Always having dealt with a lack of height, Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych has known from a young age that she would be going up against bigger players. That’s never slowed down the 5-foot-3 senior point guard, though. “I always like driving,” Dutkanych said. “It’s fun to get fo uled and go to the line. I’m just used to doing that by now.” She isn’t lighting up the stat sheet, but her steady hand has kept ACC going all season. Dutkanych only scored five points Monday, but her ability to handle the ball, get steals and come up with the clutch shot paced the host Chargers to a 54-42 nonconference win over Kaneland. While Dutkanych set the tone, Sofia Orozco led all scorers with 24 points for ACC (17-7). Ashley Watter added 12. Amani Meeks paced Kaneland (17-6) with 10. Grace Brunscheen had nine. Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych (3) splits defense and looks to go up for a layup against Kaneland during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News) Dutkanych has done everything asked of her by coach LeVada Smith, who noticed Dutkanych’s toughness before she even officially suited up for the Chargers. “The summer before her freshman year, I had her playing with us in summer league,” Smith said. “Right away, it was like, ‘This girl is like 5-foot-3 and doesn’t care.’ She’s just out there playing. “She didn’t care who it was.” After bouncing between JV and varsity her first two seasons, Dutkanych settled into the varsity rotation last winter. With four-year starter Sofia Corral and Grace Grunloh, who is out for the season with an injury, both handling the ball, reps at the point were hard to come by. Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych (3) dribbles to create space against Kaneland during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News) Dutkanych tried to get her work in when she could. “This year is a lot different,” Dutkanych said. “It’s my role all the time. I’m just trying to do the best I can because I’m not used to doing it on varsity. I got a lot of work in JV practicing that. “Last year was good too when I got to play point guard for a little bit when the starter wasn’t in.” ACC came out blistering hot Monday, opening the first quarter with a 13-0 lead. Playing its first game in 11 days, Kaneland finally settled in, cutting the deficit to 25-20 at halftime. Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych (3) focuses on her defensive assignment against Kaneland during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News) Kaneland coach Brian Claesson preaches the importance of the first three minutes of the second half, but ACC dominated that stretch to pull away from the Knights. A 9-3 spurt that included a driving layup from Dutkanych pushed the lead to 34-23. “I think there was kind of some rust in there,” Claesson said. “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this because we had some good practices leading up to it. It’s one of those games where I don’t really know what to say to the girls afterward. It’s more like, ‘Hey, let’s refocus.’” Claesson confirmed that ACC’s fast-paced style has given his teams fits in the past. “They’re aggressive,” Claesson said of the Chargers. “They have some skill players. They always kind of give us problems. They played awesome.” Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych (3) shoots a free throw against Kaneland during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News) Dutkanych is the driver of that style this season. Her contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. “A lot of people think a point guard has to score 15-20 points,” Smith said. “I’m like, no, I just want her to get from Point A to Point B, make some shots and get a couple steals like she did. “That’s what you’re supposed to do. Protect the ball. She’s a very underrated point guard. It doesn’t show in the stats. She’s feisty.” The Chargers won their fifth straight Monday, and Dutkanych likes where the arrow is pointing. “I think we’re definitely getting better,” she said. “We’re looking to win regionals. It’s been a few years. Obviously, as a senior, I’d like to go out with a win like that.” Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News. ...read more read less