The person who had the biggest impact on the basketball career of Lincoln-Way East’s Kaitlyn Dykstra didn’t even play the sport. Except when he went one-on-one against her. James Dykstra, a junior finance and accounting student at Georgia, was more into academics than athletics growing up but wa s always around to toughen Kaitlyn up. “He was always pushing me to be the best when I would practice against him at home,” Kaitlyn said of James. “When he is here, I know if I look at him, he’ll tell me what to do.” Kaitlyn took advantage of good looks Tuesday night. The 5-foot-3 junior guard scored a game-high 13 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, to lead the Griffins to a 48-36 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over district rival Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox. Senior forward Kennedy Johnson had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Lincoln-Way East (6-4, 1-3). Sophomore forward Samantha Hellrung added 10 points off the bench. Junior guard Christina Galka scored a team-high 10 points for the Knights (3-8, 1-4), who held a 26-21 halftime lead after hitting four 3-pointers in the second quarter but went through a dry spell. Lincoln-Way East’s Kaitlyn Dykstra (1) drives to the basket against Lincoln-Way Central during a South West Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown) While Lincoln-Way Central gave up 13 straight points to start the third quarter, the Griffins cashed in as Dykstra put her battles with her older brother to good use. “She’s a fearless shooter and she’s shooting at a high clip,” Lincoln-Way East coach Jim Nair said of Dykstra. “She’s quick and can defend. And she’s a tough kid.” Dykstra’s defense, however, has helped her get more playing time in her first year on the varsity. “Kaitlyn came off the bench for us to start the season,” Nair said. “She worked herself into the starting lineup. We’ve seen her shoot the ball at the lower level and in the summer. Lincoln-Way East’s Kaitlyn Dykstra (1) tries to cut off Lincoln-Way Central’s Christina Galka (3) during a South West Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown) “But she has surprised us with the way she has defended.” Johnson, meanwhile, has been impressed by Dykstra’s skills. “Kaitlyn is always bringing something awesome to the table,” Johnson said. “If we’re struggling, she’s always there to hit the three to pick us back up. It’s great to have someone on the team pick us up when we’re down. “She always has my back.” The Griffins needed a pick-me-up in conference play after losing 60-57 to Homewood-Flossmoor, 61-55 in overtime to Stagg and a 33-30 to Lockport. Lincoln-Way East’s Kennedy Johnson (33) goes up for a layup against Lincoln-Way Central during a South West Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown) “We had a rough start to the season,” Johnson said. “But we know how to execute. We just come up short sometimes in the first half and we always have energy in the second. “We turned our game around (Tuesday).” Nair, who is retiring after the season, was presented with an “Air Nair” Knights jersey before the game from Lincoln-Way Central coach Dave Campanile. Nair still has high hopes for his team. “We’ve been in every game,” Nair said. “We want to get it going in the conference. It’s going to be tough. All of the games are going to be like this.” Dykstra decided on basketball to be her sport even though she competed in a variety of sports, including cheerleading and soccer. “I’ve been playing basketball for 10 years,” she said. “I stuck with it because I liked it the most.” Lincoln-Way East’s Kaitlyn Dykstra (1) makes a move toward the basket against Lincoln-Way Central during a South West Suburban Conference game in New Lenox on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown) She doesn’t view her height as a hindrance, “I’m aggressive and I like beating people down the court,” Dykstra said. “I like the upbeat (tempo) of basketball. And I know I have the bigs working to post for me and kick it out.” Dykstra also enjoys the camaraderie of playing for a team. “My teammates make me love the sport even more,” she said. “All of the teams I have been on have been really communicative. I think this team is good. “We’re all talkative and we help each other on the bench.” Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. ...read more read less