High School Sports

O’Fallon takes down Alton in IHSA Class 4A sectional semifinals, advances to title game

By Ahmad Lathan

O’Fallon continued its excellent play with a resilient 49-43 victory over Alton on Tuesday night in the semifinals of the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional.

The Panthers improved to 30-4 while posting their second win against the Redbirds this season, their only two setbacks of the campaign.

“We were under the radar, there were articles that kept talking about (Alton) going to state and that kind of fueled us a little bit,” said O’Fallon coach Nick Knolhoff, whose team has won 16 of their last 17 games. “That team deserves all the credit in the world — the type of season that they had was amazing.”

The two teams had met three previous times in 2022-23, with Alton winning a Southwestern Conference contest 40-36 on Dec. 8 and then 52-51 on Dec. 29 in the Mascoutah Invitational, while O’Fallon prevailed 51-38 on Jan. 26 in a league game.

O’Fallon now advances to the sectional championship and will face Normal Community at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. The Ironmen (31-3) defeated East Moline 60-22 in the other sectional semifinal.

The super-sectional round then is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

Against Alton, Illinois State recruit Shannon Dowell posted 10 points for the Panthers. However, teammate and Indiana State recruit Jailah Pelly led the team with 12 points.

“It’s like go big or go home and as a senior you want to go big,” Pelly said.

Regarding the fact the Panthers were the only team to take out Alton this season, Pelly added, “It feels good.”

Alton concludes its campaign with a 31-2 overall record, while returning four starters next season.

“Tonight I wish we would’ve played better,” Redbirds coach Desera Howard said. “The sad thing is that I think both teams were good enough to go up to state, so O’Fallon is going to represent the Southwestern Conference real well.”

Kiyoko Proctor led Alton with 17 points and Jarius Powers added 14 points, but the Redbirds’ leading scorer, Laila Blakeny, was held scoreless for the first time this season.

In the first quarter, O’Fallon freshman Josie Christopher got hot from the corner and knocked down two 3-pointers for an early lead. Proctor, a sophomore, carried the load offensively for Alton with nine points, but the Redbirds did not take advantage of Dowell going down with a ankle sprain early in the first quarter and trailed 19-14 after the first eight minutes.

Alton’s defense stepped up in the second quarter as the Redbirds cut the deficit to three points after Proctor’s fast break layup. Junior D’Myjah Bold scored all four of the Panthers points in the quarter, while the Redbirds ended the half with a 24-23 lead after Proctor’s trey ball.

Both squads went back and forth early in the third quarter before Pelly started to heat up and scored six straight points for a 33-30 advantage heading into the final period.

The Panthers extended their margin to as many as eight points early in the fourth quarter with layups from multiple players and never looked back.

November 5, 2023 - O’Fallon, IL - Alton Kaylea Lacey battle for the ball against OÕFallon Jailah Pelly & Gracie Favela during TuesdayÕs 4A Girls Sectional Semifinals game. [Photo: Jimmy Simmons]
November 5, 2023 - O’Fallon, IL - Alton Kaylea Lacey battle for the ball against OÕFallon Jailah Pelly & Gracie Favela during TuesdayÕs 4A Girls Sectional Semifinals game. [Photo: Jimmy Simmons] Jimmy Simmons For the News-Democrat
O’Fallon Jailah Pelly shoots the ball between two Alton defenders during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43.
O’Fallon Jailah Pelly shoots the ball between two Alton defenders during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43. Jimmy Simmons For the News-Democrat
O’Fallon Josie Christopher brings the ball up court against Alton during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43.
O’Fallon Josie Christopher brings the ball up court against Alton during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43. Jimmy Simmons For the News-Democrat
Alton’s Kaylea Lacey drives the baseline against O’Fallon during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43.
Alton’s Kaylea Lacey drives the baseline against O’Fallon during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43. Jimmy Simmons For the News-Democrat
O’Fallon’s Shannon Dowell drives to the basket against Alton during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43.
O’Fallon’s Shannon Dowell drives to the basket against Alton during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43. Jimmy Simmons For the News-Democrat
O’Fallon Haeli Tart drives to the basket against Alton during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43.
O’Fallon Haeli Tart drives to the basket against Alton during the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional semifinals. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 49-43. Jimmy Simmons For the News-Democrat

This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 10:35 AM.

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