Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Valmeyer senior takes her shot at a state title
Kenwood topples Alton in girls' 4A state semifinal battle, Powers scores 19 for Redbirds in loss
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
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.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
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."
Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
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.
Sentinel/Clark Brooks
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.
Hunter Wahtola earns All-State Honors with bronze medal finish at 285 pounds
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
CHAMPAIGN - Representing DePaul College Prep this weekend on Illinois wrestling's biggest stage, Hunter Wahtola battled his way through the consolation bracket for a third-place finish at the IHSA Boys Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Staying determined and tenacious, he overcame the physically demanding battles from equally motivated opponents in the heavyweight division. Wahtola entered the State Farm Center with a solid 31-10 record, eager to surpass his freshman year performance where he wrestled at 215 pounds and faced a tough draw in the bracket. This season, with improved technical finesse and increased strength, he left no doubt about his prowess on the mat, finishing the season with 36-11. Wahtola's season-long journey culminated in a series of victories at state that also earned him All-State honors. His path to the podium was marked by resilience and smart wrestling. Wahtola's campaign at state saw him triumph in five out of six matches. His pivotal matches included decisive victories over formidable opponents, including an 11-6 victory over Cary-Groves' Lucas Burton (30-5) and a 6-1 decision over St. Rita's Pat Conneely (18-13). Demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure, his attention to detail and strong work ethic in the off-season paid dividends.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
In his bronze medal match against Anthony Sebastian of Elmhurst (IC Catholic), Wahtola used his head and his brawn. Utilizing the first period to assess his opponent, Wahtola scored on an escape in the second period, followed by a pivotal takedown that solidified his lead. With a scoreless third period, he clinched the victory with a 4-0 decision, securing the third-place spot on the podium. Wahtola did not travel downstate to Champaign alone. Also competing for DePaul College Prep against the top wrestlers in the state were teammates Nabiel Rosario and Max Rosen. Rosario, competing at 132 pounds, concluded his season with a commendable 33-13 record. He dropped his preliminary round match and bounced back to win his first-round wrestleback, getting a tech fall on Waterloo's Konnor Stephens. The senior was then majored in his next match against Deerfield's Jackson Palzet (50-3). Meanwhile Rosen, wrestling at 144 pounds, finished at 32-11 after going 2-2 at state. His first victory over Matton's Ben Capitosti (45-7) was settled via a 5-2 decision. He picked up a second win after his quarterfinal loss, pinning Civic Memorial's Nathen Herrin (34-17) at 4:36.
More stories ~
- Brazelton advances to quarterfinals at state for the Rockets
- Oakwood's Steven Unden advances to semifinal round at state wrestling
- More IHSA State Wrestling articles
- Aidan Kenney's strong performance at IHSA state finals earns a fourth place finish
- Providence Catholic's Jasper Harper wins in sudden victory at state meet
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.
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.
Mission Accomplished: Providence Catholic advances to state cheer finals
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
A member of the Providence Catholic cheer team floats through the air on a tumbling run at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals during Friday's prelims.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Celtic cheerleaders deliver fierce performance at state. The squad looks to impress judges again to bring home state hardware.
Schedule for Saturday
Small & Medium School Competition
10:00 a.m. - Doors of the arena open to public10:55 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 - Grayslake Central 94.502 - Oak Forest 94.26
3 - Providence Catholic 94.21
4 - Morris 93.88
5 - Cary-Grove 91.68
6 - Benet Academy 91.19
9 - Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge 90.20
10 - Lemont 89.79
Defending champ Lake Forest leads strong field at IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals
Members of the Lake Forest Varsity Blue Dance Team perform at the 2024 state dance competition. Lake Forest won the Class 2A title and look to win another this weekend in Bloomington.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
BLOOMINGTON – The road to an IHSA Competitive Dance state title runs through Grossinger Motors Arena this weekend, where 30 Class 2A teams will battle for a coveted spot in Saturday’s finals. With nine of last year’s top 12 squads returning, the competition is stacked with experienced contenders looking to make their mark. Defending champion Lake Forest enters its 10th consecutive state finals appearance with a history of success, including two first-place titles, a runner-up finish, and two third-place trophies since IHSA introduced the sport. The Scouts will look to hold off a strong field, including last year’s runner-up Lincoln-Way West, a program that has never missed a state final and boasts seven sectional titles along with two state trophies. Geneva, another perennial power, returns after securing a state berth for the 12th time. The program has finished in the top three every time it has competed at state, amassing 11 trophies—five first-place, four second-place, and two third-place finishes. Other returning teams looking to break through include Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills, Burlington Central, St. Charles North, Deerfield, and Grant. Notably, Jones, Lincoln-Way Central, and Crystal Lake Central were unable to advance out of sectionals. The top 12 teams from Friday’s preliminary round will advance to Saturday’s finals, where a new state champion will be crowned.
Event Schedule and Ticket Information
The Class 2A competition kicks off Friday morning, with doors opening at 9:15 a.m. The first performance is set for 10:15 a.m., with the final routine scheduled for 2:21 p.m. The top teams from the preliminary round will advance to Saturday’s finals, with finalists announced at 2:40 p.m.
Fans traveling to watch the state’s best high school dance teams in action can purchase tickets for $12 per person. Digital tickets are available for purchase online or by calling the City Box Office at 309-434-2777.
Attendees should be aware that Grossinger Motors Arena enforces a clear bag policy. All bags, purses, and personal items will be subject to search upon entry. If an item is prohibited or too large, guests must return it to their vehicle or surrender it at the entrance, as the venue does not provide storage for oversized items.
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