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 

Preseason 

Week 2

Week 4

Week 5

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

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? 

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