Elise Ward brings more than boards for Marist. She scores. She leads. And it starts in practice. ‘It never lets up.’

The true essence of Elise Ward’s vocal leadership comes out far away from the spotlight.

Marist coach Renee Chimino doesn’t have to rally her team at practice.

“Oh, Elise brings our practices to a whole other level,” Chimino said. “She’s intense, calling for the ball, telling people where they need to go during every single drill. It never lets up.”

On the court, according to senior teammate Isabelle Harmon?

“She brings the energy,” Harmon said. “She knows the game. She knows how the varsity works, the speed of it. She always helps all of us.”

The senior forward flashed her team-leading form Monday night as the RedHawks defeated visiting St. Laurence 55-47 in Chicago.

The 5-foot-11 Ward finished with 16 points for Marist (9-6). Maggie Farritor added 12 points and Harmon contributed nine, while Elizabeth Badke had five points and six rebounds.

Clare Allison led St. Laurence (7-5) with 15 points. Sara Burzycki and Ryann Houbolt each contributed 11 points, while Hannah Cholke grabbed four rebounds.

Ward had plenty of leaders to learn from last season. There were six seniors, four of whom were starters.

“Basically, all of the seniors brought something different to practice,” Ward said. “I don’t think I could pick one to say I got anything from.

“I think I just learned one thing from each of them and put my own spin on it.”

Ward has been a varsity regular for four years in two different sports.

In volleyball, she earned all-area honors in her junior and senior seasons. She did the same in basketball as a junior. She’s putting up worthy numbers as a senior.

Ward is still conflicted about what she wants to do in college — at least, a little.

“Actually, it’s been mostly basketball for me since forever,” Ward said. “But I don’t know, this year I kind of brought in volleyball a little bit. I’m thinking about maybe doing (club) in the spring to open up my options.

“I have such good teams to play on. Just Marist as a whole, everyone is so complimentary, supporting me. My volleyball teammates will come to basketball games and my basketball teammates will come to volleyball matches. It’s awesome to have that in both sports.”

Coach’s vote?

“She is able to do both at a high level, which is a crazy thing,” Chimino said. “Waiting for the best fit is OK. We don’t know what she’s going to end up doing at the end of the day. But we’re glad she’s here now.”

Ward’s aim was true Monday against St. Laurence.

She helped the RedHawks jump out to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter with six points. She finished 6-for-8 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

Marist then led by as many as 26 points before Chimino cleared the bench for the fourth quarter.

Daily Southtown

Twice-weekly

News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday

Ward was virtually unstoppable under the basket.

“I’d say that’s kind of my comfort zone — under the basket,” Ward said. “I have definitely expanded my shot. I can knock down a three better this season than I have in previous seasons. But working on my finishing around the basket is very crucial for me.”

And for the team.

“The last few years, Elise hasn’t had to provide that post presence,” Chimino said. “They’ve had people who have dominated on the boards like Emily Bojan and Sydney Affolter. Now, she’s coming in and stepping up big.”

But it goes beyond the boards.

“Whether it’s offensively, defensively, getting rebounds, being a leader, she does it without blinking an eye,” Chimino said. “Elise just puts her head down and goes to work.

“She doesn’t complain. She’s that leader you need on the floor as a senior. She’s awesome.”