was outstanding in her role as the Wildcats’ point guard. She finished with a 1.42 assist-to-turnover ratio. “She was the best passer on the team and has incredible court vision,” Pedersen said. “She kept her turnovers to a minimum and made sure everyone touched the ball and got the ball to them in spots where they would score. “Teams never pressed us because we have a 6-1 point guard who could throw the ball in a line drive 75 feet to a teammate. She’s so dynamic with the ball.” That has impressed Libertyville senior guard Elinor Lindal, who met Fisher last season and then played with her on the same Wolverinas AAU team. “I think one of the things Lily is best at is her vision and ability to see the court,” Lindal said. “She not only is able to score but she can create plays for other people.” Libertyville’s Lily Fisher (3) shoots over Huntley’s Aubrina Adamik (23) and Ava McFadden (34) during the Class 4A Huntley Sectional championship game on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Ryan Rayburn / News-Sun) A lot has been asked of Fisher, who is learning to manage the pressure. “I’ve grown up watching my sister go through her career,” she said. “I feel like I’m better at handling it because I saw her handle it. That has helped me a lot, realizing that I can control what I can control.” Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter. ...read more read less