Who’s ready for March Madness? Here’s a preview of Illinois girls finals
The high school girls basketball teams from Okawville, Mater Dei Catholic and O’Fallon will resume their pursuits of Illinois state championships beginning Thursday at CEFCU Arena (formerly Redbird Arena) on the campus of Illinois State University.
Here is a preview of each state semifinal game:
O’Fallon vs. Hersey (Arlington Heights), Class 4A
Game time: 2:30 p.m. Friday.
How they got here: The Panthers defeated Bolingbrook 65-48 to capture the Bloomington Super-Sectional at Illinois Wesleyn University. The Huskies defeated Maine South 66-61 to win the Palatine Fremd Super-Sectional.
Records: O’Fallon is 32-4 and went 11-1 in the Southwestern Conference to capture the league title. Hersey is 27-8 and went 9-1 in the Mid-Suburban - East Conference to take the league title.
O’Fallon players to watch: Illinois State recruit Shannon Dowell (senior, G), 21.3 points per game; Indiana State recruit Jailah Pelly (senior, G), 9.1 points per game.
Hersey player to watch: University of Michigan recruit Katie Eidle (senior, G), 19.1 points per game.
What Panthers coach Nick Knolhoff is saying: “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. I already have the film from when Alton played them. Alton played them and beat them, which means we can too (O’Fallon defeated Alton twice this season). So I’m excited,” he said following the super-sectional victory. Knolhoff added this Tuesday, “For this season, it’s been a whirlwind. It’s record breaking on so many levels. Just the overall spotlight that’s been on this team and they’re just taking it step-by-step. The girls just seem like it’s another game to them. They’re happy-go-lucky; they’re loose in the lockerroom; they’re listening to music ... it just calms me down a little bit as well to see how at ease they are before some of these games. For girls basketball it’s come a long way. When we played Alton in the sectional semifinals there were over 2,000 fans in our Panther Dome. There’s a buzz about us. I like our chances. I think we have a great opportunity ahead of us.”
What Hersey coach Mary Fendley is saying: “Every accolade Katie gets, she deserves. We had a stretch throughout — we’ve always had the pieces, but some of our pieces were lost and missing. I don;t think we were ever out and not as good as we were at the beginning of the season. We just weren’t at full strength. Our first game back with everybody was the regional championship.”
Next up: The winner plays for the state championship at 7:15 p.m. Saturday against either Geneva or Lisle Benet Academy. The loser plays for third place at 8:15 p.m. Friday.
Mater Dei vs. Quincy Notre Dame, Class 2A
Game time: 4:15 p.m. Thursday.
How they got here: The Knights defeated Paris 35-26 at the Salem Super-Sectional. The Lady Raiders defeated Deer Creek-Mackinaw 53-21 at the Macomb Super-Sectional.
Records: Mater Dei is 25-7. Quincy Notre Dame is 33-1 and went 7-0 in the West Central - North Conference to take the league title. The Raiders are the defending state champions. The team teams met earlier this season with Quincy ND winning 44-32.
Mater Dei player to watch: Avery Trame (junior, G), 8.1 points per game.
Quincy Notre Dame player to watch: Missouri recruit Abby Schreck (senior, SG), 21 points per game.
What Mater Dei coach Craig Zurliene is saying: “Overall I’m very, very happy and pleased with the progress that we’ve made throughout this season. Our strength of schedule has been nothing short of phenomenal for our girls for reaching and hopefully maintaining our potential.”
What Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne is saying: “Coming to Redbird is truly a great experience. The culture of our program gives us stability. You want to enjoy these moments. We’ll take the team to Olive Garden and just celebrate the night before playing in a semifinal game at state. Those are memories that every coach that’s been lucky enough to be at Redbird for the state finals, those are the true memories you cherish. We’re still a defensive-minded team first. I’m pretty confident the four best teams are at state this year. Both semifinal games are going to be wars. What I worry about is the match-up issues with Mater Dei. They’ve seen us. They know us a little bit. They’re size concerns me.”
Next up: The winner advances to the state championship game at 12:45 p.m. Saturday and will play either Byron or Chicago Noble/Butler. The loser plays for third place at 8:15 p.m. Thursday.
Okawville vs. Galena, Class 1A
Game time: 10 a.m. Thursday
How they got here: The Rockets defeated Havana in the Mt. Sterling Super-Sectional. The Pirates defeated Chicago Hope Academy 53-21 in the Harvest Christian Academy Super-Sectional.
Records: Okawville is 32-4 and went 10-0 in the Illinois Division of the Cahokia Conference to capture the league title. Galena is 33-1 and went 10-0 in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference to capture the league crown.
Okawville players to watch: Alayna Kraus (junior, G), 19.1 points per game; and Briley Rhodes (senior, G), 12.9 points per game.
Galena player to watch: Taylor Burcham (junior, G/F).
What Rockets coach Haylee Bowers is saying: ”If I had to pick our identity I think it’s our willingness to work and the competitiveness to do good in everything. These kids are great people. I enjoy coming to practice every day. I’m just so excited. They push for me and this town and they’re just excited to be here. We like to push the ball. We play better when we’re pushing the ball. I think everyone is ready to get there, enjoy that atmosphere and enjoy the ride.”
What Pirates coach Jamie Watson is saying: “When we’re playing really really well, we’re playing well on the defensive end and we’re limiting teams to one shot per possession. We’ve had our eye on Okawville for quite some time. They’re obviously very, very good. It’s going to be a really-really nice challenge. We’re excited. It’s going to be an awesome game.
Next up: The winner advances to the state championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday and will play either Christopher or Champaign St. Thomas More. The loser plays for third place at 7 p.m. Thursday.