By Kaleb Carter
Each week, I’ll be highlighting the best team and individual performances from around the state that stood out in girls basketball. It could be a state record, an amazing highlight or anything in between.
Stats are critical to highlight these players and teams. Get in touch to submit a girls team or player at any point during the 2021-22 season. I can be reached at KalebCarter4256@gmail.com or on Twitter @Kaleb_M_Carter.
Mattie Gillen scored 28 in a 54-48 win over West Hancock, the individual highlight of the week for the Titans.
“She is our go-to for a three when needed. She has the added ability to also drive and get to the basket,” coach Scott Weber said of Gillen. “We got down early and then when she got open looks, drilled the threes for us.”
The Titans also defeated ROWVA-Williamsfield 66-38 behind 19 points from Camryn Huston and clipped Central/Southeastern 46-44 to move to 12-0 and 4-0 in the Three Rivers-West.
“We struggled to survive to be honest,” Weber said of the Central/Southeastern win. “Belle Thompson, my only senior, stepped up and made some key free throws. Camryn Huston stepped up with a big game for us on the inside.”
The program, west of Galesburg, will play some challenging upcoming games with three contests in the Erie Tournament over the holiday break.
“We have a great group of girls that really play well together,” Weber said. “We don’t have a superstar so the ability to play together as a team with great chemistry has been a key to our success.”
Off to a 10-1 start and 4-1 in the Upstate 8, the Bison won games over Elgin (75-26), Larkin (52-31) and Bartlett (47-44) last week. This after the Bison went 5-11 last season.
Sophomore Grace Hasken, a 6-0 forward, scored 24 points and tied former Eastern Illinois player Pam O’Connor’s 1999-2000 season school record with 23 rebounds in the Bartlett win.
Ended Thursday night with my 4th double double of the conference season and scored a personal high of 24pts and tied the school record of 23 rebounds in our team win against Bartlett 47-45!! @BisonGirlsBball @LadyLightningIL pic.twitter.com/9yHxahLCT1
— Gracen (@GracenHaska) December 18, 2021
Now 9-0, the Eagles played two games, including a 51-48 road win over an Alton team that has some strong victories this season. The Eagles defeated Parkway South of Missouri 68-45 as Kelbie Zupan scored a game-high 22 points.
Civic Memorial owns single-digit wins over Triad (46-40), Mascoutah (55-50) and Rochester (41-32).
The Redbirds knocked off two of the Mid-Illini’s better teams, Dunlap (51-32) and Morton (46-43), as well as Morris (70-12).
Kayla Pacha continued her steady play for the Redbirds, scoring 15 in Metamora’s first win over Morton since 2010. A consensus top-10 team in 3A, Metamora is now 11-1 and 4-0 as the favorite in the Mid-Illini.
Metamora upsets Morton 46-43! Eland Redgate - “We worked 4 years for this!” pic.twitter.com/QcP0e7oH64
— Jim Mattson (@hoijim) December 18, 2021
The Maple Leafs defeated Dixon 55-48 in a battle of undefeated Northwestern Illinois teams. They also defeated United, 72-45. Providence commit Kammie Ludwig scored 30 in the win over United.
Kloe Froebe led the 12-2 Railers to wins over Mt. Zion (53-16), Centennial (59-21) and Effingham (57-29). Froebe scored 33 in the win over Effingham, adding 28 with 10 rebounds versus Mt. Zion.
The Trojans improved to 9-0 after a win over Curie (54-38). The most points the Trojans have surrendered this year in a game is 37. They have given up fewer than 20 points four times.
Half the Bulls roster just gave the southwest side ballers from Kelly High School one heck of a surprise! They had no idea they’d be getting coached by @ZO2_ and @DeMar_DeRozan today but here they are 🤩 @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/w6iXkdw30x
— Jackie Kostek (@JackieKostek) November 30, 2021
Maya Osborn continues her excellent ways in the Lions’ 11-3 start, (3-1 in the Little Illini). Marshall won games over Richland County (46-35), South Vermillion (58-28) and Oblong/Hutsonville/Palestine (65-27).
Kai Engledow scored 24 in the win over Oblong. Adi Scott also contributed 20 points in a win over South Vermillion.
Congratulations to Maya Osborn @mayaoz2022 for scoring her 1000th point with a buzzer beater 3!!! pic.twitter.com/7JtKRduzqr
— Marshall Lady Lions (@LionsMarshall) December 18, 2021
CONGRATS @mayaoz2022💪🏼💪🏼 #1000thpoint So proud ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pys2OgsrD1
— Adi Scott (@adiscott_23) December 18, 2021
Kenwood defeated Lubbock Cooper (Texas) at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona after coming from 10 points down, winning 59-53.
Texas A&M signee Brianna McDaniel — back after recovering from a torn ACL — scored 21 with 4 assists. She also recorded 17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals in a 92-30 win over Morgan Park. Loyola signee Whitney Dunn scored 24 points in the win over Morgan Park.
Won close games over Glenbrook South (58-52) and AP top-ranked Hersey (50-47). Andie Will scored 11 of 21 points in the fourth quarter of the Hersey win.
Put up 33 points and 21 rebounds in one game, 25 points and 10 rebounds in another.
Udell took 2 charges & K Bailey started, locked-down of defense, and scored 8 pts (2/3 from 3)! Grace Vyborny had a game-high & career-high 33 points, including 18 in the 3rd Q surge as well as a career-high 21 REB. Davidson put up 15 pts & 12 REB for a double-double.
— HarlemGirlsBB (@HarlemGirlsBB) December 17, 2021
Scored 25 points in a win over Casey-Westfield.
Posted 17 points in victory over South Vermillion.
Put up 30 points and 6 rebounds in a win over Tri-County.
Paris averaged 74 points over the week’s three wins.
Scored 18 with 17 rebounds in a 48-37 win over Metro East Lutheran.
Had 24 points, 22 rebounds in a loss to Gibault.
Helped her team win the consolation championship of the Gibault Candy Cane Classic, earning all-tournament team honors in the process. Broke the school rebounding record with 595 during the loss to Chester.
Made the all-tournament team at Gibault, scored 33 points in 69-41 win over Gibault.
Congratulations to @KarsenJany for making the All Tournament team at Gibault!!!! pic.twitter.com/iNa16bjDGT
— Columbia Girls Basketball (@LadyEaglesCHS) December 18, 2021
29 points and 15 rebounds in a win over Richland County.
23 points, 15 rebounds in a 57-41 win over Bloom.
18 points in loss to Bishop McNamara.
26 points, 6 three-pointers made and 5 rebounds in win over Beecher.
Had 32 points, 7 steals, 4 blocks and 4 assists in a win over Walter Payton.
Scored 32 in a win over Farmington. Helped her team to win over Yorkville Christian.
Playing on a college floor, Eureka's @EllieCahill05 put together a college-worthy performance, scoring 32 in the @ehsgirlsbball win over Farmington. pic.twitter.com/dRSq9Kx6R4
— Kurt Pegler (@KurtPegler) December 17, 2021
Scored 26 points with 16 rebounds and 5 steals in a 70-20 win over Momence.
Posted 21 points with 12 rebounds in a 42-22 win over Streator.