Two little words probably best sum up the prevailing mood of Chicago area basketball coaches as girls’ Class AA and A regionals get set to tip off around the state Monday night:
Fear. Trembling.
Consider how a sampling of Chicago area powers tuned up for the big event this year:
– No. 3 Young was upset by Marshall 70-59 in overtime Feb. 2. Given that the Commandos have won 16 of the last 17 Public League titles and Young is still searching for its first, only one thing is certain: It’s been a fretful last 11 days for Dolphins coach Arthur Penny.
– Two days after saying his Warriors were playing their best basketball of the season, Derril Kipp’s No. 10 Maine West club was stunned by Marshall 50-45 last Wednesday.
– No. 18 New Trier, the top seed in the Glenbrook North sectional, was shocked by Mid-Suburban League South champion Schaumburg 56-44 Saturday in its regular-season finale.
– Before clipping Loyola in the third-place game Saturday, No. 5 St. Ignatius was dumped by Resurrection in the semifinals of the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference tournament as the Bandits avenged a 19-point loss.
“I don’t know what this game means,” said Ignatius coach Tom McKenna after Saturday’s win. “Last year McAuley came in fourth in this (GCAC tournament) and went Downstate. And the only year we got as far as the supersectionals, we lost in the first round (of the GCAC playoffs). Maybe it’s a good omen to finish (the regular season) with a loss.”
Maybe. But what ever happened to peaking for the state series?
The net result, of course, is that No. 1 Stevenson (25-2) is looking even more like the prohibitive favorite for the Class AA state title. Here’s a rundown on key sectionals:
Glenbrook North: New Trier is the top seed in the strongest sectional in the state, but Maine West probably has the best team and the most motivation. The Warriors will host the supersectional.
“I think we have a real good shot at winning the sectional,” says Kipp. “We’re moving the ball better and we’re scoring a lot more than before Christmas. But this sectional is loaded.” Dark horses at Glenbrook include Loyola, Maine South, Resurrection and Glenbrook South.
Thornridge sectional: St. Ignatius and Mother McAuley figure to meet in one semifinal, Bloom and Thornridge in the other, with the Ignatius-McAuley winner the likely sectional champ.
Public League playoffs: Young is still the favorite but onrushing Marshall (16-9), Washington (winner of 21 of 22 since an 0-4 start) and Morgan Park (20-4) have a shot in a wide-open field.
Willowbrook sectional: Top-seeded but unpredictable Lyons gets the nod but could have its hands full with Willowbrook or hot-and-cold Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Glenbard North sectional: Mid-Suburban League champion Barrington rates a slight edge over MSL rivals Buffalo Grove and Hersey in a wide-open field.
Naperville Central: Next to unbeaten Illiana Christian in Class A, Naperville North’s Huskies (27-1) are the Chicago area’s hottest team, having won 21 straight. West Suburban Gold runner-up Downers Grove South, though, can’t be counted out.
Larkin sectional: No. 4 Elgin, winner of 14 in a row, faces one possible stumbling block: Crystal Lake Central. The Maroons’ biggest worry remains an anticipated supersectional rematch with Freeport, the team that ended their season last year.
Stevenson sectional: Expect the top-ranked Patriots to face-and beat-Libertyville for a third time this season in the final.
Hillcrest sectional: No. 2 Hinsdale Central (23-1) is heavily favored, with Sandburg a dark horse.
Plainfield sectional: Joliet, Morris and Providence are the top teams, but No. 7 seed Lincoln-Way is coming on.
Class A: Illiana Christian (24-0) is expected to reach the Elite Eight.
