Game 60: Moline vs. Montini (Girl's Basketball)

Game 60
Moline vs. Montini (Girl's Basketball)
Sterling Shootout
12/22/10

This was the game I was most comfortable announcing, since I have very familiar with the Maroons, and the Lady Broncos are the defending Class 3A state champions, and I have followed the team closely.

However, Moline has an all-new look, with just a couple girls returning. Many of the names were unfamiliar. Joshua Welge of the Daily Herald took a seat next to me at the press table at the top of the bleachers. We talked Montini basketball, and also a little Western Big 6 girl's basketball. He asked me who the best team in the WB6 was, and I said it's tough to say, but quite possibly Galesburg (trying not to be bias!). He asked if Moline was 2nd best, and I said from what I have seen, they may be the 4th best, but it's hard to say that with a coach like Steve Ford on the bench. Regardless, it will be a fun year to follow Western Big 6 girl's basketball, with Moline, Galesburg, United Township, and Rock Island all battling for the league crown.



It was the Marquisha Harris Show against Montini. The Western Michigan-bound senior scored a game-high 29 points against the defending state champs, but the Maroons fell 52-45. The Maroons struggled against the Lady Bronco defense, turning the ball over 24 times. Notre Dame-bound Whitney Holloway scored 21 points for Montini. Kiki Wilson scored 16 points.

Montini is a mish-mash of future Division-I players. Along with Holloway (Notre Dame), the lineup boasts Whitney Adams (North Carolina), along with Kiki Wilson (Wisconsin-Milwaukee). Underclassmen Diamond Thompson (6'4" So.) and Malayna Johnson (6'4" So.) are also getting Division-I interest.

UCONN Connection
Malayna Johnson is the younger sister of UCONN freshman Michala Johnson. The elder Johnson is averaging nearly 5 minutes/game for the Huskies, winners of an NCAA-record 89 straight games. She is averaging 1.0 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Geno Auriemma.

Added Talent
Montini also posesses a first-year Lady Bronco, in transfer Kasey Reaber (5'10" Sr.). The point guard was a member of the 2008-09 Class 2A state champion Driscoll Lady Highlanders. Once that school closed, she spent the 2009-10 season at Immaculate Conception, before transferring to Montini for her senior year.

Moline/Montini All-Name Team
Nikia Edom (Nu-kee-uh Ee-dum) (5'6" So. Montini)
Diamond Thompson (6'4" So. Montini)
Kateri Stone (Kuh-teery) (5'11" Fr. Montini)
Kylie Romeo (5'8" Jr. Moline)
Jordan De Los Reyes (Day-lose-ray-ez) (5'7" So. Moline)