Kaitlyn Dykstra led Lincoln-Way East to a significant 48-36 victory over district rival Lincoln-Way Central on December 16, 2025. The junior guard showcased her skills by scoring a game-high 13 points, including three pivotal three-pointers, during the SouthWest Suburban Conference matchup held in New Lenox.
The influence of Kaitlyn’s brother, James Dykstra, a junior finance and accounting student at Georgia, has been crucial in her development as a player. Although he did not pursue basketball seriously, his competitive spirit during their one-on-one games at home significantly shaped her approach to the sport. “He was always pushing me to be the best when I would practice against him at home,” Kaitlyn said, noting the motivation she draws from their sibling rivalry.
Kaitlyn’s performance on the court was complemented by senior forward Kennedy Johnson, who contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore forward Samantha Hellrung added another 10 points, offering valuable support for the team. In contrast, Lincoln-Way Central struggled to maintain its early lead, which was established by junior guard Christina Galka, who scored 10 points.
The game shifted momentum when the Griffins capitalized on a 13-point scoring streak to start the third quarter. Coach Jim Nair praised Dykstra’s shooting ability and defensive skills, stating, “She’s a fearless shooter and she’s shooting at a high clip. She’s quick and can defend. And she’s a tough kid.” Dykstra’s defense has been a key factor in her transition to the varsity team, where she began the season coming off the bench but quickly earned a starting position.
Dykstra’s teammates have recognized her impact on the game. Johnson remarked, “Kaitlyn is always bringing something awesome to the table. 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 this win after facing a challenging start to the season, including losses to Homewood-Flossmoor, Stagg, and Lockport. Johnson reflected on their performance, stating, “We had a rough start to the season. 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 tonight.”
In a notable moment before the game, Coach Jim Nair, who plans to retire at the end of the season, received a special “Air Nair” jersey from Lincoln-Way Central coach Dave Campanile. Nair expressed optimism about his team’s potential moving forward: “We’ve been in every game. 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’s dedication to basketball has been evident throughout her 10 years of playing the sport. Although she has participated in cheerleading and soccer, she ultimately chose basketball as her primary focus. “I’ve been playing basketball for 10 years. I stuck with it because I liked it the most,” she explained.
Despite standing at 5-foot-3, Dykstra does not see her height as a disadvantage. “I’m aggressive and I like beating people down the court,” she stated. “I like the upbeat tempo of basketball. And I know I have the bigs working to post for me and kick it out.” The camaraderie within her team adds to her enjoyment of the sport. “My teammates make me love the sport even more. 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.”
Dykstra’s performance not only highlights her individual talent but also underscores the collaborative spirit that defines Lincoln-Way East’s basketball team as they navigate their conference challenges.