Game 38
(12/22/09)
Lombard Montini (Class 3A #1) vs. Peoria Richwoods (Class 3A #3) (Girl's Basketball)
Sterling Shootout
There is a reason this game was saved for the final night....at least on paper. Two teams ranked in the top three of state, one of them the defending 3A champions (Richwoods), the other a sure-fire favorite to win it all this year (Montini), and a total of at least six future Division-1 players that would suit up for both teams.
Since I hadn't eaten anything since an eggs and toast breakfast at 8 a.m. I thought maybe I should grab some eats. Dove into a large slice of pizza from the concession stand. A messy slice, but for only $2, a pretty good deal. Stayed in the concessions area, and spoke with a member of the school staff at Sterling who was assigned to guard an area between the concession stand and the auditorium (where the Thomson Prison public hearing was being held). He said he had heard over 100 officers were on patrol throughout the high school campus.
While eating my pizza, the Montini sophomore team came walking through looking for the restrooms. At first, I thought it was the varsity players wondering why they weren't warming up. Then, I realized it was the sophomore team. It is my belief, Montini should be pretty good for the next few years, based on what they have in underclassmen at the varsity level, and the sheer size they have currently on the sophomore team. One of the members of the sophomore team is (6'4" Freshman) Malayna Johnson. Yes...that is the younger sister of UCONN-bound Michala Johnson.
I really love the atmosphere of Sterling's Homer Musgrove Fieldhouse. It is a very large gym, with old brick walls. The bleacher seating on each of the main sides only goes up about 12-13 rows, but seats plenty. On each baseline, there is also a short set of bleachers that has about 12 rows. Behind the east baseline bleachers, is where the concession area is. There are archways in the brick that give you access to the concessions. On each side of these archways, are steps that go upstairs to the weight room. The weight room overlooks the fieldhouse. Very historic gym.
Montini only mustered seven points in the first quarter, but most importantly held Richwoods to just one first quarter field goal, and that basket did not come until 0:20 left in the first quarter. The Knights only scored six points in the second quarter, all field goals by Mariah Smith. Montini led at the break, 21-8. Michala Johnson had 10 points in the first half, and Whitney Holloway added 7 points.
Again in the third quarter, Richwoods was held to single digits, as the Broncos outscored Montini (17-8). In this quarter, Katie Murphy accounted for nearly all of Richwoods scoring (6 of 8 points).
In fact, all of Richwoods scoring would be done by Katie Murphy and Mariah Smith throughout the game. They scored all but three of the Knights points. The first score by a non-Murphy or Smith came at the 1:35 mark in the fourth quarter, when Maggie Cunningham hit a three-pointer.
One of the strangest technical fouls was called in the fourth quarter, with about 2:30 left in the game. Montini had been whistled for nine fouls, when Kiki Wilson played a little tight defense on an in-bound up the court. This put Mariah Smith at the line for two free throws. After the second free throw was made, Montini coach Jason Nichols was telling Wilson that her foul was undisciplined. I could hear him talking directly to his player, and I was 12 rows up in the bleachers with headsets on. The official looked at coach Nichols, and gave him a Technical foul. In disbelief, he told the official he was talking to his player. The official then said, "I know", which made it even more bizarre. Jeers could be heard from the Montini fan section, in shock that their coach had been given a technical for, coaching, of all things!!!
Fortunately, for Montini they had a large lead, so the technical foul did not cost them anything, and the Broncos would go on to win, 50-33. Montini claimed 2nd place in the shootout (4-1), while Richwoods went (3-2).
Michala Johnson finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Broncos. Mallory Sosnovich added 13 points, and Whitney Holloway finished with 11 points. Mariah Smith scored 17 points, and Katie Murphy added 13 points for the Knights. Richwoods committed 16 turnovers, to Montini's 12.
The All-Tournament team was announced after this game. It is listed below.
Sterling Shootout All-Tournament Team
MVP: Marquisha Harris (Moline)
Emily Kauzlarich (Moline)
Michala Johnson (Montini)
Whitney Holloway (Montini)
Whitney Adams (Montini)
Mariah Smith (Richwoods)
Katie Murphy (Richwoods)
After the game, I decided to feast on some Culver's, home of the butter burger. Culver's is my biggest fast food weakness. At 7:00, and a long drive to Macomb, I also made the decision to head back to Annawan and crash at my parents house again, then waking up early and driving straight into work. This would also save me roughly 70 miles of driving. Took Route 40 south out of Sterling/Rock Falls. Snowy roads in that area, but cleared up the further south I drove. Ran into some freezing rain right at the Whiteside/Bureau County line. It only lasted about 10 miles, and the roads were smooth sailing the rest of the trip.
The Quest File Notes
Game 38
Date: 12/22/09
Result: Montini rolls over Richwoods 50-33
Miles: 140 (eventually, as I made the trek home on Wednesday)
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