O’Fallon girls continue making program history, punch ticket to Class 4A state tournament
Making program history is becoming a regular occurrence for the O’Fallon girls basketball team.
First, the Panthers captured their first-ever sectional crown. Along the way, they’ve also set the record for most wins in program history. And now, for the first-time ever, the Panthers have added a super-sectional victory and state tournament appearance to their already gaudy 2022-23 resume.
That’s because O’Fallon dispatched Bolingbrook 65-48 on Monday night at the IHSA Class 4A Bloomington Super-Sectional on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University to punch a ticket to Friday’s state tournament. The Panthers improved to 32-4 with the win.
“It’s definitely a dream come true,” O’Fallon coach Nick Knolhoff said. “The girls have worked so hard this season to get to this point.”
The Panthers now play Hersey High School in the state semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, at CEFCU Arena (formerly Redbird Arena) on the campus of Illinois State University.
Overall, Jailah Pelly paced O’Fallon against Bolingbrook with 24 points, including a 14-for-17 showing from the foul line.
“For the night, she would get in the lane and get fouled and she ended 14-of-17 from the free throw line,” Knolhoff said. “That pretty much sealed the game in the fourth quarter. We’d get the ball in her hands, they’d foul, she’d step up and make big free throws for us.”
Illinois State recruit Shannon Dowell added 19 points, while D’Myjah Bolds posted 12 points.
“Shannon Dowell is going to Illinois State, so she definitely wanted to end her (high school) career where she’s going to be beginning her (college) career,” Knolhoff said.
O’Fallon led 9-6 after a quarter, 24-16 at halftime and 38-28 after three quarters. The Panthers put the game away with a 27-point fourth quarter.
“We pretty much controlled the game from the beginning,” said Knolhoff, in his sixth season as the Panthers coach. “We got out to a lead and our defensive pressure was key for us. When we get a lead and we can really spread the floor ... Jailah Pelly is super dangerous and can get to the rim. And when we get stops and get out in transition and run, we’re so good in the open court and that really extended the lead for us in the second half.”
Overall, O’Fallon outshot Bolingbrook 28-7 from the foul line while owning a 37-27 rebounding advantage,
“We owned the boards, got out in transition, got to the free throw line and made our free throws,” Knolhoff said.
What to know about Hersey
Looking ahead to state, Knolhoff already has familiarity with Friday’s opponent as fellow Southwestern Conference counterpart Alton defeated the Huskies 63-50 at a shootout event in January. The Redbirds finished the season at 31-2, with both losses coming to Knolhoff’s club — including a 49-43 outcome in the sectional semifinals.
“To make it this far, you’re obviously very good. And I do kind of know them ... Alton played them and beat them in January,” he said. “I already have the film from when Alton played them. Alton played them and beat them, which means we can too. So I’m excited.”
Knolhoff noted the Huskies’ top player is senior guard Katy Eidle, who has verbally committed to the University of Michigan. Eidle is averaging 19 points per game on the season after averaging 19.9 points per game as a junior and 20 points per game as a sophomore.
State crown next? Stay tuned
Just two games away from a state crown, O’Fallon is ready to finish the job.
“It’s a great run for us. We’ve won 12 in a row since January,” Knolhoff said. “The girls are just ecstatic and are continuing to make history. This is the most wins in program history, our first sectional championship and our first super-sectional (win). We might as well go on and win it all now.”
O’Fallon wasn’t the only metro-east team to punch a ticket to the state tournament. Here’s a quick look at Monday’s other super-sectional games.
Class 1A Mt. Sterling Super-Sectional
Okawville 58, Havana 45
The Rockets rolled to a 13-point victory in the super-sectional round while improving to 32-4.
Next up: Okawville plays Galena in the state semifinals at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 2, at CEFCU Arena (formerly Redbird Arena) on the campus of Illinois State University.
Class 2A Salem Super-Sectional
Mater Dei 35, Paris 26
The Knights are headed to Redbird Arena by virtue of a nine-point win in the super-sectional round.
Mater Dei improved to 25-7.
Next up: The Knights play Quincy Notre Dame in the state semifinals at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at CEFCU Arena (formerly Redbird Arena) on the campus of Illinois State University.
Class 3A Taylorville Super-Sectional
Lincoln 61, Highland 39
The Lady Bulldogs saw their bid for a state tournament appearance fall short.
Highland finished at 26-8. For the full story on this game, please click here or see the News-Democrat’s print edition Wednesday.
Next up: Lincoln advances to play Deerfield in the state semifinals at 11:15 a.m. Friday, March 3, at CEFCU Arena (formerly Redbird Arena) on the campus of Illinois State University.
This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 11:32 PM.