Redbird girls basketball team win program's first trophy at state, Alton defense suffocates Loyola in third-place game

Talia Norman holds up the team's third-place state trophy
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A-Town's Talia Norman holds up the team's third-place state trophy after defeating Loyola Academy, 54-44. The Alton Redbirds celebrated taking home the program's first state trophy last week.
NORMAL - The Alton girls' basketball team etched its name in school history by defeating defending champions Loyola Academy 54-44 in the Class 4A third-place game at the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals. Led by seniors Kiyoko Proctor, Jarius Powers, and Talia Norman, the Redbirds secured their first state trophy on Saturday, March 8, on the ISU Redbirds' home court.

"We've been chasing this moment for a long time," said Alton head coach Deserea Howard, surrounded by her team during the postgame conference. "Our biggest battle initially was just getting in the gym. This morning, we decided we would end on a win, and that's exactly what we did."

Howard emphasized that this season's team had prepared by adapting to various styles of play, stating, "You never know what to expect in a state championship (game)."

Since 2019, Alton's girls' basketball program has transformed from a four-win season to consistently achieving 30-plus wins the past three season under Howard. Despite being located in southern Illinois among a handful of Class 4A schools, Howard has molded the Redbirds into a formidable force.

Alton vs Loyola Photo Gallery

Reflecting on their journey, Howard noted the team's determination to finish on a high note after a hard-fought 61-65 loss to Kenwood in the semifinals.

"Yesterday, we discussed the pace and physicality of the game, which is our style. We knew it would be tough, but today we came out and played Alton basketball," Howard said.

Loyola struggled from the start against Alton's speed and size, managing just four points in the first quarter while shooting a dismal 14% from the field. Despite a fourth-quarter resurgence led by Emily Naraky, whose scoring sparked a shooting percentage increase to 63%, it wasn't enough to overturn Alton's strategic lead.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Loyola's Ellie Thompson pleads with an official to reverse a call during second half action against Alton in the Class 3A third-place game.

The moment was not lost on Howard and team members.

"It means a lot because I know how hard we've worked all these years," said Powers, who led the game with 16 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. "We definitely deserve this. I'm proud of how we executed."

Joining Powers in double figures were Proctor with 11 points, and Ja'Kayla Steen and Norman each contributing 10 points. Alton wrapped up the season with an impressive 34-3 record. For Loyola (34-4), seniors Aubrey Galvan and junior Marycait Mackie both scored 11 points, with Naraky adding 10 in their final game of the season.


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Kenwood topples Alton in girls' 4A state semifinal battle, Powers scores 19 for Redbirds in loss

Alton's Jarius Powers at the IHSA state basketball tournament
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Kenwood's Ariella Henigan and Icesis Thomas try to take the ball from Alton's Jarius Powers during second-half action of their Class 4A state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena.
NORMAL - Kenwood High School punched its ticket to the Class 4A championship game, holding off Alton High School 61-55 in a physical semifinal battle Friday at CEFCU Arena in Normal during the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals.

The Redbirds arrived in Normal with a nearly spotless record, dropping just two games all season—both to out-of-state opponents. They had dominated every Illinois team they faced until Friday's showdown with Kenwood on the home floor of their name-sake Illinois State University Redbirds.

Kenwood wasted no time seizing control. Henigan opened the scoring with a jumper to give the Broncos a 2-0 lead, and they never looked back. Despite an early push from Powers and Proctor, who combined for 14 first-quarter points, the Broncos held the lead for the entire contest.

Kenwood head coach Andre Lewis wasn't surprised Alton made it a fight.

"I knew they were coming back," he explained. "We had a run. They had a run. We had a run ... you just have to withstand it and in the most critical moments, execute."

Fueled by a suffocating full-court press, Kenwood jumped ahead by as many as 14 points in the first quarter and took a 35-30 advantage into halftime. But Alton refused to fade quietly.

Alton's Justice Haynes is tripped up
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Alton's Justice Haynes is tripped up while going for a loose ball with Kenwood's Icesis Thomas. Haynes finished the game with just two points, two assists and a steal. Thomas, who had five points, four steals and two rebounds, will play for Broncos' first state title Saturday evening.

The Redbirds clawed their way back with better rebounding before the break. Powers hauled in four boards and chipped in three points, while Norman scored four, including a crucial three-pointer from Madeleine Ducey. Twice in the third quarter, Alton trimmed the deficit to just one point but couldn't wrestle the lead away from the Broncos.

Senior Ariella Henigan led the way for the Broncos with 18 points, shooting 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. She stuffed the stat sheet, adding three rebounds, five steals, and four assists while logging 31 minutes on the floor. Junior Danielle Brooks chipped in 17 points, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the line, while senior London Walker-George also reached double figures with 12 points.

Alton senior Jarius Powers delivered a double-double with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. Powers entered the semifinal as the Redbirds' second-leading scorer this season with 457 points, trailing only Talia Norman, who added 12 points, five rebounds, and the team's lone block. Kiyoko Proctor also scored 12 points, led the team with four assists, and was perfect from the line at 2-for-2.

Lewis summed up the game in simple terms.

"The game was nothing short of a dogfight," he said. "The action was physical, it was extremely competitive, and it was contentious on both ends. Both teams didn't want to lose."

Alton head coach Deserea Howard echoed that sentiment.

"It was a fast-paced game. A physical game," she said. "We were definitely expecting that. We battled. We battled hard. Obviously, you want to battle harder when you get to this moment."

Howard acknowledged her team's defensive identity but felt they strayed from their usual intensity.

"We didn't really focus hard enough on that," she recounted. "We dug ourselves into a deep hole, and the battle back was intense."

Kenwood's London Walker-George and Icesis Thomas help teammate Danielle Brooks up
ABOVE: Kenwood's London Walker-George and Icesis Thomas help teammate Danielle Brooks up after a foul play in the first half. BELOW: Alton student fans (left to right) Scarlett Eades, Emily Phillips, Dillan Cowan and David Reese celebrate a three-point shot by the Redbirds in the second half.
Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Scarlett Eades, Emily Phillips, Dillan Cowan and David Reese celebrate a three-point shot

Despite trailing throughout the game, Howard believed her team had a shot to pull off the comeback, relying on the lessons they had learned during regular season play.

"The battle back made me feel like we had a chance. We had a shot," she said. "You know, when you get to this stage, you can't let yourself get down that far."

Alton will have little time to regroup, returning to action against Loyola Academy in the third-place game Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. The Lady Ramblers fell to Fremd in a double-overtime heartbreaker, 80-74, setting the stage for what promises to be another intense battle.

London Walker-Georgia dribbles the ball
Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Redbirds' Madeleine Ducey and Talia Norman cutoff Broncos' London Walker-Georgia from attacking the paint near the baseline during first-half action.

Lewis, meanwhile, tipped his cap to Alton's effort.

"The way they play, how they go about their business, and they didn't want to lose," he said, praising the Redbirds' tenacity, determination and the fact they had not lost to an Illinois team all season. "There were two teams that didn't want to lose."

Kenwood prepares to face Fremd on Saturday night for the 4A title. If the Broncos bring the same energy to Doug Collins Court, they might take home the program's first state basketball championship trophy.

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State Wrestling |
Providence Catholic's Jasper Harper wins in sudden victory at state meet

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Providence Catholic's Jasper Harper celebrates his 10-7 sudden victory win over Brother Rice's Frank Miceli in their Class 2A 157-pound consolation semifinal match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Harper advanced to the third place match to face St. Ignatius' Nate Sanchez. Click here to see more Sentinel IHSA state wrestling coverage.
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The moment they've trained for, Columbia Eagles take charge at state cheer

Four-time state championship program looks to add a fifth after a strong preliminary performance on Friday.
Columbia High School competitive cheer squad at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The Columbia cheerleading team stand ready to take the floor at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. The Eagles emerged as the leaders in the Small School Division after Friday's first-round competition.
BLOOMINGTON - The Columbia High School cheerleading team delivered a standout performance in the preliminary round of the 2024-25 IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals on Friday, securing a commanding three-point lead in the Small School Division at Grossinger Motors Arena. With a score of 93.82, the Eagles outpaced Breese Mater Dei (90.84) and Wheaton St. Francis (90.60), positioning themselves as the team to beat heading into Saturday’s finals. Their three-point lead — a significant margin in competitive cheerleading — puts them in prime position to contend for another state title.

Columbia cheerleaders performing at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The Eagles' Friday performance was the best of the top-25 small school teams in the state. Fourth in the performance order, Columbia turned on the charm for crowd-pleasing routine. The squad is back on stage in the finals at 11:30 this morning, hoping to bring home another state trophy.
Columbia’s strong showing on Friday made a statement: Bring your A-game. The Eagles, who last won a state trophy in 2023, have finished in the top 10 for three consecutive years, including a second-place finish in 2023 and an eighth-place finish last year. With four state championships and six runner-up finishes in program history, Columbia is no stranger to competing against high-level cheer squads, boasting four state championships and six runner-up finishes in program history. Between 2009 and 2015, Columbia enjoyed a golden era, capturing four consecutive state titles.

This year’s finals will be intense. With Breese Mater Dei and Wheaton St. Francis in the title hunt, Columbia will need to execute their tumbling runs to perfection. Richmond-Burton (90.30) and Oakwood (89.44) rounded out the top five in the Small School Division, highlighting the depth of talent in the state. The Comets from Oakwood are newcomers to championship day competition, having qualified for day two for the first time in school history.

How Competitive Cheerleading is Scored
Competitive cheerleading is a high-energy sport that combines powerful athleticism, complex group choreography, and synchronized teamwork. Teams are scored on a 100-point scale, with judges evaluating teams across three major categories.

In Building Skills, stunts are assessed for difficulty, execution, and creativity, while pyramids are judged on stability, visual appeal, and synchronization. Tosses are evaluated based on height, technique, and timing, making precision and teamwork critical in this category.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Lylah Bridges is all smiles while performing a stunt during the Eagles' routine on Friday. Bridges and her Columbia teammates are fourth in today's performance order for small school programs. They will need the same infectious energy today in their bid for a state trophy.
The Tumbling & Jumps category focuses on athleticism and technical skill. Standing tumbling, such as back handsprings and layouts, is scored for difficulty and execution, as are running tumbling passes like fulls and whips. Jumps are judged on height, technique, and synchronization, requiring both power and precision from performers.

The last category is Choreography & Overall Effect which emphasizes the artistry and presentation of a team's routine. Smooth transitions and creative formations are essential, while crowd-leading ability measures how well teams engage and energize the audience. Overall performance, including energy, showmanship, and the routine’s overall impression, should tie everything together to create a memorable and high-scoring performance.

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

Schedule for Saturday
Small & Medium School Competition

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.

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

Top ten teams advancing to Saturday's Finals
1 - Columbia 93.82
2 - Breese Mater Dei 90.84
3 - St. Francis 90.60
4 - Richmond-Burton 90.30
5 - Oakwood 89.44
6 - Breese Central 88.92
7 - Lexington 88.70
8 - North Boone 88.60
9 - Wilmington 88.36
10 - Carterville 88.06
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Providence Catholic leads Class 2A prelims at IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals

Providence Catholic Dancing Celtics
Members of the Providence Catholic dance team strike their finale pose at the 2025 IHSA Competitive Dance State Finalson Friday. The Dancing Celtics finished the first day of competition as the Class 2A leaders.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
BLOOMINGTON - Providence Catholic danced its way to the top of the Class 2A preliminary standings at the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals on Friday, posting a 93.56 score to lead the field at Grossinger Motors Arena.

The Dancing Celtics, who placed fifth in last year’s finals, improved upon their 2024 preliminary standing by one spot and will look to claim the program’s first state title in Saturday’s championship round.

Morris secured the No. 2 position for the second straight year, earning a 92.34 score with their polished routine. Jacksonville, the reigning state champion, followed closely behind in third at 91.12, setting up a potential battle for the podium among the top three.

Morris Dance Team
Performing a hip hop routine, the Morris Varsity Dance team finished this year's state prelims in second place.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A tight race for the remaining top-five spots saw Montini (89.36), Carmel (89.30) and Highland (89.26) separated by less than a tenth of a point, underscoring the level of competition heading into the final round.

Evergreen Park (88.14), Marion (87.32), Joliet Catholic Academy (87.00), Nazareth Academy (86.84), Sycamore (86.00) and Clinton (85.18) rounded out the 12-team field advancing to Saturday's final.

With four of last year’s top five teams once again among the top performers, the 2025 championship showdown will feature familiar contenders at this year's state championships.

2025 Class 2A Preliminary Standings:
1. Providence Catholic – 93.56
2. Morris – 92.34
3. Jacksonville – 91.12
4. Montini – 89.36
5. Carmel – 89.30
6. Highland – 89.26
7. Evergreen Park – 88.14
8. Marion – 87.32
9. Joliet Catholic Academy – 87.00
10. Nazareth Academy – 86.84
11. Sycamore – 86.00
12. Clinton – 85.18

The Class 2A championship round begins Saturday morning.

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