In a classic matchup featuring a steady stream of game-changing plays, the last-second heroics of Whitney Young’s Chanise Jenkins proved too good to top Monday night.
The sophomore point guard’s 25-footer at the buzzer earned the defending Class 4A champion Dolphins a 78-76 double-overtime win over Marian Catholic at the St. Xavier supersectional and keeps alive a chance at a repeat.
They will match up against Geneva in one of Friday’s state semifinals at Redbird Arena in Normal.
“Words can’t describe how I feel,” Jenkins said while being mobbed at center court.
“It was basically hurry up the court and get a shot off. All I could do was hope and pray that it went in.”
Just seconds earlier, it looked like the Spartans (30-5) had earned their third trip Downstate in four years. Senior center Mallory Eggert’s put-back off a missed leaner in the lane by Kaila Turner (24 points) had given Marian a 76-75 edge with less than five seconds left.
Having to work the length of the court, Young (32-1) called a timeout. After an inbounds pass and a few dribbles, Jenkins (25 points) launched the biggest shot of her life.
GIRLS STATE PLAYOFFS
Redbird Arena, Normal
Class 3A
Semifinals: Marshall vs. Peoria Richwoods: noon, Friday
Springfield vs. Freeport: 1:45 p.m., Friday
Third-place game: 11 a.m., Saturday
Championship: 12:45 p.m., Saturday
Class 4A
Semifinals: Bolingbrook vs. Wheeling: 6:30 p.m., Friday
Whitney Young vs. Geneva: 8:15 p.m., Friday
Third-place game: 6:30 p.m., Saturday
Championship: 8:15 p.m., Saturday
POLL POSITION
Chicagotribune.com readers were asked:
Peoria Richwoods 18.8%
Springfield 4.7%
Which team will win 4A?
Wheeling 14.6%
Bolingbrook 34.6%
SPORTS WATCH
Games to watch
Friday
Bulls vs. Milwaukee: 7:30 p.m., CSN
Saturday
Blackhawks at Boston: noon, CSN
Sunday
MLS Season Preview: 7 p.m., FSC
People to watch
* Cubs manager Lou Piniella was fuming over a remark ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips made on the radio about Piniella’s handling of outfielder Kosuke Fukudome during his rookie season: “[Lou] is just not the most patient guy around, and he tends to verbalize his frustrations in an angry way. I think that may have affected Fukudome a little bit.” Piniella snapped back after hearing the comments: “I don’t have much respect for Steve Phillips. Let him be around a little more and see what transpires before he makes assumptions.”
* Jay Cutler, quarterback, and Jason Taylor, defensive end, were linked to the Bears as players they might be interested in getting, although a source to Taylor told the Tribune he wasn’t interested.
* Serena Williams beat her her older sister Venus to win the Billie Jean King Cup.
* After two recent crushing losses, Illinois coach Bruce Weber said his 23rd-ranked Illini have a lot to play for in Thursday’s regular season finale at Penn State — namely a good NCAA Tournament seed.
— CHICAGO TRIBUNE, AP
