Change agent: Lana Kerley likes to take 3-pointers for Lincoln-Way East. But it wasn’t always that way. ‘I just never shot the ball.’

One of these nights, Lincoln-Way East junior Lana Kerley might just break the program’s single-game 3-point record.

She has an incredible shooting touch.

If she does, she will have beaten Jenna Rubino McCormick, who made 10 3-pointers twice in three nights from Dec. 19-21 in 2002

“Jenna coached me when I was in sixth or seventh grade,” Kerley said. “She gives so much back to the community. At The Ranch in Frankfort, she’s always hosting camps.

“We went to her camps all the time in the summer when we were little. Now that we’re older, we help out as volunteers. She’s always trying to grow the game.”

Kerley put on a 3-point shooting clinic of her own Tuesday night, leading Lincoln-Way East to a 60-26 victory over host Andrew in a SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover in Tinley Park.

The 5-foot-11 guard finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and six steals for the Griffins (8-2). Hayven Smith added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Maddie Yacobozzi contributed nine points.

Jessica Morawski led Andrew (6-4) with 10 points. Skye Echols added eight points, while Makayla Adams grabbed three rebounds.

Kerley missed her first shot of the game before going on a remarkable 14-point effort in the first quarter that included four straight 3-pointers. She capped that run with a 14-foot jumper.

“When she does that, I feel it brings the energy of the whole team up,” Yacobozzi said. “When she’s on a good game, in a groove, you know she’s going to be there.

“You know you can trust her. It makes it more fun.”

Kerley added another 3-pointer in the second quarter and two more in the third before Lincoln-Way East coach Jim Nair cleared the bench.

“I don’t really know what happens,” Kerley said. “I just shoot the ball. One thing I do is focus on my breathing. I always breathe out when I shoot, so maybe that helps.”

Tuesday’s effort brought Kerley to 35 3-pointers for the season and 131 for her career. She went into the game averaging a team-leading 17 points. She’s also second on the team in rebounds and steals.

The Griffins have one of the Southland’s best outside-inside games with Kerley — and others — on the perimeter and the 6-5 Smith dominating inside.

“In our last game, I think we hit 11 threes and six different girls hit them,” Nair said. “Hayven is opening them up, and then when they hit a couple it opens Hayven up.

“They are just working off each other very well right now.”

Kerley didn’t come to East as a 3-point shooter.

“Up until my freshman year, I played post,” Kerley said. “When I got to East, I didn’t expect to be a shooting guard. In eighth grade, my travel coach told me that I shouldn’t step outside the 3-point line.”

Lousy shooter?

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“I don’t really know,” Kerley said, laughing. “I just never shot the ball.”

Nair changed the whole game plan when she arrived at East.

“When we watched her in travel in junior high, she was just a tough kid inside,” Nair said. “The summer before she got to us, I think she did some training with Jenna on improving her shot.

“She just really worked at it and has developed into one of the best outside shooters in the area.”

Uncanny, really.

“I think it’s just her hard work,” Nair said. “We’ll have team gatherings and stuff, and she’s checking her watch. She’ll leave and get to the gym for her second workout.

“Lana has the green light. When she’s relaxed and comfortable, she doesn’t miss.”