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Illinois Girls Hoops Notebook: Top Performers and Trinity Blazer Notes

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Illinois Girls Hoops Notebook: Top Performers and Trinity Blazer Notes

By Kaleb Carter

Each week, I’ll highlight the best team and individual performances from around the state Illinois girls basketball. It could be a state record, an amazing highlight or anything in between. Last season, I tended to base the top performers on stats from several games over the course of a week. For this season’s individual honorees I’ll be focusing on individual game performances.

As far as teams go, I want to highlight squads that upset highly respected foes, put up absurd statistical performances or set new program records — things of that nature — over the course of the week, which will be focused on results over a week and not just in one game. 

Stats are critical to highlight these players and teams. Get in touch to submit a girls team or player at any point during the 2022-2023 season. You can submit stats to our Twitter, @ILL_HS_Hoops and @ill_hoop_scoops. I can also be reached at KalebCarter4256@gmail.com or on Twitter @Kaleb_M_Carter. 

Editor’s note: Not every submission is included in the top performers. Choices made at KC’s discretion. Games eligible to be considered for top performers (excluding some Trinity notes) were played Nov. 13-20.

Notable Week 1 Team Performances

Trinity

I saw the Blazers take down Taft on the road to open their season on Nov. 15, led by quite the effort from Ciarra Richardson. The senior point guard scored 23 points, including 15-of-17 from the free-throw line. She also grabbed 8 rebounds.

“Attacking is probably No. 1… always No. 1. Shooting is going to come second,” Richardson said after the game. “I just love running with the ball.”

Lauren Miller is an excellent piece for a contending squad, scoring 10 with 12 rebounds in that opening game, while Sophia Rodriguez has shown herself to be quite the shooter and Chloe Santos could come up big on the boards. 

“We have a lot of good pieces, so we think we can go really far this year, especially since we have a lot of seniors,” Richardson said. “Our one goal is to win a sectional.”

The Blazers lost to Thornwood Saturday. On Monday they were led by Lauren Miller’s 31 points and 14 rebounds in a 54-36 win over Rosary.

Fremd

After wins over Lake Zurich and Geneva, both Illinois-Basketball.com top-25 ranked teams, the Vikings are hitting stride early. 

Taylorville

Defeated defending 3A state qualifier Civic Memorial 50-41. Also has wins over Jacksonville and Hillsboro.

O’Fallon

Defeated Whitney Young, the No. 3 ranked Illinois-Basketball.com team in the preseason poll, for the second consecutive season. They also beat MacArthur by 29. 

Carmel

Wins over Hersey (32-31) and Homewood-Flossmoor (61-38) have established the Corsairs as tough customers once more. 

PORTA/A-C

Off to a 4-0 start with wins over Dee-Mack, Riverton, Mt. Pulaski and Eureka to win the Clinton Turkey Classic, led by Cassie Cox.

St. Charles North

The North Stars rolled through the competition at the Burlington Central Thanksgiving Tournament, defeating the Rockets in the title game, 68-34. Amid a 4-0 start, SCN is winning by 45 points per game.

York

Mariann Blass and company have started hot, with relatively comfortable wins over St. Charles East, Downers Grove South, Prospect and Marist. 

Aurora Central Catholic

They’re 4-0 after wins against Newark, Sandwich, Somonau and LaSalle-Peru, scoring at least 52 in every game. Riley Cwinski is off to a great start.

Dunlap

Started 3-0 with wins over East Moline, Pekin and Eisenhower (Decatur). Julia Sollberger combined for 35 points over the two games and had 6 assists versus Pekin.

Lincoln-Way West

Ava Gugliuzza has the Warriors out to a blazing start of 4-0, which included wins over South Suburban strongholds Providence Catholic and Joliet West (both by 3 points). 

Loyola Academy

A win over defending 4A champs Stevenson (the second straight season they’ve beaten the Patriots early) has the Ramblers 3-0.

Huntley

The Raiders are chugging along and looking at a potential spot in the Illinois-Basketball.com top 25. They’ve beaten Boylan, Hononegah and Saint Viator, all by double digits. 

Glenbrook South

Won Mundelein’s tournament and went 5-0. Closest game was an 18-point victory.

Cissna Park

At 4-0 after a week, the Timberwolves have something good brewing. Knocked off perennially strong Watseka and Bishop McNamara in consecutive games.

Notable Week 1 Individual Game Performances

Madison Davis, Marian l Catholic, Jr.

33 points, 6 steals, 5 rebounds in a win over Latin.

Kloe Froebe, Lincoln, Jr.

39 points as Lincoln defeated Williamsville.

Shelby Bowman, West Central, Jr.

One of the state’s better scorers, had 40 points in win over BPC.

Ciara McMahon, Rolling Meadows, Jr.

26 points, school-record 8 3-pointers made in a 64-16 Mustangs victory over Jacobs.

Molly O’Riordan, Barrington, Jr.

31 points, 6 rebounds in 67-63 win over Maine South.

Lexi Kerstein, Deerfield, Sr.

Vermont commit had 29 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting, 11-of-13 from the floor, 8 rebounds, 8 steals and 3 assists as the Warriors beat Schaumburg.

Mia Moore, East Aurora, Sr.

41 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals.

Amiah Hargrove, Christopher, Jr.

28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks in a DuQoin Tournament championship win over Pinckneyville.

Danyella Mprorokoso, Waubsonie Valley, Fr.

26 points, 9 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 assists in her first varsity game, a win over Oswego.

Audrey Sabol, Nokomis, Sr.

24 points, 18 rebounds and reached 1,000 career points in beating Vandalia.

Lexi Sepulveda, Plainfield East, Jr.

Exploded for 46 points as PE beat Lockport 77-59.

Grace Nelson, Altamont, Jr.

37 points and 8 rebounds in a win over Vandalia.

Denver Anderson, Mt. Zion, Jr.

The junior, who has recently been courting D-I attention, put up a robust stat line of 21 points, 11 steals, 8 rebounds and 7 assists against Jacksonville.

Ella Bequette, Woodlawn, Sr.

Scored 19 points and pulled down school-record (breakig her own mark) 24 rebounds in a win over Cairo.

Ruari Quarnstrom, St. Thomas More, Jr.

Scored 30 in a 71-38 win versus TCSV in the Maroa-Forsyth tourney.

Shakara McCline, East St. Louis, Sr.

Scored 32 with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in a win over Gateway Tech (MO.).

Peyton Gerdes, Grayslake North, Sr.

Put up 35 points and averaged 26 points through 5 games.

Apple Guerrero, Argo, Sr.

27 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists in a game.

Emma Yakey, St. Charles East, Sr.

21 points and broke the Saints’ record for all-time 3-pointers made.

Janae Kent, Oak Forest, Sr.

Scored 29 and shot 16-of-19 on free throws in a 55-44 win over Kankakee.

Illinois-Basketball.com is an independent sports site fully funded by owner Jakub Rudnik. Consider a small donation to help us pay for the site maintenance and writers. All donations will be used to fund more basketball stories this season.

 
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Schwieger, Welch Have Big Roles for Loyola to Begin Season

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Schwieger, Welch Have Big Roles for Loyola to Begin Season

Christian Jones’ defense, acumen giving him time on floor for UIC

By Kaleb Carter

CHICAGO — Ben Schwieger had gone quite a while without playing in regular-season, competitive basketball games. Schwieger wasn’t thrust into a critical role upon his arrival on the Loyola University campus, taking a redshirt season in 2021-22.

This season it’s full steam ahead, and Schwieger looks ready to ramble.

“Playing with more physicality for offense and defense, defensively just dictating where the other team is going to go,” Schweiger said, discussing his immediate priorities for improvement. “And then offensively being aggressive and just keeping that mindset.

“(My) goals as a Rambler, win as many championships as possible, whether it’s our Thanksgiving Myrtle Beach Tournament, bring back a championship,” he added. “Or March Madness winning games and getting some hardware.”

After a quiet first Loyola home game, Schwieger was big early on his way to 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in a 70-63 road win over the UIC Flames. He looked somewhat tentative with the ball at times in the first half, but shook that and played with confidence as the game wore on. 

“Today is what we wanted to see,” Loyola second-year coach Drew Valentine said after the UIC game. “I thought he was super aggressive and super assertive. Ben is super talented, and the last two games (one exhibition) we’ve played prior to today, he’s looked like a freshman that was scared to mess up or scared to fail. Mess up would be with me, fail would be himself internally.

“I think today he said, ‘Screw it, I’m going to play,’” Valentine continued. “What you guys saw today, that’s what he looked like the last two months of the year on scout team when he started against guys like Lucas Williamson … and Tate Hall, it was like that every day. We’ve been excited about Ben.”

Recruited by Valentine as one of prior Ramblers coach Porter Moser’s former assistants, Schwieger has maintained a steady relationship with the staff.

“Drew was an assistant when he was recruiting me and then got promoted, and  I decided to stay because our relationship was really close,” Schwieger said. “When I was in high school it was really close and it continued to stay that way. With all the other coaches, it’s like a family relationship. Everybody’s willing to get in the gym with you whenever you need to.”

Schwieger managed 5 points in 17 minutes of play Thursday versus Tulsa. He did not play in a loss to Boise State Saturday due to experiencing bronchitis. Sunday, he sored 8 points but struggled with 6 turnovers in a 67-51 loss to Texas A&M. 

Naperville North graduate and senior Tom Welch is beginning to come into his own after playing a more limited role behind Loyola’s recent string of strong forwards in the program.

Welch was a perfect 14-of-14 from the floor with 25 rebounds through Loyola’s three games (15-of-16 through four games) and is commanding the attention and respect of his teammates. A one-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year in boys soccer, Welch has become more vocal and played 23 minutes before fouling out late against UIC.

Welch, who had not averaged more than 10.4 minutes per game over the past three seasons with just one start before this season, has started the first five games for the Ramblers this season. He scored 6 with 6 rebounds vs. Tulsa, but was scoreless in 18 minutes vs. A&M. 

“He’s been great all summer. He’s changed his body, he’s guarding better on the perimeter, he’s shooting it better,” Valentine said. “The other day I challenged him after our exhibition game because… you’ve been in the program for four years now. You’re 72-26 in your college career with a Sweet 16 and another NCAA Tournament. Multiple appearances and the other season was a COVID year and he won 20 games.

“So play like it when you’re out on the court,” Valentine continued. “I think he’s commanding the floor more in a leadership role, kind of how (Cameron) Krutwig used to do from the backside. Since he’s stepping up, it takes the burden off our guys. He’s back there directing traffic. I just like how consistent he’s been with his body.”

True freshman and Tuscola grad Jalen Quinn started Friday evening but played less than he did in the opener, in which he scored 9 points in an overtime win over Farleigh Dickinson. Valentine said Quinn was one of few players on the team who has not missed time due to injury or illness. Quinn added 8 points against Tulsa and 4 versus Boise State.  

Of those players dealing with time off the court due to knee trouble is Brother Rice grad and senior Marquise Kennedy. Kennedy returned to the court Thursday, scoring 9 points in the loss to Tulsa in 20 minutes. He added 8 points and 7 rebounds in the loss to A&M.

Jones Playing Notable Minutes Right Away For Flames

East St. Louis grad Christian Jones played 20-plus minutes for the Flames in the loss to Loyola, tallying 5 steals. One of those steals culminated with a two-handed slam in front of the UIC band. Jones’ energy helped the Flames take a second-half lead they ultimately couldn’t hold on to. 

“You can tell players in practice what it’s going to be like. You can show them on film what it’s going to be like, you can go through practice and put them in situations, but when you get game intensity in the moment, that’s when you really have to rely on your training and your experience,” UIC coach and LaSalle-Peru graduate Luke Yaklich said. “For CJ, he’s going to have an incredible career here. He’s long, athletic and he’s figuring out the game and how to use his skills at the college level and his body right now in order to be the best player he can be.

“He competed really hard tonight, and he like everybody else wants to play better,” Yaklich continued. “But CJ, the great thing about him is his acumen is really high. He’s a cerebral player. He’s going to take this and he’s a quick learner.”

The freshman scored 9 points on 4-of-12 shooting Saturday in a loss to Fordham. 

UIC announced Monday Nov. 14 that Yaklich’s contract had been extended through the 2025-26 season. 

Illinois-Basketball.com is an independent sports site fully funded by owner Jakub Rudnik. Consider a small donation to help us pay for the site maintenance and writers. All donations will be used to fund more basketball stories this season.

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Ridgewood Notebook: Indrusaitis Settling In With St. Rita; Notes on Bloom’s Brown, WV’s Langendorf

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Ridgewood Notebook: Indrusaitis Settling In With St. Rita; Notes on Bloom’s Brown, WV’s Langendorf

By Kaleb Carter

Nojus Indrusaitis is drawing eyes on a national level after an explosive sophomore season. But his prep career has taken him into Chicago, as the rising junior has a new squad.

The class of 2024 wing was previously part of a burgeoning young group at Lemont. Early June he shared his intent to transfer and has been playing with the St. Rita Mustangs since.

He’ll join an already talented group with power conference recruiting prowess from the likes of fellow rising juniors Morez Johnson, an Illinois commit, and James Brown.

After going 23-12 a season ago, Indrusaitis’ arrival places the Mustangs among the upper echelon of the state a season removed from a sectional finals appearance (a 75-68 loss to consensus Illinois top-10 squad Kenwood). 

The Sun-Times’ Michael O’Brien actually had Lemont ranked higher in his 2021-22 end-of-season Super 25 rankings (Lemont at 13, St. Rita at 22). But Indrusaits’ presence makes St. Rita instantly superior to last season’s team in terms of talent on the floor. 

“It was just an opportunity to play against the best, and getting better is my main priority,” Indrusaitis said. “My goal would be to be a better defender for next year.”

At the Ridgewood Live Event (June 24-26) and Riverside Brookfield Shootout (the weekend prior), Indrusaitis’ athleticism was on display. The lengthy 6-6 combo player, said he’s hit a growth spurt since last year.

The capable scorer recently picked up offers from Marquette, Missouri and Iowa. He’s held an offer from Illinois since last season, and has offers from DePaul and Maryland as well. 

Indrusaitis said that needed chemistry with his new teammates will come through time spent together on the court. 

“I want to have a good relationship with them,” Indrusaitis said. “(I’m) looking for the best opportunity like finding out where I could impact winning.”

Indrusaitis has been playing on the Meanstreets 16U AAU team, and is plenty familiar with teammate Brown. 

“Our mindset is to win every time we step on the floor and be aggressive on defense,” Indrusaitis said. “Just being the best that I can motivates me.”

Jordan Brown Finding His Voice for Reloaded Bloom Township

Jordan Brown is an unassuming presence on the basketball court. But he should begin to draw eyes as Bloom reloads with a talented bunch of returners and transfers. 

Bloom lost its top two scorers from a season ago in brothers K.J. and Gianni Cobb, as the pair transferred to Perspectives. 

Brown is a 6-3 senior guard who facilitates aplenty and was able to step into big scoring role at times a season ago. He will have to more in 2022-23 as the top returning scorer. 

Coach Dante Maddox Sr. said that while 6-7 senior center Michael Garner is the most vocal of those on the floor, he’s pushing Brown to take on a bigger role in that facet of the game. 

“I’ve just been trying to use my voice,” Brown said. “I used to be real quiet because I was scared to talk. But as coach is trusting me more, I started to get comfortable with talking to my teammates.”

“Jordan is a 3.5 [GPA] student,” Maddox Sr. said. “High character, low maintenance and is selfless. He is about the team and has been raised right by his family. Family-oriented young man. He will help a program because he is a winner on and off the court.

Maddox also noted that Raeshom Harris, a 6-4 senior guard, will be key in helping new transfers adapt to the culture of the program, as will junior wings Jaden Clark (6–4) and Santana Flowers (6-5). 

Transfers Elijah Livermore (sophomore point guard), and seniors Jayden Watson (6-6) and Lierre Collier (6-2) will contribute majorly. 

At the Ridgewood Live Event, the Blazing Trojans trounced St. Charles North and handed New Trier a double-digit defeat, both of which Illinois-basketball.com was in attendance for. Bloom also defeated DePaul Prep and Normal West. 

Brown said he has lofty goals for the season. To get there, he knows his shooting has to improve, and he’s confident the college offers will soon begin to roll in. Improving his shooting is his most immediate goal. 

“I noticed throughout the course of last year’s season, teams having been making me shoot because I go the basket so much, so shooting 100,” he said. 

Langendorf Keys in on Defense for Waubonsie Valley

The offensive production isn’t in question for Waubonsie Valley 6-6 senior forward Jackson Langendorf. 

The Langendorf name has been a feature of Aurora-area hoops the last few years. His brother Carter, once an all-DuPage Valley Conference player, is now playing at Concordia University. 

Jackson Langendorf was an all-DVC player and second team Naperville Sun all-area while averaging 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as a junior. At Ridgewood, he showed off an array of back-to-the-basket moves in the post, as well as some face-up looks to mid-range depth. He’s already taken time to add to his offensive game this offseason. 

“I thought I had a good [junior] season, but there was a lot more I could’ve done and it was my first varsity season so I definitely learned a lot,” the rising senior said. “This year I definitely feel like I’ve gotten stronger and more athletic and will improve upon both those things throughout the rest of the summer. I’ve also sped up my shot and cleaned up the mechanics, so I’m feeling a lot more confident in that. And I feel like I’m really versatile, so I’m pretty excited about what I and the team can do this season.”

Where Langendorf knows he needs to be part of something bigger is on the defensive side of the ball in the second year under coach Andrew Schweitzer. 

“We have such long close outs we’ve got to be able to contest while not letting guys just get in the lane,” Langendorf said. “But one of the other biggest things is communication. Again that’s important in any defense but because our defense is always changing — due to personnel or play style of the other team — we really have to communicate. For me, the biggest things to make us successful is playing physical and keeping the ball out of the post when we can, then contesting shots in the corners and definitely rebounding.”

Teammate Treshawn Blissett, a junior 6-5 forward, also garnered attention at Ridgewood. 

For the weekend, the Warriors lost to Glenbrook North, Riverside Brookfield and Marist, but found themsleves in lower-scoring games, seemingly to their liking. Before Ridgewood, the Warriors had blossomed at Normal West’s shootout, which included a 16-point win over Rock Island. 

“The summer has been going really well for us,” Langendorf said. “We went 4-0 last weekend at Normal West, and we’ve been spending a lot of time in the weight room and getting more athletic. As a group this offseason we’re working on getting even better at our defense because it’s our second year playing it as a program and it’s so unique. And we’re also working on sharpening up our offense of course, but I’d say our biggest priority besides the X’s and O’s has definitely been the weight room.”

Kaleb Carter’s 2021-22 End-Of-Year Superlatives: Girls Basketball

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Kaleb Carter’s 2021-22 End-Of-Year Superlatives: Girls Basketball

By Kaleb Carter

The girls basketball season has been over for a while. With some time removed from the season, I wanted to share final thoughts on the great basketball I watched. I created a list of superlatives to do just that.

I witnessed 38 girls basketball games this season and this list is specific to players and teams I saw in person. Most of what I was able to get to was weekend invites, as it was the best way to see as many teams as possible. It’s a Chicagoland-heavy list, but that was the bulk of the players and teams I watched this season.

Ms. Bright Lights

Simone Sawyer  posted 35 and 31 points, respectively, against Chicago’s top two teams (Kenwood and Whitney Young), as well as 26 in a state championship win over Barrington. Sawyer never shied away from big moments. Even with a less robust average stat line than many of the state’s better players, Sawyer was considered heavily for 4A player of the year.

Most impressive looking player

Katy Eidle of Hersey looked like she was capable of anything with the ball in her hands, and had to handle a great deal of responsibility after the injury sustained to teammate Meghan Mrowicki. She led her team to a 27-5 overall, 9-1 record in MSL East — one of the best conferences in the state.

Most exciting team

Deerfield’s high-octane, guard-oriented attack made every game they were in fun to watch, regardless of opponent.

Best defensive look

Galena’ 1-3-1 zone look in the state title game almost brought them a state title, as Brimfield had scored just 12 points well into the third quarter. But Brimfield made a run and prove its might. I also watched a stream of the state semis where Galena held Serena to one point in the first half against Serena.

Glue players

As far as players who helped keep their teams together, the following caught my eye for their less-noticed contributions:

  • Stevenson’s Kendell Williams (2024)
  • Carmel Catholic’s Mia Gillis (2023)
  • Fremd’s Kace Urlacher (2023)
  • Whitney Young’s Maia Downes (2022)
  • Kenwood’s Ariana Bullock-Williams (2024).

Ms. Fearless

Kenwood’s Brianna McDaniel has a game that won’t take a backseat to anyone. She is always in attack mode and always getting to the rim. Not that she can’t shoot, her complete offensive package makes her unlike anyone I saw this year, even coming off an ACL tear. 

Most dominant team performance

It’s between a 50-21 Nazareth win over Sandburg thanks to the Roadrunners’ stifling defense, and a 64-13 Carmel Catholic win over Grayslake North. 

Most dominant individual performance

Given the circumstances, Abbey Schreacke’s 2A title game record 35 points, to go with 11 rebounds, was quite the demonstration to see, as Quincy Notre Dame claimed the state title in Redbird Arena.

Others included Lincoln-Way West’s Ava Gugliuzza scoring 40 versus Sycamore and Simone Sawyer’s 35 against Kenwood. I also watched Sophie Swanson explode in wins over Libertyville and a loss to Naperville North. 

Best game I saw

Geneva’s 59-53 win over Benet at Morton College’s Christmas Tournament featured a hot Vikings squad that handed Benet its second loss of the season and first to an Illinois team. The trio of Leah Palmer, Cassidy Arni and Zosia Wrobel played a whale of a game, and shut down one of the state’s better players in Lenee Beaumont. Meanwhile, Morgan Demos had 25 points as Benet fell just short. It looked like a postseason preview of sorts, before Geneva was upset by St. Charles East. 

Also considered Maine South’s CSL championship victory over Deerfield, Stevenson’s win over Kenwood at Trinity High School in the Midwest Hoops Spotlight Shootout, and Whitney Young’s win over Kenwood in the CPL city championship game. Lincoln-Way West’s overtime victory over Sycamore at Trinity is also worth a shoutout.

Aesthetically pleasant throwback style

Lake Zurich gets a shoutout from me for playing an extremely enjoyable brand of basketball, not because it’s high-octane and explosive, but because of its balanced, fundamentally-focused ways.

Fun bench units

Mother McAuley, Resurrection, Amundsen, Naperville North, Geneva, Batavia, Whitney Young, Stevenson.

Most hectic atmosphere

Stevenson versus Kenwood at the Midwest Hoops Spotlight Classic, as previously mentioned, was a blast. In addition to the families and fans in attendance, college coaches and those just curious about the matchups and buzz on the floor made it a wild evening at Trinity’s gym in River Forest.

Way-Too-Early Player of the Year Watchlist

1A: Amiah Hargrove, Christopher (2024); Alayna Kraus, Okawville (2024); Grace Nelson, Altamont (2024); Abby Compton, Goreville (2024); Klare Flynn, Brown County (2023); Grace Furlong, Galena (2025); Sophia Hoffman, Carlyle (2025); Sydney Richards, Neoga, (2023).

2A: Abbey Schreacke, Quincy Notre Dame (2023); Xamiya Walton, Butler College Prep (2024); Ellie Cahill, Eureka (2023); Amayah Doyle, Carterville (2024); Ensley Tedeschi, Benton (2023); Megen Senaj, Latin, (2023). 

3A: Kloe Froebe, Lincoln (2024); Janae Kent, Oak Forest (2023); Jordan Wood, Carmel Catholic (2023); Claire McDougall, Washington (2023); Mya Wardle, Peoria Notre Dame (2024); Aaliyah Guyton, Peoria (2024); Amalia Dray, Nazareth (2024); Evyn Carrier, Sycamore (2023).

4A: Lenee Beaumont, Benet (2023); Skylar Jones, Whitney Young (2023); Destiny Jackson, Whitney Young (2025); Alyssa Latham, Homewood-Flossmoor (2023); Sophie Swanson, Barrington (2023); Katy Eidle, Hersey, (2023); Tahj-Monet Bloom (2024); Lisa Thompson, Joliet West (2023); Emily Fisher, Libertyville (2023).

Glenbard West Finishes Dominant Season, Beats Young in 4A Title

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Glenbard West Finishes Dominant Season, Beats Young in 4A Title

Glenbard West celebrates the first state title in program history. (Photo: Chaqwonn Jones)

By Jakub Rudnik

CHAMPAIGN — Glenbard West proved without a doubt that it is the best boys basketball team in Illinois for the 2021-22 season.

The Hilltoppers began the season at the top of the polls, and it closed out the year with a 56-34 win in the 4A state title over No. 2 Whitney Young.

Glenbard West dominated the game much like it did the season: from beginning to end. The Hilltoppers led 13-6 after the first quarter and 25-16 at halftime. A 17-4 third quarter in favor of Glenbard West put the result out of question.

No Illinois team beat the 37-1 Hilltoppers, who only fell to California’s Sierra Canyon — a nationally ranked team — on a buzzer-beater. 

“The accomplishment and the goals that these guys had at the beginning of the season and summer, to maintain them; to never look ahead, to respect all opponents; to play the right way, to have the sportsmanship, the caliber of character they have,” Jason Opoka said. “Words can’t explain how proud I am to be their coach.”

Guard Paxton Warden scored a game-high 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Gonzaga recruit Braden Huff scored in a variety of ways, finishing with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Forward Ryan Renfro had eight points and four rebounds.

“Especially this game, just being the last with these guys, it was for sure one I was ready for and not willing to lose,” Huff said. “Big games like these, I just get really amped for and excited for. I think we all do.”

Glenbard West’s all-senior starting lineup of Warden, Huff, Bobby Durkin, Ryan Renfro and Caden Pierce proved once again that it had too many weapons to be stopped. The seasoned group won the first state title in season history. 

“It’s kind of a sad moment, for sure, because it’s our last moments together [as a basketball team,'” Warden said.

Whitney Young matched its second-place finish of 2018. It won a state title the previous year.

Young was the only Chicago team in Saturday’s championship games. Its loss guaranteed the first season without a Chicago state title team since 2006. A Chicago team had one at least one state title every season since Illinois moved to four classes in 2008.

Senior forward Xavier Amos led Whitney Young (25-10) with 14 points and five rebounds. Senior forward AJ Casey and senior point guard Dalen Davis each finished with six points and four rebounds.

Miracle Shot Gives Sacred Heart-Griffin 3A Title Over Metamora

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Miracle Shot Gives Sacred Heart-Griffin 3A Title Over Metamora

Sacred Heart-Grffin's Zack Hawkinson embraces coach Tim Allen after winning the 3A title. (Photo: Chaqwonn Jones)

By Jakub Rudnik

CHAMPAIGN — Keshon Singleton’s last-second heave hit the rim, the backboard and then the rim two more times. 

But it went in, and Sacred Heart-Griffin won the 3A boys state title, 53-50.

It wasn’t what the Cyclones drew up with the game tied in double overtime. Instead, a kicked ball forced Singleton to throw up a fadeaway three as time expired. 

“The ball was loose and I was like, ‘Ok, I’ve gotta throw up a prayer to even have a chance,’” Singleton said. “It went in … I’m just so proud we can call ourselves state champions.”

The Cyclones needed many bounces to go their way late to even have the chance.

With 5:11 remaining in the fourth quarter, Metamora scored to go up 38-32. But Sacred Heart-Griffin held Metamora to four points the rest of regulation, forcing six turnovers with a frenetic press. 

“If you start playing defense like that, the whole team will be fouled out,” Cyclones coach Tim Allen said of turning up the defensive pressure. “You have to pull that out fourth quarter, maybe overtime. … That’s exhausting to play that hard.”

Junior forward Zack Hawkinson scored in the paint with four seconds remaining to complete the comeback. He led all players with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

Metamora led 50-46 in the second overtime after two Drew Tucker free throws. Hawkinson answered with a basket in the post to cut the lead to two.

On the other end, Metamora appeared to have a clear lane to the basket but a timeout was called by coach Danny Grieves. Instead of a Metamora basket, J’veon Bardwell made two free throws after a steal and fast break.

On the next Metamora possession, Hawkinson forced Metamora junior Ethan Kizer to dribble off his leg out of bounds. 

The possession change led to the final possession of the game.

Sacred Heart Griffin was in the 2019 state finals before they were cancelled as the pandemic began. The team started the 2021-22 season in 2A before learning they’d be bumped up to 3A. The Cyclones won two other overtime games in the state series.

“When he shot it and it hit the front of the rim, I was just like, ‘It’s going in,’ I just had a feeling,” Allen said. “Our season had been like that. 

“There’s no better ending than the ending we had today,” Allen said. 

Jake Hamilton and Singleton each finished with nine points and four rebounds for the Cyclones.

For Metamora, Tyson Swanson scored a team-high 17 points, including a 10 in a row in the third quarter. Zack Schroeder had 11 points and nine rebounds, and Drew Tucker scored 10 points.

Hoepker’s Heroics Clinch 2A State Title for Nashville over Monticello

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Hoepker’s Heroics Clinch 2A State Title for Nashville over Monticello

Nashville celebrates its 2A state title. (Photo: Chaqwonn Jones)

By Jakub Rudnik

CHAMPAIGN — With 2:40 remaining in the boys 2A state title game, Monticello layup put the Sages up six. In a 31-25 game, Nashville’s deficit seemed enormous.

Twelve seconds later, Nolan Heggemeier’s three cut the lead in half. With a minute to go, Kolten Gajewski’s basket made it 31-30 Monticello. 

On the other end, Monticello’s Tanner Buehnerkemper missed a layup, rebounded by Saxton Hoepker. Hoepker slashed to the rim on the other end, finishing his own layup to put Nashville up 32-31.

After a timeout, Monticello wound down the clock. Ben Cresap was forced into a mid-range shot. 

Hoepker was there to deny him, sealing the comeback win for Nashville.

“I feel like we stole one there,” Nashville coach Patrick Weathers said. “I can’t say enough about how resilient this bunch of guys are sitting up here with me.”

Hoepker averaged 15 points per game this season, but he was scoreless until 4:31 remaining in the game. He finished with four points, five rebounds and two blocks — and arguably the two biggest plays of the game.

“For that [block] to seal the game, that’s huge,” Hoepker said. “Kilten [Gajewski] had a great game and carried us most of the way, but that block at the end felt great.”

Gajewski led all players with 14 points and 11 rebounds. He averaged less than six points and six rebounds for the season.

“I think it just goes to effort — I like playing hard,” Gajewski said. “I don’t know really what I’ve changed, but it’s been working lately. Just to go out there and play on this stage has loosened me up a little bit I guess.”

Kilten Gajewski and Saxton Hoepker embrace after winning the 2A state title.

Nashville finished as the 2A runner-up in 2019. Its football team was the football 2A runner-up in 2020. Those experiences helped 30-4 Nashville in its biggest game of the season.

“It’s a huge factor,” senior guard Isaac Turner said. “If it’s your first time playing in a state tournament, you’re going to have nerves. Since I’ve been a part of four of them, it helps me stay calm and play it like another game — not try and force, not try and do too much.”

Monticello was led by seniors Dylan Ginalick (11 points), Cresap (eight points) and Buehnerkemper (three points and 10 rebounds).

Monticello finished 33-4 and advanced further than any team in program history.

“It says here we shot 11-for-31,” Buehnerkemper said. “But I really wanted that last one to go in. I knew if I would have made that we would have won. 

“But one shot doesn’t define me,” he added. “One shot doesn’t define us. One shot doesn’t define the season. We’ve got to keep our heads up high, we did a great job.”

Yorkville Christian Overcomes Slow Start to Beat Liberty for 1A Title

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Yorkville Christian Overcomes Slow Start to Beat Liberty for 1A Title

Yorkville Christian senior K.J. Vasser holds the state championship trophy. (Photo: Chaqwonn Jones)

By Jakub Rudnik

CHAMPAIGN — Down 10-8 after the first quarter, Yorkville Christian was in uncharted territory.

The Mustangs had been untested in its run to the 2022 state title game. In order, its win differentials: 62, 44, 40, 44, 34, 38 and 43 points.

Coach Aaron Sovern made sure his team knew there was plenty of game left to be played.

“I said, ‘We can’t play a whole lot worse offensively, and I don’t know that they can play a whole lot better,'” Sovern said. “‘So we’re fine.’ I think I even said, ‘Take a deep breath, let’s go.'”

Liberty played Yorkville Christian tougher than any other team in the state series, but Yorkville won each of the next three quarters to earn the first state title in program history, 54-41.

The game was a defensive struggle early on. The teams combined to shoot 7-of-24 with six turnovers in the first quarter. They were a combined 17-of-48 and 6-of-21 from three in the first half as Liberty clung to a 21-20 lead.

Liberty keyed on Yorkville Christian senior shooting guard and Duke commit Jaden Schutt. He finished with 12 points on 4-or-12 shooting, just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc.

“We looked at film in the preseason, because we knew if we were getting to the championship game we’d be facing him,” Liberty senior forward Logan Robbins said. “I just tried to look for some points I could pick up on, just to try to maybe get a little edge.”

Photo: Chaqwonn Jones

In the second half the Mustangs found their offense without Schutt. Senior guard K.J. Vasser attacked the basket, making 5-of-12 baskets overall and hitting all four of his free throws. He led the team with 15 points. Tyler Burrows hit 5-of-7 shots for 13 points. David Douglas Jr. scored 11.

Vasser was key early in the fourth during a Yorkville Christian run that broke the game open, with a pair of steals and seven points in the span of minutes.

“We went into halftime down one,” Schutt said. “When we play a lot of tough teams [during the season] we’re going to get down. I want to give a shoutout to K.J. [Vasser], just his leadership, keeping guys in it with his intensity. Him and Tyler [Burrows] just being great leaders out there.”

Yorkville Christian finished 25-13 after playing a brutal regular-season schedule filled with 4A and 3A opponents.

“It’s definitely been a grind, and definitely mission accomplished,” Sovern said. “As we’ve said forever, this was our goal at the beginning of the year. I can’t say enough about these guys, they definitely found a way.”

Liberty finished 30-6 for the season, advancing further and winning more games than any team in program history. 

An emotional coach Greg Altmix paused for 10 seconds in the post-game press conference when answering a question on how proud he was of the team.

“Players who are willing to come out and play this way and do what you ask as a coach, they make my job easy,” Altmix said.

“Knowing that a couple of guys didn’t even have the chance to even take the court last season and seeing them come back,” Altmix continued. “You have young men who are going to be successful in life because they’ve learned a lot of life lessons through basketball.”

Whitney Young Bests Kenwood for Super Sectional, City Superiority

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In the eyes of Whitney Young coach Tyrone Slaughter, there’s no rivalry with Kenwood. His team beat the Broncos 75-62 at UIC to win a 4A Super Sectional, send his team downstate and take bragging rights.

“There is no rivalry,” Slaughter said. “They have no state championships, we have five. They’ve never really beaten us in anything substantive. I don’t know how that ‘rivalry’ has come together.

“As of today, we have shown that we are the superior program, we are the superior team,” Slaughter continued. “Our girls beat their girls in the state playoffs, sent them home. Our boys have done likewise. … There is no rivalry, that myth is over. You have to beat someone to have a rivalry.”

It was an intense, often chaotic rubber match between the city’s top two teams. Young jumped out to a 23-13 lead on a Dalen Davis jumper to beat the first-quarter buzzer. Kenwood clawed back many times, but the early hole was too much to dig out of.

“You can’t come into these games, in the [Super] Sectional final and jump down to a team like Whitney Young,” Kenwood coach Mike Irvin said. “They’re a veteran team, they’ve been there. We started from behind and never could get over that hump.”

Young got contributions from across its veteran stars. Senior forward Xavier Amos had eight points in the first quarter and the first five of the final frame, finishing with 19 points. Senior forward AJ Casey scored 14 points, including six points and an assist over the final 2:34. Junior forward Daniel Johnson added 15 points and nine rebounds.

But the star of the night was Davis, who scored 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, adding seven assists. He hit a number of contested mid-range jumpers and seemed to get to the rim at will for his patented left layups.

“We have the best guard in the city,” Slaughter added.

Whitney Young heads back downstate for the first time since 2017-18, when it finished second. It won its most recent state title the year before, in 2016-17.

“It was our last time here, so we wanted to leave a mark,” Davis said.

Kenwood’s junior stars Darrin Ames and Davius Loury were electric: Ames scored 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting; Loury scored 16 points and added 11 rebounds. Sophomore big man Calvin Robins scored 12 points and added seven boards.

But 13 turnovers and 3-16 shooting from beyond the arc cost the Broncos. Senior and Nevada commit Trey Pettigrew went 3-for-10 from the field. Fellow senior and backcourt starter Darius Robinson went scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting.

The Broncos project to return several top-rated players in their respective classes to a team that went further in the playoffs than any in program history.

“Next year, with what we have coming back, we should be in position to be No. 1 in the state,” Irvin said. 

Simeon Outlasts Lemont to Win 3A Super Sectional

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With 41 seconds remaining in the 3A Super Sectional matchup with Lemont, Simeon forward Miles Rubin strode to the free-throw line.

Lemont had cut a 12-point deficit heading into the fourth to just three points, and had fouled Rubin for the one-and-one. 

He knocked down the first, just net. He shot the second: Same result.

Rubin and the Wolverines held on to beat Lemont 52-47, winning the UIC Super Sectional and advancing to the state semifinals. 

Rubin finished with a game-high 22 points, adding seven rebounds and five blocks.

“I felt like if I got going early, I would be good at the end of games,” Rubin said. “That’s what I did.”

Simeon jumped out to a 17-5 lead after the first quarter on the backs of Rubin and twin brother Wesley Rubin, who counted for 10 points and eight rebounds at the end of the quarter. Lemont had no answer early for the 6-7 junior duo.

But Lemont hung around, forcing turnovers on Simeon’s experienced backcourt and getting timely threes from its role players. The team, minus sophomore sensation Nojus Indrusaitis, went 6-for-13 from three.

But Simeon’s defense on Indrusaitis was one of the keys to the game. He finished 3-for-14 overall and 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. Simeon junior guard Michael Ratliff keyed on Indrusaitis for much of the game, giving the Wolverines key bench minutes.

“He was huge,” Simeon coach Michael Smith said. “We got in some foul trouble early in the game. Michael Ratliff came in and gave us a big boost. That’s what he does. When these guys are tired … we bring Michael Ratliff in and he can play multiple positions. He’s a bigger kid, he’s stronger … he can crash the boards really well.

“It’s not about scoring for him,” Smith continued. “It’s about whatever we need in that moment.”

Ratliff finished second on the team in scoring with nine points, adding five rebounds.

Simeon guarantees its best season finish since 2016-17, when it was runner-up, losing to Whitney Young in 4A. It has won seven state titles overall, including four straight from 2010 to 2013.

“[Going to Champaign] is going to be a great opportunity for us,” Smith said. “We just want to be competitive and go down there and finish the job.

“I told the guys, ‘Enjoy this moment right now,'” he added. “I know some teams who were just satisfied with winning this game. And they didn’t do what they were supposed to do. We just want to stay locked in, and get prepared and get ready for the next game.”

For Lemont, junior guard Matas Castillo led the way with 16 points, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the stripe down the stretch. He’s among the 10 Lemont players who are juniors or younger.

“The thing I love about this team is they have the audacity to think they’re gonna win this game,” Lemont head coach Rick Runaas said. “These guys aren’t afraid of anybody. They want to play a tough schedule. They want to play good teams. They cherish the moment. I think we’ll learn from it, and I think these guys coming back will be hungry for more.”

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