BATAVIA – Liza Fruendt emerged from the Batavia locker room after the Bulldogs’ season-ending regional loss to St. Charles East last month, emotional over a journey she didn’t want to stop.

The Bulldogs’ path detoured to midcourt a few minutes later, but Batavia’s impromptu team pileup wasn’t the last time players would be together.

The next afternoon, coach Kevin Jensen caved to the Bulldogs’ wishes and held a workout that blended shootaround and practice. At the heart was Fruendt, the Kane County Chronicle Girls Basketball Player of the Year who immediately turned her focus toward improving her game for next fall.