Final Regular Season Rankings (Feb. 12) And CPL Title Game Notes
CHICAGO — Whitney Young controlled most of Saturday’s Chicago Public League City Title game, ultimately prevailing 58-45
The Dolphins went 19 of their from the free throw line, with Jones sinking 20 of 21 free throws. The senior Missouri commit couldn’t be kept out of the paint, either finishing at the rim or picking up the foul call on her way to a game-high 28 points. It was the second consecutive year that Jones took over at times against Kenwood in the city title game.
Whitney Young made 30 of 35 free throws.
“We do know that when we play Kenwood it’s going to a be a lot of aggressiveness. It’s going to be a battle of the boards. And we needed to knockdown our free throws,” Whitney Young coach Krissy Harper said.
Destiny Jackson had a hot start to the game, making a pair of runners late in the first quarter to help the Dolphins surge ahead early. She got the scoring started in the second, drilling a pull-up 3-pointer to put Whitney Young up 10, scoring 9 of WY’s first 18. The Dolphins led by double-digits the rest of the first half.
This, a year later after a sluggish shooting performance in last season’s city title game, which she still contributed to largely on the defensive end in that win.
“I feel way more confident this time than when I played in this environment the first time,” Jackson said. “I feel like that was the difference, just being in my comfort zone.”
Whitney Young led by as much as 17 in the second quarter, aided by a boost from Lily Montalvo and Hailey Hillman. Kiaya Johnson’s defense also led to a few buckets. Hillman and Jones had 7 rebonds apiece.
Ariella Henigan took control at times in the second half as she and Natasha Barnes willed the Broncos back within 5 points early in the fourth quarter.
Henigan ended up fouling out with Kenwood down 8 with a few minutes to go. She scored 11, Barnes scored 9, while Sanai Tyler and Jazelle Young contributed 8 apiece. Tyler’s 9 rebounds led all players.
Neither team were strong shooting on Saturday, going a combined 4 of 25 from beyond the 3-point arc, and both teams shot just over 30% from the floor. Whitney Young scored 26 fast break points to Kenwood’s 10. first
FINAL - Whitney Young 58, Kenwood 45
— Kaleb Carter (@Kaleb_M_Carter) February 11, 2023
The Dolphins are back-to-back city champs. pic.twitter.com/TVyQEmeyIz
1. Nazareth
Beat Stevenson. Grace Carstensen (2023) committed to DePaul and Olivia Austin has been playing better.
2. Fremd
Defeated Hersey in MSL title game, 28-2 entering postseason.
3. Alton
29-1. A potential fourth matchup with O’Fallon could be played on Feb. 21 in the sectional semis.
4. Geneva
Pulled out a close win over Sycamore. On a 9-game winning streak and finished second consecutive unbeaten DuKane slate.
5. Lincoln
Lone remaining unbeaten team left in state.
6. Whitney Young
Beat Kenwood by 13, got to the free throw line a ton in the city title game vs. the Broncos.
7. Kenwood
Now 26-5 after city title loss to Young.
8. Bolingbrook
Has a good path to a Super-Sectional. May have to beat a Homewood-Flossmoor team it has lost to.
9. Libertyville
On a 10-game win streak. Had a big comeback win over Carmel Monday.
10. Quincy Notre Dame
Rolling right along into the postseason. Heavy favorite to win Class 2A.Potential teams to knock them off? Fieldcrest, Peotone, PORTA, Butler College Prep, Dee-Mack, Breese Mater Dei, Teutopolis, Paris.
11. O’Fallon
If they get hot, they could make it to Redbird Arena.
12. Deerfield
On fire as of late. Convincingly defeated Maine South.
13. Benet Academy
Edged Montini, lost to Carmel on the 1st on a last-second play. Won 2 of 3 games with Carmel this season.
14. Peoria
Now 23-3. Will have to get by some good teams to get out of the Richwoods’ sectional
15. Loyola Academy
Heads into the postseason plenty battle-tested. In a span of a few days, beat Montini comfortably, then lost to a then-red-hot Mother McAuley.
16. Montini
23-7, lost to Loyola and Benet in the last week.
17. Lyons
Undefeated in the WSC (12-0) and has won 12 straight.
18. Maine South
Now’s the time to see how the sophomore-heavy Hawks respond to postseason basketball.
19. Saint Ignatius
24-6, trying to get things right after two GCAC tourney losses.
20. Peoria Notre Dame
In a tough sectional, but capable of making a run.
21. Normal
Will likely have to beat Joliet West, and then either O’Fallon or Alton to get through sectional. 28-3.
22. Carmel
Battle-tested and adapting to the loss injured forward Mia Gillis. Beat highly-ranked Benet, only to loss to a capable Evanston squad.
23. York
Helter skelter style could be fun in a postseason environment.
24. Hersey
At 23-8, has played many of the best teams in the state.
25. Barrington
Don’t look now, but they’re entering the postseason hot and Sophie Swanson is scoring in buckets.
Knocking On The door At The End
Lake Zurich
Okawville
Huntley
Prospect
Glenbrook South
St. Charles North
Lincoln-Way Central
Marian Catholic
Dunlap
Washington
Stevenson
Who else should be considered?