Resch shows her muscle around the basket

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Barrington-Jakeisha Wells Proviso (left) battles Alexa Resch Barrington for position. Proviso East travels to Barrington High to play the Fillies. | Joe Cyganowski~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 20, 2012 8:38AM

All basketball fans like to see a player improve day by day. And that seems to be the formula of Barrington’s 6-foot junior Alexa Resch.

In her first season as a varsity player for the Fillies, Resch is becoming a force inside during MSL contests this winter.

In her last two games over the weekend, she reached double figures in rebounds in both outings.

“She really works hard,” said Barrington coach Babbi Barriero. “She’s a very capable player and is getting better every game.”

This player was no secret in the Barrington program. Barriero watched her play on the sophomore team a year ago.

“She was dominant on the sophomore team,” she said. “She’s very strong and not afraid of contact.”

Barriero wondered how Resch would react to playing pressure defense. She watched in amazement as Resch was put in a difficult spot.

“She was in a mismatch with the point guard,” Barriero said. “And then she took the ball away from that point guard.”

On Saturday, Resch helped the Fillies (9-12, 2-3) in a 53-37 win over St. Charles North as part of the Sweet 16 Tournament. The junior posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

“She’s becoming more key every day,” Barriero said. “She’s keeps on improving. She’s capable of becoming a star. But that will take a lot of hard work. And emotionally, I think she’s ready to be a leader on this team.”

The Fillies needed this win on Saturday. It helped Barrington forget about Friday night’s loss to Fremd. Nicole Collins led the offense in Saturday’s win with 22 points. Maddie Bartz checked in with 15 points.

Friday night’s clash with MSL West power Fremd did not go well. The Vikings dominated in the early going and ran away with a 66-40 decision.

“Fremd is dynamite,” Barriero said. “But I was disappointed. The kids were nervous and we committed 20 turnovers in the first half.”

Barrington fought back and outscored the Vikings in the second half but that did not stop this tough loss.

“We didn’t give up,” she said. “But I was very disappointed with that first half.”

Angie Kirchoff’s 12 points led the Fillies. Resch was strong on the boards again with 10 rebounds.

Barrington travels to Schaumburg for a 7:30 p.m. Friday tip-off. The Fillies owe the Saxons and coach Ashley Berggren, a former Fillies star, for a 40-39 loss they sustained on Dec. 16.