2009-10 IHSSN All-Tournament Team
We saw a wide array of talent throughout Class 1A and Class 2A this past weekend from freshman to senior. I decided to break it down by class, and name my All-Tournament teams from Redbird Arena in 2009-10.
All-Freshman Team
Micah Jones (Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City)
*How can you go wrong with a triple-double in a trophy game at the state tournament, regardless of class. Jones filled up the stat sheets with 13 points, 19 rebounds, 11 blocks, 4 assists, and 2 steals against Ridgewood.
Jordan Frericks (Quincy Notre Dame)
*The (6'0") Raider had a double-double in the state championship game, notching 15 points and 10 rebounds, while adding 2 assists and 2 steals in helping QND to a 2nd place finish in 2A.
Kassidy Gengenbacher (Quincy Notre Dame)
*One of two starters on the QND roster, the younger sister of All-State senior Karlee, Kassidy showed that we will remember the name Gengenbacher for at least three more seasons. In the semifinal win over Nashville, Kassidy had 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists, and 1 block.
Shaye Harre (Nashville)
*The (5'9") Center scored 2 points in a semifinal loss, and turned around and had 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal in a bigger role Saturday in helping the Hornettes win the 3rd place trophy.
Erica Brown (Nashville)
*The (5'10") Forward saw minutes sparingly throughout the tournament, but did log 10 total minutes. Brown finished the state tournament with 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal, and should have a bright future in the Nashville program.
All-Sophomore Team
Annie Gelaude (Ridgewood)
*While she struggled from the floor (0-9), Gelaude was a nice presence for the Spartans off the bench as one of the first subs in. In all, she had 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block for the Class 1A third-place Spartans.
Breeanna Strauch (Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City)
*She was a spark plug for the Hornets, who finished fourth. The quick (5'5") guard tallied 6 points, 2 steals, and 1 rebound.
Faith Wendte (Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City)
*Wendte scored 14 points in the 3rd place game, while adding 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. In the semifinal loss to Jacksonville Routt, Wendte logged 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist.
Kaitlin Phillips (Hinckley-Big Rock)
*Phillips would earn the Sophomore MVP of the tournament. A starter for the Class 1A state champions, Phillips had 5 points, 2 steals, 1 block, and 1 rebound in the state title win over Routt. In the semi's, she had 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist.
Bailey Doty (Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City)
*From a youthful lineup at CH-BC (only 4 juniors & seniors), Doty tallied below-average numbers at the state tournament from what she put out over the season. Over the weekend, Doty finished with 5 points, 4 steals, and 2 assists.
---NOTE---
For the upperclassmen, I will divide the all-tournament teams by class (1A/2A).
Class 1A All-Junior Team
Tess Godhardt (Hinckley-Big Rock)
*Godhardt would probably be my pick for 1A MVP, though it would be tough to decide between her and teammate Jenna Thorp. In the semifinal overtime win over Ridgewood, Godhardt scored the first six baskets of the overtime, lifting the Lady Royals to the 1A state championship game. Godhardt finished that semifinal contest with 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals. In the state championship, she totaled 9 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks.
Kelly Lonergan (Jacksonville Routt)
*Lonergan had two huge three-point baskets in the third quarter to spark a Routt run in the state championship game. She finished the state title game with 15 points, 4 steals, 2 rebounds. She had 7 points, 2 steals, 1 assist, 1 rebound in the semifinal win.
Ella Teel (Ridgewood)
*The sharpshooter had a nice tournament in helping the Spartans take home a 3rd place trophy back to Henry County. Teel struggled from the field in the tournament (5-24), which is rare form for her. Despite that number, she finished the tournament with an all-around stat line; 19 points, 7 assists, 6 steals, and 5 rebounds.
Erika White (Jacksonville Routt)
*I must admit, the first time I saw White step back and take a three-pointer, I was a bit surprised. Then she knocked it down, and did it again later. The (6'1") Forward showed some range at Redbird! In the opening game, White was (5-7) from the floor, finishing with 12 points and 2 rebounds.
Monica Gardner (Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City)
*Gardner struggled filling the stat sheets, but was the player in the Hornets starting lineup that did the intangibles that don't show up in the box score. She finished the weekend with 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 18 minutes of action.
Class 2A All-Junior Team
Jess Reinhart (Bloomington Central Catholic)
*The All-Stater dominated Bishop McNamara in the weekend opener, to the tune of 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. She followed that effort up in the state championship game with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals in helping lead the Saints to their first ever girl's basketball state title.
Allie Norton (Bloomington Central Catholic)
*I would annoint the All-Junior MVP a tie, between teammates. Norton and Reinhart would both be deserving of the Class 2A MVP. If I were to title a book about the Bloomington Central Catholic Saints junior duo of Reinhart and Norton, it would be called "The Perimeter and the Paint". What Reinhart did down low, Norton did just as much from outside. Norton finished the semifinal win over Bishop Mac with 15 points, 7 assists. In the state championship game, Norton knocked down five three-pointers and had a game-high 27 points, along with 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.
Jennifer Moeller (Nashville)
*The Hornettes Center is one of those blue-collar types. She gets down and does the Nashville dirty work down low. Moeller posted a double-double against Bishop Mac to take 3rd place. She finished the game with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and also doled out 3 assists.
Jenna Morris (Nashville)
*Morris was a player that was a floor general for the Hornettes, and a player that the team needed on the floor. Morris finished the tournament totaling 17 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal.
Erika Tatum (Bishop McNamara)
*Overall, I thought the Lady Irish underachieved throughout the weekend, but Tatum had a nice tournament run, never giving up the fight. Over the two days, Tatum scored 31 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists.
Class 1A All-Senior Team
Jenna Thorp (Hinckley-Big Rock)
*I would annoint Thorp and teammate Godhardt the co-1A MVP's of this year's tournament. Thorp is such a dominant presence, she plays the game so much differently than her peers...hence the next stop is at Division-One Northern Illinois. Thorp had 28 points, 22 rebounds, 6 steals, 5 assists, 3 blocks.
Michelle Williams (Ridgewood)
*Much like Thorp is to the Lady Royals, Michelle Williams is just that for the Ridgewood Spartans. She's the type of player a team needs on the floor throughout most of the game. Williams' numbers weren't great, but her presence is what counts. She finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals.
Amanda Kruger (Ridgewood)
*Kruger was Klutch for the Spartans. She finished the tournament on (7-9) shooting from the field, and was (9-11) from the free throw line. In all, she had 23 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks.
Morgan Eilering (Jacksonville Routt)
*The daugher of head coach Joe Eilering, Morgan excelled in the opening day to the tune of a double-double. In the Rockets win over CH-BC, Eilering had 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals. She had 6 rebounds in the state championship game.
Katie Lindsey (Jacksonville Routt)
*The post presence for the Rockets, Lindsey helped boost the Rockets into the title game. In the semi's, Lindsey posted 7 points and 6 rebounds, and added 8 points, 9 rebounds in the state championship game.
Class 2A All-Senior Team
Karlee Gengenbacher (Quincy Notre Dame)
*Gengenbacher was probably the best player on the floor the entire tournament. She posted a season-high 25 points in a state title loss to BCC and had this impressive stat line: 25 points, 7 steals, 4 rebounds, 3 assists. In the semifinal win, Gengenbacher had 14 points, 4 rebounds over Nashville.
Kelly Curran (Bloomington Central Catholic)
*Curran makes my list on her sheer defensive talent. I don't think I've ever seen a player tip as many passes as she did over the two games. She had 5 steals against Bishop McNamara, and in the state title victory, had 7 points, 5 rebounds.
Leigh McLaughlin (Quincy Notre Dame)
*Just by her gutsy performance in the state championship game, McLaughlin needs to be recognized. She tried to stay on the floor to play, despite obvious pain when rolling her ankle. She sat a few minutes in what appeared to be excruciating pain on the bench, then came out to start the 4th quarter and played all eight minutes. In the postgame medal ceremony, she walked with an obvious limp, while she had just been playing the most gutsiest performance of her career, quite possibly, playing the game 200 mph. McLaughlin had 11 points, 9 assists in that state championship game.
Carly Norton (Bloomington Central Catholic)
*The older sister to Allie Norton, Carly had a solid stat line for the state champion Saints, filling up every statistical category. She totaled 20 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 7 steals through the weekend. The Norton Sisters went a combined (7-13) from the three-point line in the win over Bishop Mac.
Claire Obert (Quincy Notre Dame)
*The point guard for the Raiders did a nice job leading the team, and controlling the offense. Obert notched 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal against Nashville, and added 2 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals in the state title game.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Game 109: Quincy Notre Dame vs. Bloomington Central Catholic (Girl's Basketball)
Game 109
(2/27/10)
Quincy Notre Dame vs. Bloomington Central Catholic (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A State Championship
Here it is, the final basketball game in Class 1A/2A girl's basketball for 2009-10, hard to believe. In my next blog, I will highlight each class of girls at the state tournament, giving you my all-tournament teams by class (freshman, sophomore, etc.) for 1A & 2A.
Talking with the Quincy Herald-Whig's David Adam before the game, he mentioned the success and talent the girls in the junior high level have coming up into the program over the next few years, and says they have a legitimate shot to return to Redbird Arena and be a favorite the next few seasons.
Both squads have a glut of postseason experience in their school histories. QND is looking to win their third state title in school history, making their 7th state finals appearance. The Raiders have won a total of five trophies, winning back-to-back state championships (1982-83 & 1983-84), a 2nd place finish (1980-81), a 3rd place finish (1981-82) and a 4th place finish (2007-08). In total, QND has won 22 Regional championships, and 11 Sectional titles.
Bloomington Central Catholic is making their fourth appearance in the state finals, and their highest finish came with a 4th place trophy in (1982-83). The Saints have won 20 Regional titles, and 8 Sectional championships. Over the past two years, BCC enters this game with a (60-2) record. They were upset in last year's Sectional championship to Tolono Unity.
The Raiders have both experience and youth in their lineup with first team All-Stater Karlee Gengenbacher bringing in (23.3 ppg), with her younger sister Kassidy (Freshman) also in the starting lineup with classmate Jordan Frericks (6'0" freshman) also a starter. The rest of the rotation are two seniors (Claire Obert & Leigh McLaughlin). As a matter of fact, word from Quincy is that there are a total of 13 Gengenbacher granddaughters, and Karlee is the OLDEST! Sounds like we may be ushering in the Gengenbacher Era in high school girl's basketball. Thanks to David Adam for that nugget of information.
After scoring all eight points for the Raiders the night before, Karlee Gengenbacher looked to do the same tonight, taking over the game and scoring the team's first six points. She would finish with eight points after the first quarter, but the Raiders gave up 25 points to Central Catholic. The Saints stifling defense forced QND into 10 first quarter turnovers.
Allie Norton, the junior that won the Class 2A three-point contest, picked up where she left off, burning the nets from the perimeter. Norton knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the first quarter. Jess Reinhart was dominating down low, getting six points in the paint for BCC.
Quincy Notre Dame started to make a little run in the second quarter, holding that potent Saints offense to just seven points, while scoring 12 points and cutting the deficit down to eight points at halftime.
In the third quarter, it was a battle, with Karlee Gengenbacher exploding for nine more points in the frame, and entered the fourth quarter with 23 points, one shy of her game-high this season. Midway through the third quarter, on a fast break off of a Saints turnover, Leigh McLaughlin raced down the floor, then attempted a jump stop. With the momentum, she landed poorly on an ankle and came up in immediate pain. She tried to stay on the floor, but couldn't put much pressure on it. The Quincy Notre Dame trainer pulled her out of the game, and as she sat on the QND bench, she was grimacing in severe pain. With the look on her face, I didn't think we would see McLaughlin back in the game, which would be a serious blow to the Raiders, especially as their defense was starting to punish BCC.
As the game wore on, neither team was handling the ball well. In fact, the Raiders finished with 25 turnovers, and the Saints coughed it up 23 times. Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, McLaughlin went down into the tunnel to the locker room, and appeared to try to walk off the injury. She would re-enter the game and start the fourth quarter, as QND was trailing 47-37.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Gengenbacher came crashing into press row, nearly taking out my laptop and the Statview screen in front of me. I was able to pull down the laptop, and then had to save the Statview screen from getting knocked over. A listener in our chat room commented that the play was really loud. That's because the crowd microphone was a mere four feet away from the "crash site" right on the table.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Karlee Gengenbacher picked up her fifth and final foul, wrapping up her high school career with a season-high 25 points in a state championship game. She also added 7 steals, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. With her on the bench, QND continued to mount a comeback, and closed the game as close as three points (57-54), but Ms. Clutch, Allie Norton delivered two free throws, and the Saints cruised on for a 63-58 win.
Norton would score a game-high 27 points, including hitting five three-pointers and going (4-4) from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Norton added 7 assists, 4 steals, and 4 rebounds. Jess Reinhart had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals for the state champion Bloomington Central Catholic Saints.
It's not too often you see a high school basketball broadcaster get asked for their autograph, but that's exactly what happened as the media on press row was packing up. Of course, it's also not too often that a high school basketball announcer is an Olympics Bronze Medal winning volleyball player. Caren Kemner is the color analyst for Quincy Notre Dame girl's basketball on AM 930 WTAD. Kemner won a bronze medal for Team USA in the 1992 Barcelona Games, and was also an Olympian in the 1988 Seoul Games and the 1996 Atlanta Games. She is also the volleyball coach at Quincy Notre Dame. Kemner signed a pair of shoes for two little girls at the end of the state championship game.
With the clock approaching 10:30 p.m. I decided to get a late dinner, via McDonalds. I promised myself this would be my last fast food for a long time, as I have punished my body with high fast and sodium over the past three days. On the menu was a couple double cheeseburgers and fries.
Driving back through Fulton County, it was past midnight and the deer were out! My first near run-in happened on a backroad between Farmington and Fairview (my short cut back to Macomb). There were at least 8 deer that I could see, and luckily I avoided them. I would also encounter deer in three other locations driving through the county along Route 9. Don't deer know that nothing good can happen when you're out after midnight!?!
The Quest File Notes
Game 112
Date: 2/27/10
Result: Bloomington Central Catholic wins their first-ever state championship with a 64-58 win over Quincy Notre Dame.
Miles: 105
(2/27/10)
Quincy Notre Dame vs. Bloomington Central Catholic (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A State Championship
Here it is, the final basketball game in Class 1A/2A girl's basketball for 2009-10, hard to believe. In my next blog, I will highlight each class of girls at the state tournament, giving you my all-tournament teams by class (freshman, sophomore, etc.) for 1A & 2A.
Talking with the Quincy Herald-Whig's David Adam before the game, he mentioned the success and talent the girls in the junior high level have coming up into the program over the next few years, and says they have a legitimate shot to return to Redbird Arena and be a favorite the next few seasons.
Both squads have a glut of postseason experience in their school histories. QND is looking to win their third state title in school history, making their 7th state finals appearance. The Raiders have won a total of five trophies, winning back-to-back state championships (1982-83 & 1983-84), a 2nd place finish (1980-81), a 3rd place finish (1981-82) and a 4th place finish (2007-08). In total, QND has won 22 Regional championships, and 11 Sectional titles.
Bloomington Central Catholic is making their fourth appearance in the state finals, and their highest finish came with a 4th place trophy in (1982-83). The Saints have won 20 Regional titles, and 8 Sectional championships. Over the past two years, BCC enters this game with a (60-2) record. They were upset in last year's Sectional championship to Tolono Unity.
The Raiders have both experience and youth in their lineup with first team All-Stater Karlee Gengenbacher bringing in (23.3 ppg), with her younger sister Kassidy (Freshman) also in the starting lineup with classmate Jordan Frericks (6'0" freshman) also a starter. The rest of the rotation are two seniors (Claire Obert & Leigh McLaughlin). As a matter of fact, word from Quincy is that there are a total of 13 Gengenbacher granddaughters, and Karlee is the OLDEST! Sounds like we may be ushering in the Gengenbacher Era in high school girl's basketball. Thanks to David Adam for that nugget of information.
After scoring all eight points for the Raiders the night before, Karlee Gengenbacher looked to do the same tonight, taking over the game and scoring the team's first six points. She would finish with eight points after the first quarter, but the Raiders gave up 25 points to Central Catholic. The Saints stifling defense forced QND into 10 first quarter turnovers.
Allie Norton, the junior that won the Class 2A three-point contest, picked up where she left off, burning the nets from the perimeter. Norton knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the first quarter. Jess Reinhart was dominating down low, getting six points in the paint for BCC.
Quincy Notre Dame started to make a little run in the second quarter, holding that potent Saints offense to just seven points, while scoring 12 points and cutting the deficit down to eight points at halftime.
In the third quarter, it was a battle, with Karlee Gengenbacher exploding for nine more points in the frame, and entered the fourth quarter with 23 points, one shy of her game-high this season. Midway through the third quarter, on a fast break off of a Saints turnover, Leigh McLaughlin raced down the floor, then attempted a jump stop. With the momentum, she landed poorly on an ankle and came up in immediate pain. She tried to stay on the floor, but couldn't put much pressure on it. The Quincy Notre Dame trainer pulled her out of the game, and as she sat on the QND bench, she was grimacing in severe pain. With the look on her face, I didn't think we would see McLaughlin back in the game, which would be a serious blow to the Raiders, especially as their defense was starting to punish BCC.
As the game wore on, neither team was handling the ball well. In fact, the Raiders finished with 25 turnovers, and the Saints coughed it up 23 times. Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, McLaughlin went down into the tunnel to the locker room, and appeared to try to walk off the injury. She would re-enter the game and start the fourth quarter, as QND was trailing 47-37.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Gengenbacher came crashing into press row, nearly taking out my laptop and the Statview screen in front of me. I was able to pull down the laptop, and then had to save the Statview screen from getting knocked over. A listener in our chat room commented that the play was really loud. That's because the crowd microphone was a mere four feet away from the "crash site" right on the table.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Karlee Gengenbacher picked up her fifth and final foul, wrapping up her high school career with a season-high 25 points in a state championship game. She also added 7 steals, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. With her on the bench, QND continued to mount a comeback, and closed the game as close as three points (57-54), but Ms. Clutch, Allie Norton delivered two free throws, and the Saints cruised on for a 63-58 win.
Norton would score a game-high 27 points, including hitting five three-pointers and going (4-4) from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Norton added 7 assists, 4 steals, and 4 rebounds. Jess Reinhart had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals for the state champion Bloomington Central Catholic Saints.
It's not too often you see a high school basketball broadcaster get asked for their autograph, but that's exactly what happened as the media on press row was packing up. Of course, it's also not too often that a high school basketball announcer is an Olympics Bronze Medal winning volleyball player. Caren Kemner is the color analyst for Quincy Notre Dame girl's basketball on AM 930 WTAD. Kemner won a bronze medal for Team USA in the 1992 Barcelona Games, and was also an Olympian in the 1988 Seoul Games and the 1996 Atlanta Games. She is also the volleyball coach at Quincy Notre Dame. Kemner signed a pair of shoes for two little girls at the end of the state championship game.
With the clock approaching 10:30 p.m. I decided to get a late dinner, via McDonalds. I promised myself this would be my last fast food for a long time, as I have punished my body with high fast and sodium over the past three days. On the menu was a couple double cheeseburgers and fries.
Driving back through Fulton County, it was past midnight and the deer were out! My first near run-in happened on a backroad between Farmington and Fairview (my short cut back to Macomb). There were at least 8 deer that I could see, and luckily I avoided them. I would also encounter deer in three other locations driving through the county along Route 9. Don't deer know that nothing good can happen when you're out after midnight!?!
The Quest File Notes
Game 112
Date: 2/27/10
Result: Bloomington Central Catholic wins their first-ever state championship with a 64-58 win over Quincy Notre Dame.
Miles: 105
Game 108: Nashville vs. Bishop McNamara (Girl's Basketball)
Game 108
(2/27/10)
Nashville vs. Bishop McNamara (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A Third Place
After munching down my Popeye's, I headed for a gas station to pick up a bottle of water for the nightcap. I stopped at a Marathon (I believe), and was in for a rude awakening when pulling out. The station was attached to a car wash, and the parking lot was very peculiar. Backing out, I did not notice a large concrete pole behind me and slammed into it. It gave me a bit of whiplash, and scared the bejesus out of me. I got out, and surveyed the damage...and there was none. None whatsoever. Obviously it didn't phase the concrete, nor was my Explorer damaged, I scanned it for a couple minutes and found no sign of anything.
When I arrived back at Redbird Arena, I took a look at my back bumper again, and saw a very little ding and concrete mark, but I had to look twice, and hard to find it. There were a few members of the media along press row, including David Adam from the Quincy Herald-Whig. Not too long after I arrived back at the gym, Keith Yex from WCAZ (Carthage) showed up, and chatted about his years covering Carthage/Illini West at the state finals, and how it felt weird for him coming over as an observer and not working.
Jim Taylor also stopped in to talk, and was looking on some perspective on the Camp Pt. Central boy's team, which he will be broadcasting next week at the Class 1A B-PC Sectional when they play Orion.
Jeff Findley from Bloomington stopped by to talk. He is in charge of public relations for the State Farm Classic in town, and talked about the field from last year, and a little bit of insight on the selection process for the tournament.
Fithian Oakwood girl's basketball coach Rick Bough dropped by to say hello. Bough has been blessed with All-Stater Amy Martin for four years. The senior was named the Champaign News-Gazette Player of the Year, and twice scored 40+ points in a game this season. In a game where she scored 47 points, she electrified the opposing defense for 20 points in one QUARTER! I don't think I scored 20 points my entire high school CAREER!
After watching Bishop McNamara against Bloomington Central Catholic, I was confused on how to take the Lady Irish. I didn't know if BCC was that good (which they were), or if I had just overrated Bishop Mac throughout the season. Just like the night before, the Irish just sort of lacked any intensity, any passion on the floor.
The Hornettes took advantage from the get-go, taking a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. Jennifer Moeller had three field goals in the first quarter. Bishop Mac made a resurgence in the second quarter, by outscoring Nashville 12-8 and it was a three-point game at halftime, with Nashville on top (22-19).
Bishop McNamara held one lead the entire game, a two-point edge with 6:22 to play in the first quarter. Nashville led by as many as 11 points with 5:41 to play before halftime, before a nice Irish run to cut it down to three.
The offense was stagnant for the Irish in the third quarter, not scoring a basket until 2:50 to play in the quarter, and the Belinda Schaffsma bucket was the only points scored by Bishop Mac in the frame, while the Hornettes scored nine points to lead (31-21) going into the final frame.
Erika Tatum unleashed some offense in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points, but it was not enough to come back, and Nashville would claim the 3rd place trophy with a 44-35 win. Nashville was led by; Jenna Morris (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists), Jennifer Moeller (11 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists), and Melanie Rhine (10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists). Bishop McNamara was led by Erika Tatum's (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals).
The Quest File Notes
Game 108
Date: 2/27/10
Result: Nashville leads Bishop McNamara from beginning to end, pulling off a 44-35 win for the 3rd place trophy in Class 2A.
Miles: 0
(2/27/10)
Nashville vs. Bishop McNamara (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A Third Place
After munching down my Popeye's, I headed for a gas station to pick up a bottle of water for the nightcap. I stopped at a Marathon (I believe), and was in for a rude awakening when pulling out. The station was attached to a car wash, and the parking lot was very peculiar. Backing out, I did not notice a large concrete pole behind me and slammed into it. It gave me a bit of whiplash, and scared the bejesus out of me. I got out, and surveyed the damage...and there was none. None whatsoever. Obviously it didn't phase the concrete, nor was my Explorer damaged, I scanned it for a couple minutes and found no sign of anything.
When I arrived back at Redbird Arena, I took a look at my back bumper again, and saw a very little ding and concrete mark, but I had to look twice, and hard to find it. There were a few members of the media along press row, including David Adam from the Quincy Herald-Whig. Not too long after I arrived back at the gym, Keith Yex from WCAZ (Carthage) showed up, and chatted about his years covering Carthage/Illini West at the state finals, and how it felt weird for him coming over as an observer and not working.
Jim Taylor also stopped in to talk, and was looking on some perspective on the Camp Pt. Central boy's team, which he will be broadcasting next week at the Class 1A B-PC Sectional when they play Orion.
Jeff Findley from Bloomington stopped by to talk. He is in charge of public relations for the State Farm Classic in town, and talked about the field from last year, and a little bit of insight on the selection process for the tournament.
Fithian Oakwood girl's basketball coach Rick Bough dropped by to say hello. Bough has been blessed with All-Stater Amy Martin for four years. The senior was named the Champaign News-Gazette Player of the Year, and twice scored 40+ points in a game this season. In a game where she scored 47 points, she electrified the opposing defense for 20 points in one QUARTER! I don't think I scored 20 points my entire high school CAREER!
After watching Bishop McNamara against Bloomington Central Catholic, I was confused on how to take the Lady Irish. I didn't know if BCC was that good (which they were), or if I had just overrated Bishop Mac throughout the season. Just like the night before, the Irish just sort of lacked any intensity, any passion on the floor.
The Hornettes took advantage from the get-go, taking a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. Jennifer Moeller had three field goals in the first quarter. Bishop Mac made a resurgence in the second quarter, by outscoring Nashville 12-8 and it was a three-point game at halftime, with Nashville on top (22-19).
Bishop McNamara held one lead the entire game, a two-point edge with 6:22 to play in the first quarter. Nashville led by as many as 11 points with 5:41 to play before halftime, before a nice Irish run to cut it down to three.
The offense was stagnant for the Irish in the third quarter, not scoring a basket until 2:50 to play in the quarter, and the Belinda Schaffsma bucket was the only points scored by Bishop Mac in the frame, while the Hornettes scored nine points to lead (31-21) going into the final frame.
Erika Tatum unleashed some offense in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points, but it was not enough to come back, and Nashville would claim the 3rd place trophy with a 44-35 win. Nashville was led by; Jenna Morris (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists), Jennifer Moeller (11 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists), and Melanie Rhine (10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists). Bishop McNamara was led by Erika Tatum's (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals).
The Quest File Notes
Game 108
Date: 2/27/10
Result: Nashville leads Bishop McNamara from beginning to end, pulling off a 44-35 win for the 3rd place trophy in Class 2A.
Miles: 0
Game 107: Hinckley-Big Rock vs. Jacksonville Routt (Girl's Basketball)
Game 107
(2/27/10)
Hinckley-Big Rock vs. Jacksonville Routt (Girl's Basketball)
Class 1A State Championship
Before today's game, IHSA Media Relations Director Matt Troha stopped to talk. He asked me why the quest for 100 games? It's a pretty lame story, as I reached into the 80 games broadcast last season, I thought doing 100 would be neat. I broadcasted 87 games a year ago. That was spread out over some Monmouth College games, along with a junior high state championship game. This season, it has been strictly high school varsity boy's and girl's basketball games. I would like to give Matt a shout, as he has done a fantastic job working with the media in the IHSA office, now in his second year. Matt sends out weekly releases and keeps the media informed of everything around the state, and organizing state finals information. Illinois high school sports media is very lucky to have someone that has the passion and drive for his job that he does!
I like to make predictions on games, until deep in the postseason. That's when you never know what you're going to get. If I were to make this pick three weeks ago, first of all I would say no way Routt would be playing for a state championship. Boy, did I underestimate this experienced group of girls throughout the season.
The Lady Royals of Hinckley-Big Rock are the defending Class 1A state champions, with everyone back from that title winning squad. Neither team has the advantage with experience. Routt is making their third state finals appearance in the last four year. Depth could be a concern if foul trouble were to plague H-BR. The Royals have just eight girls on the entire roster.
Hinckley-Big Rock may have, or does have the most solid 1-2 punch on their roster. Senior Jenna Thorp (Northern Illinois University) and junior Tess Godhardt are a formiddable foe. The rest of the roster for the Royals is very solid. Routt is a bit different, there is no standout one player, just a bunch of good players, even off the bench.
Routt got off to a 7-4 lead after the first quarter, as the teams just grinded it out. Neither team was able to get the shots to fall throughout the game. Routt managed to shoot just (22%) from the floor all game, while H-BR was (38%).
The Royals outscored the Rockets in the second quarter (8-5), and we had a tie (12-12) at halftime. It is no surprise that the Royals defense would allow just 12 first half points (season average: 29 points allowed/game). Hinckley-Big Rock had been averaging 60 points/game throughout the year.
One of my fellow broadcasting compatriots was just down the row from me, Larry Bostwick of WVIL in Jacksonville. Larry does a great job covering high school sports in the Jacksonville/Beardstown/Rushville areas. Check him out at www.lbsportsproductions.com.
Kelly Lonergan gave the Rockets a spark in the third quarter with back-to-back three pointers, but H-BR All-Stater Jenna Thorp dominated the paint scoring four field goals, giving the Lady Royals a 25-22 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Royals did nearly all of their scoring in the paint, scoring 22 of their 38 points there. Neither team had much of an advantage throughout the game. The Royals biggest lead was six points, which was their margin of victory (38-32). Routt led by as many as four points, very early in the second quarter.
IHSA-TV man Lee Hall stopped by during a break in the fourth quarter, for a pre-interview talk. He would be talking with me at the next break. I will admit, I was a little bit nervous, but tried not to let it show. In watching the replay, I can't quite explain the look, maybe giddy...I don't know....certainly dorky! Lee opened the interview up with, "Lou Gehrig is the Iron Horse, Robert Downey Jr. was Iron Man, and Beau Spencer is the IHSA's answer to the Iron Man." He also asked me about my run-ins with the "men in blue". After seven or eight years of covering high school sports, I had never been pulled over. This season, four stops for speeding over the course of the season. Three times as the "wheel man", the other time as a passenger.
Hinckley-Big Rock went (8-13) from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to seal the victory, and their second consecutive state championship. Jenna Thorp finished her high school career with a state title game stat line of; 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Tess Godhardt had 9 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks. The Rockets were led by Kelly Lonergan's 15 points, 4 steals, while Katie Lindsey added 8 points, 9 rebounds.
After the game, the celebration roared with the Lady Royals accepting their state championship medals, trophy and net from Redbird Arena. Something I have never seen before, was the scoreboard being lowered. I don't know why the overhead scoreboard was lowered, but the Hinckley-Big Rock Principal and Assistant coach used it as a photo op, standing next to it denoting the final score. One problem, though, the scoreboard had already put the Class 2A participants above the "38-32" final score. No problem, as each of them covered those schools with their arms.
I also had the pleasure of meeting one of the Lady Royals fans, Ryan Finley. We have talked throughout the season about girl's basketball, and sharing our knowledge from each part of the state throughout the postseason.
Afterwards, I headed out to get a bite to eat, before returning for the final two games of girl's basketball at the small-school level.
I punched in "food" in my Garmin to find something a little different. An A&W popped up, and it has been years since enjoying some good A&W, plus a Root Beer Float sounded delicious. Garmin directed me to the mall. Either A&W was inside the mall, or Garmin was sadly mistaken. Opting for just a quick drive-thru eat, I headed out to Popeye's. This was my first Popeyes Chicken experience, and it was amazing. I went with the three chicken tender meal with mashed potatoes and biscuit. This may have been better than an A&W Root Beer Float!
The Quest File Notes
Game 107
Date: 2/27/10
Result: Hinckley-Big Rock wins 2nd straight Class 1A State Championship, defeating Jacksonville Routt 38-32.
Miles: 10
(2/27/10)
Hinckley-Big Rock vs. Jacksonville Routt (Girl's Basketball)
Class 1A State Championship
Before today's game, IHSA Media Relations Director Matt Troha stopped to talk. He asked me why the quest for 100 games? It's a pretty lame story, as I reached into the 80 games broadcast last season, I thought doing 100 would be neat. I broadcasted 87 games a year ago. That was spread out over some Monmouth College games, along with a junior high state championship game. This season, it has been strictly high school varsity boy's and girl's basketball games. I would like to give Matt a shout, as he has done a fantastic job working with the media in the IHSA office, now in his second year. Matt sends out weekly releases and keeps the media informed of everything around the state, and organizing state finals information. Illinois high school sports media is very lucky to have someone that has the passion and drive for his job that he does!
I like to make predictions on games, until deep in the postseason. That's when you never know what you're going to get. If I were to make this pick three weeks ago, first of all I would say no way Routt would be playing for a state championship. Boy, did I underestimate this experienced group of girls throughout the season.
The Lady Royals of Hinckley-Big Rock are the defending Class 1A state champions, with everyone back from that title winning squad. Neither team has the advantage with experience. Routt is making their third state finals appearance in the last four year. Depth could be a concern if foul trouble were to plague H-BR. The Royals have just eight girls on the entire roster.
Hinckley-Big Rock may have, or does have the most solid 1-2 punch on their roster. Senior Jenna Thorp (Northern Illinois University) and junior Tess Godhardt are a formiddable foe. The rest of the roster for the Royals is very solid. Routt is a bit different, there is no standout one player, just a bunch of good players, even off the bench.
Routt got off to a 7-4 lead after the first quarter, as the teams just grinded it out. Neither team was able to get the shots to fall throughout the game. Routt managed to shoot just (22%) from the floor all game, while H-BR was (38%).
The Royals outscored the Rockets in the second quarter (8-5), and we had a tie (12-12) at halftime. It is no surprise that the Royals defense would allow just 12 first half points (season average: 29 points allowed/game). Hinckley-Big Rock had been averaging 60 points/game throughout the year.
One of my fellow broadcasting compatriots was just down the row from me, Larry Bostwick of WVIL in Jacksonville. Larry does a great job covering high school sports in the Jacksonville/Beardstown/Rushville areas. Check him out at www.lbsportsproductions.com.
Kelly Lonergan gave the Rockets a spark in the third quarter with back-to-back three pointers, but H-BR All-Stater Jenna Thorp dominated the paint scoring four field goals, giving the Lady Royals a 25-22 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Royals did nearly all of their scoring in the paint, scoring 22 of their 38 points there. Neither team had much of an advantage throughout the game. The Royals biggest lead was six points, which was their margin of victory (38-32). Routt led by as many as four points, very early in the second quarter.
IHSA-TV man Lee Hall stopped by during a break in the fourth quarter, for a pre-interview talk. He would be talking with me at the next break. I will admit, I was a little bit nervous, but tried not to let it show. In watching the replay, I can't quite explain the look, maybe giddy...I don't know....certainly dorky! Lee opened the interview up with, "Lou Gehrig is the Iron Horse, Robert Downey Jr. was Iron Man, and Beau Spencer is the IHSA's answer to the Iron Man." He also asked me about my run-ins with the "men in blue". After seven or eight years of covering high school sports, I had never been pulled over. This season, four stops for speeding over the course of the season. Three times as the "wheel man", the other time as a passenger.
Hinckley-Big Rock went (8-13) from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to seal the victory, and their second consecutive state championship. Jenna Thorp finished her high school career with a state title game stat line of; 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Tess Godhardt had 9 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks. The Rockets were led by Kelly Lonergan's 15 points, 4 steals, while Katie Lindsey added 8 points, 9 rebounds.
After the game, the celebration roared with the Lady Royals accepting their state championship medals, trophy and net from Redbird Arena. Something I have never seen before, was the scoreboard being lowered. I don't know why the overhead scoreboard was lowered, but the Hinckley-Big Rock Principal and Assistant coach used it as a photo op, standing next to it denoting the final score. One problem, though, the scoreboard had already put the Class 2A participants above the "38-32" final score. No problem, as each of them covered those schools with their arms.
I also had the pleasure of meeting one of the Lady Royals fans, Ryan Finley. We have talked throughout the season about girl's basketball, and sharing our knowledge from each part of the state throughout the postseason.
Afterwards, I headed out to get a bite to eat, before returning for the final two games of girl's basketball at the small-school level.
I punched in "food" in my Garmin to find something a little different. An A&W popped up, and it has been years since enjoying some good A&W, plus a Root Beer Float sounded delicious. Garmin directed me to the mall. Either A&W was inside the mall, or Garmin was sadly mistaken. Opting for just a quick drive-thru eat, I headed out to Popeye's. This was my first Popeyes Chicken experience, and it was amazing. I went with the three chicken tender meal with mashed potatoes and biscuit. This may have been better than an A&W Root Beer Float!
The Quest File Notes
Game 107
Date: 2/27/10
Result: Hinckley-Big Rock wins 2nd straight Class 1A State Championship, defeating Jacksonville Routt 38-32.
Miles: 10
Game 106: Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City vs. Ridgewood (Girl's Basketball)
Game 106
(2/27/10)
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City vs. Ridgewood (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 1A Third Place
Since I stayed up late on Friday, not hitting the sack until after 1:00 a.m. I had planned on sleeping in until 8:00 or 8:30. That would not happen, as I had too much to get done, and too much on my mind. My body's alarm clock beat the set alarm clock and woke me up at 7:00. I layed in bed thinking of all of the stuff I had to do, and needed to go out and find an ATM, get something for breakfast, and the most important of all....get coffee.
People have suggested to me to make lists. When I have a list, and accomplish things in an organized manner, it makes life much easier. Again, I need a personal assistant to make sure I do these things day in and day out, lol. The first task at hand, was making sure my scorebooks were filled out, so I wrote in the Class 1A games in the book. After that, I headed out to find an ATM and a McDonalds (sigh...more fast food).
Fortunately my bank (Heartland) is based in Bloomington, so there were plenty of ATM's to avoid those darn surcharges. Garmin took me downtown and to an ATM. One thing I have not conquered on the Garmin, is figuring out how to find a destination, on the way to a destination, as in finding a McDonalds on the way, or nearest, to the hotel.
As with my Winnteka trip and trying to find a Giordano's, the same happened with my McDonalds morning escapade, taking me out to College Avenue in Bloomington, in essence, taking me on a large out-of-the-way trip. The McDonald's dollar breakfast menu may be the best thing ever invented in the fast food history, ranking above the original McDonald's dollar menu in my book! I ordered a breakfast burrito, and a Sausage McMuffin, along with my large coffee. Driving back to the hotel, I passed a McDonalds (which was much closer and could have saved me at least five minutes!).
My next task was to collect everything and put it together in the room, in preparation for checkout. For some reason, I had stuff spilled out everywhere. After a shower, I packed everything up and took it down to the car and checked out around 10:15. My next stop was to find a gas station and pick up a bottle of water. I hit the Express Mart, which is half gas station, half liqour store near campus. For some reason, I am picky when purchasing bottled water. I don't like Evian or the Nestle, and it's all about the bottle. My first choice is Dasani, or Aquafina. For some reason, it just "tastes" better...if that makes sense, and I'm sure it doesn't!
Once again, I was one of the first media members at Redbird Arena, arriving around 10:30. Shortly after setting up, I peered down press row and WRMJ owner John Hoscheidt had settled in. With Jim Taylor broadcasting games on Internet for the IHSA, John was handling the play-by-play duties for WRMJ in covering the Ridgewood Spartans.
I worked for John when I broke into radio, giving a fresh-faced 19-year old a full-time gig as Sports Director at the former WHHK (Galva) and WGEN (Geneseo) while I was still in college. He also helped me get the radio gig in Macomb. We talked about the boy's basketball regional championships played out the night before, and he mentioned the teams they used to cover before consolidation hit the west central part of the state. WRMJ would follow Aledo, Westmer, Rockridge, Sherrard, Yorkwood, Warren, and Alexis. Now, those seven schools have been whittled down to four (Mercer County, Rockridge, Sherrard, United).
While we were talking Jim O'Boye walked over and we talked about my interview with Lee Hall that would take place at some point in the day for the IHSA TV broadcast. As the three of us talked, he looked at John and said, "You're Hoscheidt, you look a lot younger." I joked, "That's probably the first time you've heard that in a while!"
John's partner in crime Jim Taylor arrived shortly thereafter, and was filling me in on the Alleman-Sherrard Regional Championship game. There is no love lost between the Tigers and Pioneers that dates back to the 1990's. Apparently, there were some shenanigans on the floor at times during the game. The Alleman Pioneers won by 19 points, and at (6-20) advance to the Sectionals.
I felt CH-BC (How I will denote the Hornets from now on, over spelling out Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City) had the advantage in this 3rd place game. The Hornets were beat by 20 points the day before, while Ridgewood took Hinckley-Big Rock to overtime, and lost an emotional game. Spartans coach Bryan Brooks said in the postgame press conference, "That was the state championship game in my mind..." You see this happen a lot in games where teams leave everything on the floor in that semifinal game, and just have no gas left for a 3rd place game.
Early on, that's the way the game played out. CH-BC and freshman phenom Micah Jones were dominating Ridgewood. The Hornets jumped out to a 15-8 first quarter lead. Faith Wendte scored 7 points for CH-BC in that opening frame.
The Spartans slightly closed the gap in the second quarter, outscoring the Hornets 10-9, and a big basket by Amanda Kruger with 0:02 left in the second quarter made it a six-point game (24-18) at halftime. Ridgwood's momentum carried over to start the third quarter, as they had carried over an 8-point run after trailing by 11 points late in the second quarter. Ridgewood was down (24-13), and had closed the gap to (24-21) early in the 3rd quarter.
CH-BC rallied back and led by 8 points midway through the third quarter, but another Spartans run closed the gap to 35-32 after three quarters. Micah Jones entered the fourth quarter with four fouls. In their loss to Jacksonville Routt on Friday, the Hornets completely fell apart without her on the floor (foul trouble). Jones picked up her fifth foul with 5:32 left in the game, and CH-BC led by three points at that stage.
Jones, a FRESHMAN, would stun girl's basketball fans watching as she would notch a TRIPLE-DOUBLE in this game. Micah Jones finished with this amazing stat line: 13 points, 19 rebounds, 11 blocks, 4 assists, 2 steals. Remember the name: MICAH JONES!
Just like Friday, the Hornets looked lost with Jones no longer available. The Ridgewood run had begun, and would close out the game outscoring the Hornets, 22-9. The Spartans would go (10-15) from the free throw line down the stretch.
Obviously Jones stat line was most impressive. Faith Wendte (14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists), and Hillary Shelton (4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) also helped the Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City cause. Shelton fouled out shortly after Jones in the fourth quarter.
Ridgewood, victorious by a 54-44 margin, were led by Amanda Kruger (16 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), and Danyelle English (12 points, 9 rebounds).
Next up, our first state champion to be crowned in high school basketball for the 2009-10 season.
The Quest File Notes
Game 106
Date: 2/27/10
Result: Despite (Fr.) Micah Jones Triple-Double, Ridgewood claims 3rd place in Class 1A with a 54-44 victory.
Miles: 10
(2/27/10)
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City vs. Ridgewood (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 1A Third Place
Since I stayed up late on Friday, not hitting the sack until after 1:00 a.m. I had planned on sleeping in until 8:00 or 8:30. That would not happen, as I had too much to get done, and too much on my mind. My body's alarm clock beat the set alarm clock and woke me up at 7:00. I layed in bed thinking of all of the stuff I had to do, and needed to go out and find an ATM, get something for breakfast, and the most important of all....get coffee.
People have suggested to me to make lists. When I have a list, and accomplish things in an organized manner, it makes life much easier. Again, I need a personal assistant to make sure I do these things day in and day out, lol. The first task at hand, was making sure my scorebooks were filled out, so I wrote in the Class 1A games in the book. After that, I headed out to find an ATM and a McDonalds (sigh...more fast food).
Fortunately my bank (Heartland) is based in Bloomington, so there were plenty of ATM's to avoid those darn surcharges. Garmin took me downtown and to an ATM. One thing I have not conquered on the Garmin, is figuring out how to find a destination, on the way to a destination, as in finding a McDonalds on the way, or nearest, to the hotel.
As with my Winnteka trip and trying to find a Giordano's, the same happened with my McDonalds morning escapade, taking me out to College Avenue in Bloomington, in essence, taking me on a large out-of-the-way trip. The McDonald's dollar breakfast menu may be the best thing ever invented in the fast food history, ranking above the original McDonald's dollar menu in my book! I ordered a breakfast burrito, and a Sausage McMuffin, along with my large coffee. Driving back to the hotel, I passed a McDonalds (which was much closer and could have saved me at least five minutes!).
My next task was to collect everything and put it together in the room, in preparation for checkout. For some reason, I had stuff spilled out everywhere. After a shower, I packed everything up and took it down to the car and checked out around 10:15. My next stop was to find a gas station and pick up a bottle of water. I hit the Express Mart, which is half gas station, half liqour store near campus. For some reason, I am picky when purchasing bottled water. I don't like Evian or the Nestle, and it's all about the bottle. My first choice is Dasani, or Aquafina. For some reason, it just "tastes" better...if that makes sense, and I'm sure it doesn't!
Once again, I was one of the first media members at Redbird Arena, arriving around 10:30. Shortly after setting up, I peered down press row and WRMJ owner John Hoscheidt had settled in. With Jim Taylor broadcasting games on Internet for the IHSA, John was handling the play-by-play duties for WRMJ in covering the Ridgewood Spartans.
I worked for John when I broke into radio, giving a fresh-faced 19-year old a full-time gig as Sports Director at the former WHHK (Galva) and WGEN (Geneseo) while I was still in college. He also helped me get the radio gig in Macomb. We talked about the boy's basketball regional championships played out the night before, and he mentioned the teams they used to cover before consolidation hit the west central part of the state. WRMJ would follow Aledo, Westmer, Rockridge, Sherrard, Yorkwood, Warren, and Alexis. Now, those seven schools have been whittled down to four (Mercer County, Rockridge, Sherrard, United).
While we were talking Jim O'Boye walked over and we talked about my interview with Lee Hall that would take place at some point in the day for the IHSA TV broadcast. As the three of us talked, he looked at John and said, "You're Hoscheidt, you look a lot younger." I joked, "That's probably the first time you've heard that in a while!"
John's partner in crime Jim Taylor arrived shortly thereafter, and was filling me in on the Alleman-Sherrard Regional Championship game. There is no love lost between the Tigers and Pioneers that dates back to the 1990's. Apparently, there were some shenanigans on the floor at times during the game. The Alleman Pioneers won by 19 points, and at (6-20) advance to the Sectionals.
I felt CH-BC (How I will denote the Hornets from now on, over spelling out Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City) had the advantage in this 3rd place game. The Hornets were beat by 20 points the day before, while Ridgewood took Hinckley-Big Rock to overtime, and lost an emotional game. Spartans coach Bryan Brooks said in the postgame press conference, "That was the state championship game in my mind..." You see this happen a lot in games where teams leave everything on the floor in that semifinal game, and just have no gas left for a 3rd place game.
Early on, that's the way the game played out. CH-BC and freshman phenom Micah Jones were dominating Ridgewood. The Hornets jumped out to a 15-8 first quarter lead. Faith Wendte scored 7 points for CH-BC in that opening frame.
The Spartans slightly closed the gap in the second quarter, outscoring the Hornets 10-9, and a big basket by Amanda Kruger with 0:02 left in the second quarter made it a six-point game (24-18) at halftime. Ridgwood's momentum carried over to start the third quarter, as they had carried over an 8-point run after trailing by 11 points late in the second quarter. Ridgewood was down (24-13), and had closed the gap to (24-21) early in the 3rd quarter.
CH-BC rallied back and led by 8 points midway through the third quarter, but another Spartans run closed the gap to 35-32 after three quarters. Micah Jones entered the fourth quarter with four fouls. In their loss to Jacksonville Routt on Friday, the Hornets completely fell apart without her on the floor (foul trouble). Jones picked up her fifth foul with 5:32 left in the game, and CH-BC led by three points at that stage.
Jones, a FRESHMAN, would stun girl's basketball fans watching as she would notch a TRIPLE-DOUBLE in this game. Micah Jones finished with this amazing stat line: 13 points, 19 rebounds, 11 blocks, 4 assists, 2 steals. Remember the name: MICAH JONES!
Just like Friday, the Hornets looked lost with Jones no longer available. The Ridgewood run had begun, and would close out the game outscoring the Hornets, 22-9. The Spartans would go (10-15) from the free throw line down the stretch.
Obviously Jones stat line was most impressive. Faith Wendte (14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists), and Hillary Shelton (4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) also helped the Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City cause. Shelton fouled out shortly after Jones in the fourth quarter.
Ridgewood, victorious by a 54-44 margin, were led by Amanda Kruger (16 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), and Danyelle English (12 points, 9 rebounds).
Next up, our first state champion to be crowned in high school basketball for the 2009-10 season.
The Quest File Notes
Game 106
Date: 2/27/10
Result: Despite (Fr.) Micah Jones Triple-Double, Ridgewood claims 3rd place in Class 1A with a 54-44 victory.
Miles: 10
Game 105: Quincy Notre Dame vs. Nashville (Girl's Basketball)
Game 105
(2/26/10)
Quincy Notre Dame vs. Nashville (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A Semifinal
When asked who I thought would win this matchup, I had a hard time picking. After mulling it over, I threw out a QND win by two points. What impressed me the most about Nashville was their 10-point win over Edwardsville (ranked #3 in Class 4A at the time) in January. This was also an Edwardsville team that I had just watched the night before move on to a Class 4A Supersectional. However, I have seen Quincy Notre Dame a couple times this year, and they have a very well-rounded club with a player that can change a game, in Karlee Gengenbacher.
As expected, these two teams battled from the onset. The game changer for QND struck, as Gengenbacher scored all eight first quarter points for the Raiders. She struggled at the free throw line, shooting just (1-4), while also knocking down a three-pointer. Nashville's Jennifer Moeller scored four points and we were all tied up after the first quarter, 8-8.
Both teams brought a very large crowd to Redbird Arena. Scanning the stands, it looked about even. Both school's had their boy's basketball teams playing for Regional Championships on this night. Nashville fell to Breese Central in their regional title game, 24-20. Quincy Notre Dame beat Illini West by ten points to advance to the sectionals.
The teams battled back-and-forth through the second quarter, each scoring nine points. Gengenbacher was held scoreless in the frame, but her younger sister (freshman) Kassidy Gengenbacher nailed a three-pointer. Kassidy is one of two freshman starters at Quincy Notre Dame, along with (6'0") Jordan Frericks. Claire Obert also knocked down a three for the Raiders. Scoring for Nashville was spread out, with Melanie Rhine, Annie Borowiak, Kourtney Heggemeier, and Jennifer Moeller all hitting field goals.
The Hornettes roster was filled with some tongue twisters. At the end of this blog, I will give you my Class 1A and Class 2A All-Name starting five. For Nashville, I give you Paige Schwartzkopf, Annie Borowiak (Buh-row-ee-ak), Keisha Setzkorn (Sets-corn), Kourtney Heggemeier (Heg-uh-myer), and Shay Harre (Harr-ee).
Jordan Frericks came alive offensively in the third quarter, sparking the Raiders to a 10-6 run in the quarter. Frericks scored 9 of those 10 points, going (3-4) from the charity stripe. The teams traded baskets, but QND came out in the end by six points (39-33).
Leading the way for Nashville was Melanie Rhine with (11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals). Kourtney Heggemeier added (5 points, 9 rebounds). Quincy Notre Dame was led by Karlee Gengenbacher (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals). Jordan Frericks added (9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals). Fellow freshman Kassidy Gengenbacher added (7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals).
After the game, I packed up all of the equipment, and headed out of Redbird Arena. I opted against eating ANOTHER fast food dinner, and did have a late lunch at about 4:00, so I enjoyed a package of chocolate donuts I had planned one eating for breakfast that morning. I headed back to the hotel and started writing blogs and getting day two notes prepared. Without further ado, the IHSSN All-Name Teams.
Class 1A All-Name Team
Tess Godhardt (God-Hart) (Hinckley-Big Rock)
Brittany Zenge (Zang) (Jacksonville Routt)
Marina Nuckles (Muh-reen-uh, Nuck-els) (Ridgewood)
Annie Gelaude (Guh-lawd-ee) (Ridgewood)
Bailey Doty (Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City)
Class 2A All-Name Team
Karlee Gengenbacher (Gen-gen-bock-er) (Quincy Notre Dame)
Keisha Setzkorn (Sets-corn) (Nashville)
Shaye Harre (Harr-ee) (Nashville)
Belinda Schaafsma (Scoffs-muh) (Bishop McNamara)
Emily Olszewski (Oh-sheff-skee) (Bishop McNamara)
The Quest File Notes
Game 105
Date: 2/26/10
Result: Quincy Notre Dame outlasts Nashville, 39-33 advancing to state title game
Miles: 0
(2/26/10)
Quincy Notre Dame vs. Nashville (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A Semifinal
When asked who I thought would win this matchup, I had a hard time picking. After mulling it over, I threw out a QND win by two points. What impressed me the most about Nashville was their 10-point win over Edwardsville (ranked #3 in Class 4A at the time) in January. This was also an Edwardsville team that I had just watched the night before move on to a Class 4A Supersectional. However, I have seen Quincy Notre Dame a couple times this year, and they have a very well-rounded club with a player that can change a game, in Karlee Gengenbacher.
As expected, these two teams battled from the onset. The game changer for QND struck, as Gengenbacher scored all eight first quarter points for the Raiders. She struggled at the free throw line, shooting just (1-4), while also knocking down a three-pointer. Nashville's Jennifer Moeller scored four points and we were all tied up after the first quarter, 8-8.
Both teams brought a very large crowd to Redbird Arena. Scanning the stands, it looked about even. Both school's had their boy's basketball teams playing for Regional Championships on this night. Nashville fell to Breese Central in their regional title game, 24-20. Quincy Notre Dame beat Illini West by ten points to advance to the sectionals.
The teams battled back-and-forth through the second quarter, each scoring nine points. Gengenbacher was held scoreless in the frame, but her younger sister (freshman) Kassidy Gengenbacher nailed a three-pointer. Kassidy is one of two freshman starters at Quincy Notre Dame, along with (6'0") Jordan Frericks. Claire Obert also knocked down a three for the Raiders. Scoring for Nashville was spread out, with Melanie Rhine, Annie Borowiak, Kourtney Heggemeier, and Jennifer Moeller all hitting field goals.
The Hornettes roster was filled with some tongue twisters. At the end of this blog, I will give you my Class 1A and Class 2A All-Name starting five. For Nashville, I give you Paige Schwartzkopf, Annie Borowiak (Buh-row-ee-ak), Keisha Setzkorn (Sets-corn), Kourtney Heggemeier (Heg-uh-myer), and Shay Harre (Harr-ee).
Jordan Frericks came alive offensively in the third quarter, sparking the Raiders to a 10-6 run in the quarter. Frericks scored 9 of those 10 points, going (3-4) from the charity stripe. The teams traded baskets, but QND came out in the end by six points (39-33).
Leading the way for Nashville was Melanie Rhine with (11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals). Kourtney Heggemeier added (5 points, 9 rebounds). Quincy Notre Dame was led by Karlee Gengenbacher (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals). Jordan Frericks added (9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals). Fellow freshman Kassidy Gengenbacher added (7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals).
After the game, I packed up all of the equipment, and headed out of Redbird Arena. I opted against eating ANOTHER fast food dinner, and did have a late lunch at about 4:00, so I enjoyed a package of chocolate donuts I had planned one eating for breakfast that morning. I headed back to the hotel and started writing blogs and getting day two notes prepared. Without further ado, the IHSSN All-Name Teams.
Class 1A All-Name Team
Tess Godhardt (God-Hart) (Hinckley-Big Rock)
Brittany Zenge (Zang) (Jacksonville Routt)
Marina Nuckles (Muh-reen-uh, Nuck-els) (Ridgewood)
Annie Gelaude (Guh-lawd-ee) (Ridgewood)
Bailey Doty (Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City)
Class 2A All-Name Team
Karlee Gengenbacher (Gen-gen-bock-er) (Quincy Notre Dame)
Keisha Setzkorn (Sets-corn) (Nashville)
Shaye Harre (Harr-ee) (Nashville)
Belinda Schaafsma (Scoffs-muh) (Bishop McNamara)
Emily Olszewski (Oh-sheff-skee) (Bishop McNamara)
The Quest File Notes
Game 105
Date: 2/26/10
Result: Quincy Notre Dame outlasts Nashville, 39-33 advancing to state title game
Miles: 0
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Game 104: Bloomington Central Catholic vs. Bishop McNamara (Girl's Basketball)
Game 104
(2/26/10)
Bloomington Central Catholic vs. Bishop McNamara (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A Semifinal
Walking back into Redbird Arena, I saw Galesburg Register-Mail sports writer Zach Creglow along press row at the opposite end. We talked a little bit, and discussed the big Galesburg/Moline boy's basketball game later that night.
With my new scorebook in tow, I had to sit down and fill out the book for the next two games, as well as gather my 2A notes, and compile stats for each team. Fortunately, there was plenty of time to do just that, and study the rosters, and in some cases, pronunciations. I'll give you my All-Name team in the next blog.
Fans began to fill in shortly after, and I heard my name being shouted out. It was Annawan Superintendent Joe Buresh. His daughter, Kelly, is a first-team All-Stater from both the Associated Press and IBCA. She will be teaming up with Quincy Notre Dame senior Karlee Gengenbacher at Quincy University next season. We talked about the Ridgewood/H-BR game. Annawan fell to Ridgewood in double overtime in a Sectional championship.
Bloomington Central Catholic is looking for a little redemption after going 31-0 last season, before getting upset in a Sectional championship (Tolono Unity). In the past two years, the Saints have gone 59-2.
The Saints and Bishop McNamara met on December 30th, and BCC won that game by two points (46-44). Bishop Mac plays a majority of their schedule against Class 3A/4A competition, and have faced some stiff competition with some of the best Chicago schools, such as Fenwick and Hillcrest.
Buresh asked my take on these next two games. I had predicted the night before, when asked in the broadcast chat room who would win, QND or Nashville, and I picked QND by two points. In this game, I told Joe that it was a toss-up and I'd take Bloomington Central Catholic by a few points. Boy, was I wrong.
The Saints came out, and just dominated from the onset. Playing in front of a very large fan section who had to only travel across town, the Saints jumped out to a 17-6 first quarter lead. It was the Jess Reinhart show, scoring 10 points in those eight minutes.
Bishop Mac tightened up and held their own in the second quarter, but had already dug that deep hole. They were outscored 13-11 in the second, and trailed BCC 30-17 at halftime.
Pronunciations come easy for me, until I start looking at the exact spelling. I had no trouble pronouncing Bishop McNamara's Emily Olszewski (Oh-sheff-skee), until I started looking at the actual spelling! Then I tripped once or twice. Another Fightin' Irish name that was tough was Nicole Coglianese (Cog-luh-neece), and Belinda Schaafsma (Scoffs-muh) was kind of tricky too.
It was more of the same through the second half, with Bloomington Central Catholic increasing their lead throughout the third and fourth quarters. The Saints would roll to a 67-40 win. Bishop McNamara was led by Erika Tatum's 15 points, the only double digit scorer. Bloomington Central Catholic was paced by Jess Reinhart's 21 points, along with Carly Norton and Allie Norton each toss up 15 points.
Both Norton sisters participated in the 3-point shootout preliminaries on Thursday night. Allie Norton advanced to the final four, which came between the Class 2A games tonight. After knocking down four three-pointers, and playing a large majority of the game, Allie picked right up where she left off in the finals.
Norton was one of three girls who tied with seven three's in the opening round, going into a shootout. She then went on to win the shootout, and the Class 2A 3-point showdown. Norton will shoot again next weekend during the Class 3A/4A finals in the Queen of the Hill competition.
The Quest File Notes
Game 104
Date: 2/26/10
Result: Bloomington Central Catholic cruises past Bishop McNamara 67-40
Miles: 0
(2/26/10)
Bloomington Central Catholic vs. Bishop McNamara (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A Semifinal
Walking back into Redbird Arena, I saw Galesburg Register-Mail sports writer Zach Creglow along press row at the opposite end. We talked a little bit, and discussed the big Galesburg/Moline boy's basketball game later that night.
With my new scorebook in tow, I had to sit down and fill out the book for the next two games, as well as gather my 2A notes, and compile stats for each team. Fortunately, there was plenty of time to do just that, and study the rosters, and in some cases, pronunciations. I'll give you my All-Name team in the next blog.
Fans began to fill in shortly after, and I heard my name being shouted out. It was Annawan Superintendent Joe Buresh. His daughter, Kelly, is a first-team All-Stater from both the Associated Press and IBCA. She will be teaming up with Quincy Notre Dame senior Karlee Gengenbacher at Quincy University next season. We talked about the Ridgewood/H-BR game. Annawan fell to Ridgewood in double overtime in a Sectional championship.
Bloomington Central Catholic is looking for a little redemption after going 31-0 last season, before getting upset in a Sectional championship (Tolono Unity). In the past two years, the Saints have gone 59-2.
The Saints and Bishop McNamara met on December 30th, and BCC won that game by two points (46-44). Bishop Mac plays a majority of their schedule against Class 3A/4A competition, and have faced some stiff competition with some of the best Chicago schools, such as Fenwick and Hillcrest.
Buresh asked my take on these next two games. I had predicted the night before, when asked in the broadcast chat room who would win, QND or Nashville, and I picked QND by two points. In this game, I told Joe that it was a toss-up and I'd take Bloomington Central Catholic by a few points. Boy, was I wrong.
The Saints came out, and just dominated from the onset. Playing in front of a very large fan section who had to only travel across town, the Saints jumped out to a 17-6 first quarter lead. It was the Jess Reinhart show, scoring 10 points in those eight minutes.
Bishop Mac tightened up and held their own in the second quarter, but had already dug that deep hole. They were outscored 13-11 in the second, and trailed BCC 30-17 at halftime.
Pronunciations come easy for me, until I start looking at the exact spelling. I had no trouble pronouncing Bishop McNamara's Emily Olszewski (Oh-sheff-skee), until I started looking at the actual spelling! Then I tripped once or twice. Another Fightin' Irish name that was tough was Nicole Coglianese (Cog-luh-neece), and Belinda Schaafsma (Scoffs-muh) was kind of tricky too.
It was more of the same through the second half, with Bloomington Central Catholic increasing their lead throughout the third and fourth quarters. The Saints would roll to a 67-40 win. Bishop McNamara was led by Erika Tatum's 15 points, the only double digit scorer. Bloomington Central Catholic was paced by Jess Reinhart's 21 points, along with Carly Norton and Allie Norton each toss up 15 points.
Both Norton sisters participated in the 3-point shootout preliminaries on Thursday night. Allie Norton advanced to the final four, which came between the Class 2A games tonight. After knocking down four three-pointers, and playing a large majority of the game, Allie picked right up where she left off in the finals.
Norton was one of three girls who tied with seven three's in the opening round, going into a shootout. She then went on to win the shootout, and the Class 2A 3-point showdown. Norton will shoot again next weekend during the Class 3A/4A finals in the Queen of the Hill competition.
The Quest File Notes
Game 104
Date: 2/26/10
Result: Bloomington Central Catholic cruises past Bishop McNamara 67-40
Miles: 0
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