Rich East sectional: No. 17 Thornwood (23-3) captured the regional championship by downing SICA East rival Thornridge 46-28. Michelle Weatherspoon, who finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, scored nine first-half points. Jackie Gray (13 points, four steals) and Tracy Hoffman (10 points) also contributed.
“I really think we outplayed them in every facet of the game,” said Thornwood coach Debbie Ubriaco, whose team used its size advantage with a 31-17 rebounding edge. “I think we proved a lot to ourselves tonight.”
Thornwood will face No. 20 Oak Forest (22-5), which used 16 points and eight rebounds from Nora Hogueisson to conquer Homewood-Flossmoor 38-33. H-F (16-11) led 23-14 with 7:13 left in the third quarter, but Oak Forest closed with 13 unanswered points.
Hillcrest (24-4) defeated Thornton Fractional South 51-42 as Shavonna Hunter scored 13 and Candis Blankson 12. Hillcrest faces Bloom next.
Keesha Humphrey poured in a career-high 43 points, including 17 in the third quarter, as Bloom (21-7) beat Rich South 73-62. Rich South (17-10), paced by Portery Scott’s 23 points, led 30-18 with two minutes left in the first half.
Oswego sectional: No. 16 Morris (26-0) eliminated Joliet Catholic 60-42 as Ryann Heap’s 18 points led a balanced attack in which 10 players scored. The Redskins advance to face Lincoln-Way.
Lincoln-Way jumped to a 12-0 lead and prevailed 75-42 over Kankakee. The Knights (15-12) were led by Nicole LaBuhn’s 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists while Erin Kelly contributed 13 points and eight rebounds. Jamie Gathing scored 15 for Kankakee (17-9).
Joliet (22-6) blitzed Providence 58-42 as Machell Roberts’ 15 points led three in double figures.
Joliet will face Waubonsie Valley. Ashley Luke’s layup with :07 left in regulation gave Waubonsie Valley (18-10) a 61-59 decision over Lockport. Jodi Gromos scored 14 for Lockport (18-10).
“Even though Ashley (Luke, 32 points) is just a freshman, she is a leader for us,” said Waubonsie Valley coach Julie Callan.
St. Ignatius sectional: Morton (22-4) claimed its first girls regional title in school history, beating Queen of Peace 58-41 as Andrea Filipek poured in 27 points.
Morton will face Mother McAuley (16-9), which held Richards to six second-half points in its 43-27 victory. Beth Dilling led the way with 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
Mary Pope scored 15 and Maureen McManaman added 14 as St. Ignatius (19-9) beat Reavis 57-32. St. Ignatius blew open a relatively tight game with a 22-6 run in the final quarter. Marie Strejc led Reavis (21-5) with 16.
“We are very excited to win a regional because people don’t realize how tough that is to do,” said St. Ignatius coach Tom McKenna.
St. Ignatius will face Sandburg (25-4), which eliminated Stagg 43-26 as Ann Mullins netted 12.
Illiana Christian regional: Illiana (20-6) captured the title with its 64-44 victory over Beecher. Suzanne DeJong’s 16 points led the way.
Chicago Christian regional: Seton (16-2) advanced to the Westmont sectional with a 44-30 victory over Chicago Christian. Rhonda Yochem did it all, scoring 31 points, hitting 15 of 16 free throws, including nine of 10 in the fourth quarter. Julie Erffmeyer led Chicago Christian (18-6) with 12.
