Two for the Show: Pair of Panthers cross 1,000-point milestone, prepare for postseason push

Prior to this season, Regina Dominican only had three 1,000-point scorers in the history of its decorated basketball program.

But as of Thursday, when the Panthers recorded a 52-18 senior night victory over Woodlands Academy, that number has nearly doubled. Senior Jillian DeFranza scored 14 points to eclipse 1,000 points as a Panther, just a week after her teammate, Olivia Fraterrigo, also joined the prestigious club.

The Panthers’ only other 1,000-point scorers are believed to be Laura Strenk (2021), Lauren Schober (2004) and Christina Quaye (2003).

In celebrating DeFranza, Regina coach Bob Newton made sure to call out the senior’s excellence on the other side of the court.

“Jillian is the best defender I’ve ever had,” Newton said. “She triggers a lot of scoring for everybody else, just because of her capacity at defense. She’s allowed us to play multiple defenses because everyone else can play behind her, and they know what she’s doing.”

Fraterrigo on Saturday, Jan. 17, became the second Panther to score 1,000 career points in a dominant Regina victory over Christ the King.

What may seem like individual achievements for Fraterrigo and DeFranza are really, they said, a testament to the team. The pair emphasized their teammates’ support in practice and games, as well as their constant joy and support.

For Fraterrigo, though, a piece of her desire to make a mark on the program came with the weight of being a senior.

“Jillian has four more amazing years to go, but my time is limited,” Fraterrigo said, referring to DeFranza’s commitment to compete with Texas Woman’s University. “I have a set time. It just pushed me even more, and my teammates wanting more for me too. It just kept me going.”

Perhaps Fraterrigo and DeFranza’s biggest source of success is the bond between the entire four-player senior class, and that connection began much earlier than their enrollment at Regina Dominican.

DeFranza went to grade school with Anna O’Connor, while Natalia Cerrado went to grade school with Fraterrigo. The four came together at a summer camp leading into freshman year and have shared a strong friendship since.

“I honestly don’t think we would have had so much success if we weren’t so close,” DeFranza said. “Our energy just matches each other so well. We are truly best friends. There’s no other way to put it.”

Newton, who earned his 300th career win on Jan. 15, has noticed the impact of this season’s senior class on his program.

He said the four seniors have set an example for younger players and enabled their growth.

“They allowed us to change the standard from ‘girls playing basketball’ to ‘basketball players,’” Newton said. “And expecting more of themselves and of each other. Each year, they’ve raised the bar.”

In January, that hard work has manifested itself through improved efficiency with the team back healthy, which is crucial since the Panthers lack size. Newton said they are getting closer and closer to being ready for February.

DeFranza and Fraterrigo said the Panthers are chasing a trip to state, a mission they accomplished when they were sophomores. They brought home an IHSA Class 2A fourth-place trophy.

To get there this year, Regina will have to keep the joy and energy up as a long season nears its end.

“You get here when it’s dark, you leave when it’s dark,” Fraterrigo said. “It’s cold. It’s below freezing. So it’s just cherishing those days and making the most of it and working hard. If we do all those things we are going to make it as far as we want to make it.”

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