Suzanne O`Keefe got a chance to play in the girls` Class AA state tournament last season in Champaign only because Maine West`s all-state senior forward Diane DeSantis suffered salmonella poisoning hours before the quarterfinals were to begin.
It was a sad moment for DeSantis, but it may have been the best break the 5-foot-11-inch O`Keefe ever got.
”Just the experience of playing Downstate is worth a whole year of playing ball,” said the senior, who Monday helped the Warriors clear another hurdle on the road back to Champaign during Maine West`s 45-35 sectional semifinal victory over Buffalo Grove at Elk Grove. ”We want to get Downstate again real bad.”
The Warriors, ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press` poll, had the Bison buffaloed during the first quarter when they jumped out to a 14-4 lead. Sophomore point guard Nancy Kennelly had 6 of her team-high 12 points and three steals during the period.
”We shot well that first quarter, and it was really our defense that did it for us,” said Maine West coach Derril Kipp, who sends the 25-2 Warriors to Wednesday`s sectional final against Barrington (16-11), a 58-55 winner over Conant.
”The first half we were running scared,” said Buffalo Grove coach Tom Dineen. ”Unfortunately, we came out tight and that affected our shooting.”
Buffalo Grove, which trailed by 10 at halftime, slapped on an aggressive second-half defense and closed to within 28-24 with 2 minutes 50 seconds left in the third period. But Maine West`s Amy Omland and O`Keefe got inside for easy baskets, and the Bison (20-7) never threatened again.
At Oak Park–West Suburban Conference powers York (25-3 and ranked No. 10) and Oak Park (22-5) will meet for the title Wednesday. York defeated Fenton 48-33 behind Michele Cleeton`s 15 points. Oak Park downed Glenbard South 59-34 behind Laura Scafidi`s 13 points.
At Hinsdale South–Immaculate Heart of Mary (24-3), trailing 41-39 after three quarters, rallied behind Kris Maskala (15 points) and Michele Savage (15 points) to beat Hinsdale South (24-4) 56-55.
At Elgin–Denise Lawrence had 22 points for No. 9 Wheaton North (24-1), which pulled away in the second half for a 52-37 victory over St. Charles. Denise Hibbard`s 16 points led Sterling (20-8) to a 54-44 victory over Streamwood.
Class A sectionals
At Kaneland–St. Edward, the defending state champions, defeated Kaneland 78-66. Beth Hasenmiller led the Green Wave (27-1), ranked second in the state, with 28 points. Beth Cremean scored 22 points for Kaneland (24-3). Marengo
(17-8) stopped Genoa-Kingston (21-2) 68-65 behind Kris Polnow`s 16 points.
At Lisle–St. Gregory (27-0) and Illiana Christian (26-1) rolled into Wednesday`s title game. St. Gregory hammered Luther North 90-54 behind Debbie Stegmann`s 23 points. Illiana turned back Nazareth Academy 60-53 with Suzanne Wiltjer scoring 26 points.
At Casey–No. 1 Teutopolis (30-1) routed Robinson 84-58. Doris Carrie led the way with 17 points.
