NORMAL – A record-breaking, 35-point performance from Quincy Notre Dame junior Abbey Schreacke is what it took to clinch the Raiders a Class 2A title 63-56 over Winnebago Saturday at Redbird Arena. 

Schreacke’s second-chance three-pointer with just over a minute left in the third quarter sent a deafening roar through Redbird Arena. A QND defensive stop and some free throws following offensive rebounds helped the Raiders (29-3) head to the fourth on a 14-3 run. 

Schreake added three free throws after time had elapsed to close the third, as a Miyah Brown foul sent the Raiders’ junior wing to the charity stripe. That trio of freebies had Quincy Notre Dame up 48-39 going to the fourth. Schreacke went on to finish with a 2A title game record of 35 points. She also had 11 rebounds and was a perfect 14-of-14 on free throws. 

Raiders junior guard Blair Eftink added 13 points for QND. The Raiders also shot 29-of-34 from the free throw line. 

“We would not be able to come out how we do if we don’t come together,” Eftink said. “Even if we’re up, we come together and talk it out. If we’re down, we come together and we know that everything we do, it’s not just one person.”

The closest Winnebago pulled in the fourth was within five, 48-43, when senior forward Sarah Seger hit a shot from the right block. Seger scored 10 points, junior Campbell Schrank scored 10 points and and senior forward and Wisconsin-Whitewater hoops commit Renee Rittmeyer led Winnebago with 16 points.

“It was really exciting to have a good game in our last game, the state finals,” Seger said. “ It meant a lot.”

Schreake scored 19 of those 35 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 5-of-5 free throws in the first half, but Winnebago took a 29-28 lead into half after two Brown free throws. 

“I got off to a good start and that’s because of my teammates around me,” Schreacke said. “Eryn (Cornwell) always sets good screen for me. She always gets me open.”

Brown, a senior Bellarmine basketball signee, did everything she could muster to keep her squad in the game, while others like Seger gave Winnebago some huge minutes on the block in the second half. Brown struggled mightily with her shot, going 3-of-18 from the floor. 

“I love competition and she gave it to me,” Brown said of Schreacke. 

She added 11 rebounds and four assists.  

“It was really exciting to have a good game in our last game, the state finals,” Seger said. “It meant a lot.”

Winnebago had the rebounding advantage and took advantage with 21 second-chance points, but shot 4-of-16 on three-point attempts and just 14-of-24 from the free throw line. Winnebago finished 36-3. 

Eftink shared an insight about the love and dedication coach Eric Orne shows his Raiders. 

“This year I found out my mom had cancer and he was the first person to buy the wrist bands we all wear,” Eftink said. 

“These wrist bands were a good reminder for us to keep playing hard and it just shows how much we’re a family and we have to have each other’s backs,” Schreakce said.