Sweet revenge; Nashville crushes Peoria Notre Dame to win girls' 2A basketball title

NORMAL - Last March, in a heartbreaking buzzer-beater, Emy Wardle of Peoria Notre Dame scored a layup with one second left to clinch the Class 2A title, 48-46.

The sting of defeat lingered throughout the season until Saturday night at CEFCU Arena, where The Hornettes exacted revenge in a state title rematch against Peoria Notre Dame. This time, Nashville left no doubt about the superior team, handing the Irish a decisive 55-29 loss.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Nashville's Avery Reeder, is all smiles while carrying the team's newest piece of state hardware. Saturday's trophy is the second one for Hornette program, who won their first state title in 2013.

---

Only two other teams held PND to fewer than 30 points all season: Alton, who secured a 41-27 victory in the state Class 4A third-place game on Friday, and Missouri's Incarnate Word Academy, who limited the Irish to their lowest output of the season at 26 points, scoring 69 themselves.

After a competitive first quarter, PND struggled over the next three, managing just 18 points total. Nashville surged with an impressive 18-point fourth quarter, sealing the championship and heading home with the hardware south of Interstate 70.

The victory was especially poignant for Nashville's lone senior, Avery Reeder.

"It means so much to me. It's everything I've ever wanted," Reeder said. "Honestly, I always wanted to end my last game with a win. On Thursday, I said I wanted to dominate them, and that's exactly what we did."

Emma Behrmann led Nashville's offense with 14 points, supported by the Brinkman twins, Summer and Samantha, who contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively. Summer also shone defensively with seven rebounds and five steals, while Samantha grabbed six boards and three steals.

Julia Mingus led Notre Dame with 11 points, while Lexi Baer and Cora Heinz added six points each.

---

---

State Basketball |Peoria Notre Dame 32 minutes away from a repeat state title, Mt. Carmel sets sights on finishing 3rd

NORMAL - Peoria Notre Dame continued its dominance on the biggest stage, rolling past Mt. Carmel 61-35 in the Class 2A state semifinal at the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals on Thursday at CEFCU Arena on the campus of Illinois State University.

The Irish, defending Class 2A champions, extended their winning streak to 15 games and remain undefeated in back-to-back state finals appearances. They advance to face the winner of the other semifinal between Phillips and Nashville in Saturday's championship game.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Peoria Notre Dame's Lexi Baer drives to the paint backdoor during the second half. The junior led all scorers with 18 points to help the Irish advance to Saturday's Class 2A title game.

---

Lexi Baer led the charge with 18 points and nine rebounds, powering Notre Dame's offense in key moments. Emy Wardle added 15 points, connecting on three of her four attempts from beyond the arc, while Julia Mingus chipped in 10 points to round out the team's top scorers.

Up by just three points at halftime, the Irish found another gear in the third quarter. Baer scored six points in the frame, while Alli Stickelmaier and Cora Heinz each contributed four points to help Notre Dame stretch its lead to 15. That surge put the game out of reach and sent the Irish back to the title game with a chance to repeat as state champions.

For Mt. Carmel, Maycee Randall delivered a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Madison Stevens added eight points and seven boards. The Aces were making their first-ever appearance in the Final Four after a convincing 61-42 victory over Kankakee McNamara at the Unity Supersectional.

Despite keeping pace through the first half, Mt. Carmel struggled to contain Notre Dame's offensive pressure after the break. The Irish's ability to spread the scoring across multiple players and tenacious defense left little room for a comeback.

The Aces are back on Doug Collins Court Friday evening, hoping to take home the division's third place trophy at 6:30 PM on Friday.

---

---

State Basketball |Carrollton Lady Hawks secure spot in Class 1A title game with convincing semifinal victory at state

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Carrollton basketball players on the bench errupt with fans at the sound of the final buzzer in their state semifinal game against Cissna Park at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Lady Hawks advanced to the Class 1A title game after a resounding victory Thursday morning.

---

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Lauren Flowers goes up for shot over Cissna Park's Mady Marcott. Flowers led all scorers with 28 points and eight rebounds.

---

NORMAL, IL - In a display of dominance at the CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University campus, the Carrollton Lady Hawks soared to a commanding 55-39 victory over the Cissna Park Lady Timberwolves in their Class 1A state semifinals at the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals on Thursday morning.

Led by a scorching performance from Lauren Flowers, who tallied 28 points and showcased her shooting accuracy with 10-of-12 from the free-throw line, Carrollton wasted no time asserting their authority. Flowers ignited the offense with a pivotal three-pointer following two early free throws, setting the tone for the Lady Hawks' victory.

By halftime, Carrollton had firmly established their lead, thanks to strategic play under the guidance of head coach Brian Madson. "I told them in the locker room at halftime to keep their composure and move the ball around," Madson emphasized. He was proud of the way the team played in the first half saying, "Confidence is contagious, and so is the lack of it."

The Lady Hawks' confidence continued to soar after the game mid-game break.

The second half saw Carrollton extend their lead to 23 points by the third quarter, effectively securing their fifth appearance in the state title game in school history. Blake Driskill contributed 11 points, while Harper Darr added 10 and Abby Flowers chipped in with six points, underscoring a cohesive team effort that highlighted their depth and resilience.

---

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Carrollton's Harper Darr battles for a loose ball with Cissna Park's Lauryn Hamrick.

---

Defensively, Lauren Flowers asserted her presence in the paint with eight rebounds, complemented by Chloe McAdams' six rebounds, stifling Cissna Park's scoring opportunities throughout the game.

Despite a valiant effort from Cissna Park, led by Addison Lucht and Lauryn Hamrick with 12 points each, and Josie Neukomm contributing nine points, the Lady Timberwolves fell short of advancing to the title game in their first state appearance in 25 years. Hamrick and Neukomm both secured eight rebounds apiece.

Looking ahead, Carrollton will face the winner of St. Edward High School and Pecatonica in the Class 1A title game on Saturday at 1pm. Meanwhile, Cissna Park will compete for third place against the loser of the upcoming matchup.

"I'm super excited to be playing on Saturday," said Madson during the postgame press conference."This team just sticks together, fights for each other. It is going to fun this coming Saturday."

---

---

Loyola's Hiller claims second straight state wrestling title

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Ramblers' Harlee Hiller (left) pushes Hampshire's Amelia Nidelea-Polanin head to the mat on her way to winning her second state champion title. In her four-year prep career, Hiller never placed below third at the IHSA state tournament.

---

BLOOMINGTON – Loyola Academy senior Harlee Hiller capped her high school wrestling career with another championship performance at the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Hiller won all four of her matches in the 115-pound division at Grossinger Motors Arena, earning her second consecutive state title.

Hiller allowed just three points across the tournament while controlling each match. In the finale, she defeated Mt. Zion’s Sydney Cannon by a 12-0 major decision. After a scoreless first period, Hiller broke the match open in the second with a takedown and nearfall to go ahead 7-0. The Rambler added an escape and another takedown early in the third period, then tacked on one final point in the closing seconds.

---

---

The title run marked a return to the top for Hiller, who finished as the 115-pound runner-up last season after a 4-3 loss to Gabby Gomez of Glenbard North. As a sophomore, she captured the 105-pound championship, and she placed third in the inaugural IHSA girls wrestling state series during her freshman year in 2022.

Hiller opened her final state tournament with a first-period pin against Metea Valley’s Ashley Basmajian in 1:21. She advanced through the quarterfinals after LaSalle-Peru’s Kiely Domyancich was disqualified in the second period. In the semifinals, Hiller shut out Hampshire’s Amelia Nidelea-Polanin with an 11-0 major decision.

With two titles and four state medals in as many years, Hiller leaves Loyola Academy as one of the program’s most accomplished wrestlers.

---

   

More photos from Hiller's 115 pound match against Hampshire’s Amelia Nidelea-Polanin.

---

---

Colombia Eagles wins small school cheerleading title

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Members of the Columbia High School cheerleading team perform during Friday's preliminary competition at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. The Eagles went on to win this year's state title on Saturday battling against the nine top teams in the state in the Small School Division. Earning the division top score of 93.82, Columbia finished ahead of Breese Mater Dei (90.84) in second place, and St. Francis (90.60) in third.

This year's Eagle cheerleading team includes Lucy Moore, Daylen Stevens, Mia McConachie, Morgan, Kelley, Sophia Walters, Lylah Bridges, Maddie Mudd, Ava Stanley, Maya Dill, Addie Ramage and Ellie Davis. The is coached by Robbie Walters, who is assisted by Marla Rose.

---

---

Oakwood cheer team advances at state, Comets to compete for a state title on Saturday

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Oakwood's Rylan Wilson and the Oakwood cheerleading team perform during the preliminary round at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals on Friday. The Comets advance to the championship round on Saturday for a shot at the small school state title. Earlier that morning Wilson was honored as an All-Stater in the sport.

---

BLOOMINGTON - Oakwood brought their A-game earlier today to qualify for the championship round at the Illinois High School Association's Competitive Cheer State Finals. They were one of two squads from their sectional that advanced to Saturday's title round at Grossinger Motors Arena.

Finishing in fifth place, the Comets earned an 89.44 from judges after their performance. Carterville slipped into the trophy round at #10, collecting an 88.06 to advance.

The Comets punched their ticket to state last week via a third-place finish at the Mascoutah Sectional behind DuQuoin, who finished first, and Harrisburg in second. Neither team advanced out of the preliminary round.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A member of the Oakwood cheer squad shows her spirit during the squad's routine on Friday.

---

"Going into the championship round is an example of just how much hard work we put into this season, the unseen practice by the judges, and the dedication from every single athlete," said Rylan Wilson, the only male athlete on the 12-person squad. In his third year competing in the sport, Wilson was honored as an All-Stater by the Illinois High School Cheerleading Coaches Organization (IHSCCO) before the preliminary round started. "I just hope we give it 100% again. I don't mind what place we finish in. It's just all or nothing."

One of two team captains, Jeslyn Rhodes, is happy to be part of the first team from the program to make it into the trophy round at the state cheer meet.

"Honestly, it just means so much. It shows how much hard work we all put in," Rhodes said. "We proved how well we can work together."

She gave a shout-out to fans and appreciated their support during their preliminary routine. "Our school came out to support us, and I'm just glad it was worth their time."

Joseylinda Nunez, the team's other captain, was proud of her teammates and their work ethic throughout the season.

"They really did work hard," she said, describing the effort the team put into learning two new routines at the beginning of the season. They focused on their 'Three Cs' - Confidence, Consistency & Clean. "I feel like our strength is us coming together and our energy."

This year's team is composed of 12 students, including Jett Pierce, Jeslyn Rhodes, Joseylinda Nunez, Rylan Wilson, Ireland Harrison, Khloe Estock, Chloe Vinson, Harlow Woodard, Karleigh Nelson, Arianna Finley, Brynlie Wait, Leanne Snow, Jaelyn Estock, and Sophia Aquino. The Comets are coached by fourth-year head coach Matteson Lee.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Members of the Oakwood competitive cheer team perform clean moves with confidence. Their attention to detail vaulted the program into its first foray in school history in day two competition at the annual IHSA state cheer competition.

---

The Oakwood cheer program has qualified for state seven times in the last decade. The Comets failed to make it out of the Mt. Vernon section last year, finishing behind St. Joseph-Ogden. The top five programs to advance last year were Breese Central and Mater Dei, Paris, New Berlin, and Robinson.

Now one of 10 teams, the Comets take the stage at noon to demonstrate their technical ability and competitive spirit while focused on bringing home the first state cheer trophy in school history.

Tickets for Saturday's finals competition are $12 at the door and can be purchased in advance online via TicketMaster or by phone at the City Box Office at (309) 434-2777.a

Schedule for Saturday

Small & Medium School Competition

10:00 a.m. - Doors of the arena open to public
10:55 a.m. - Welcome & National Anthem
11:00 a.m. - Small and Medium Team Finals
(Small and Medium team performances alternate)
12:45 p.m. - Small Team Awards
1:15 p.m. - Medium Team Awards

State Small School competitive cheer results

1 - Columbia 93.82
2 - Breese (Mater Dei) 90.84
3 - Wheaton (St. Francis) 90.6
4 - Richmond (R.-Burton) 90.3
5 - Fithian (Oakwood) 89.44
6 - Breese (Central) 88.92
7 - Lexington 88.7
8 - Poplar Grove (North Boone) 88.6
9 - Wilmington 88.36
10 - Carterville 88.06
11 - Somonauk 87.6
12 - Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) 86.86
13 - Johnsburg 86.6
14 - Pinckneyville 86.48
15 - Marengo 86.32
16 - Joliet (Catholic Academy) 86.06
17 - Greenville 85.98
18 - Harrisburg 85.5
19 - DuQuoin (H.S.) 85.44
20 - Glasford (Illini Bluffs) 83.56
21 - Elmhurst (Timothy Christian) 83.32
22 - Pontiac 82.8
23 - Elgin (St. Edward) 81.39
24 - Roxana 81.14
25 - Farmington 80.8

---

---