High School Sports

O’Fallon, Okawville & Mater Dei claim sectional crowns in big night of girls hoops action

By Garen Vartanian

The metro-east girls basketball season continued with several key sectional championship games Thursday night.

Here is a quick view of some of the outcomes.

Class 1A Jacksonville Routt Sectional championship

Okawville 63, Carlyle 41

The Rockets rolled past the Indians to claim the sectional crown.

Okawville improved to 31-4, while Carlyle finished the season at 28-6.

Next up: The Rockets advance to the Mt. Sterling Super-Sectional and will face Havana at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27.

Class 2A Du Quoin Sectional championship

Mater Dei 40, Breese Central 38

The Knights slipped past their cross-town rivals to secure the sectional crown.

Mater Dei improved to 24-7, while Breese Central finished the season at 21-12.

Next up: The Knights advance to the Salem Super-Sectional and will face Paris at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27.

Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional championship

O’Fallon 60, Normal Community 42

The Panthers rolled past Normal Community to claim the sectional championship and secure a spot in the super-sectional round.

Shannon Dowell led O’Fallon — which improved to 31-4 — with 22 points, while Josie Christopher and Jailah Pelly each chipped in 14 points.

The Panthers trailed 11-7 after one quarter but outscored the Ironmen 15-8 in the second period for a 22-19 halftime margin. Leading 38-34 after three quarters, OTHS outscored Normal Community 22-8 the final eight minutes to pull away.

Next up: O’Fallon advances to the Bloomington Super-Sectional at Illinois Wesleyan University and will face Bolingbrook at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27.

The O’Fallon girls basketball team defeated Normal Community to claim the championship of the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional. The Panthers now advance to the super-sectional round at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27.
The O’Fallon girls basketball team defeated Normal Community to claim the championship of the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional. The Panthers now advance to the super-sectional round at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27. Provided
O’Fallon coach Nick Knolhoff displays the sectional championship plaque following his team’s 60-42 win against Normal Community at the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional. The Panthers improved to 31-4 on the season.
O’Fallon coach Nick Knolhoff displays the sectional championship plaque following his team’s 60-42 win against Normal Community at the IHSA Class 4A O’Fallon Sectional. The Panthers improved to 31-4 on the season. Provided

This story was originally published February 23, 2023 at 11:43 PM.

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