Game 1: Vernon Hills v. Montini

Friday, March 1

12:00 noon

Vernon Hills (30-2)

Starters

Sydney Smith, Guard, Jr.

Haley Lieberman, Guard, So.

Kasey Firnbach, Guard, So.

Brie Bahlmann, Forward, Sr.

Lauren Webb, Guard, Jr.

Top Scorers

Sydney Smith, 13.1 PPG

Lauren Webb, 12.6 PPG

Meri Bennett-Swanson, 10.9 PPG

Top Rebounders

Sydney Smith, 6.3 RPG

Meri Bennett-Swanson, 6.1 RPG

Lauren Webb, 5.5 RPG

How They Got Here

Vernon Hills made it to State with wins over Zion-Benton, Senn, St. Edward, Lakes, Grayslake Central, Regina Dominican, and Burlington Central.  They were able to push past these opponents, but they didn’t win by nearly as much as Montini.  They will be looking to keep their momentum from a 39-31 victory over Central.

Key Threat

Sydney Smith

Smith leads the team in both scoring and rebounds.  She should be Vernon Hills’ best chance at getting through the Montini defense.  Vernon Hills will need as much offense as possible to keep up with Montini’s scoring.

X-Factor

Vernon Hills will need to have Smith break Montini’s defense.  She is the team’s main threat and the best chance to keep up with Montini’s scoring.  Vernon Hills will need a lot of help to overcome Montini’s power.

Montini (34-1)

Starters

Lea Kerstein, Guard, Fr.

Kelly Karlis, Forward, Jr.

Malayna Johnson, Center, Sr.

Sara Ross, Guard, Jr.

Kateri Stone, Guard, Jr.

Top Scorers

Kateri Stone, 11.7 PPG

Malayna Johnson, 8.4 PPG

Kelly Karlis, 7.8 PPG

Top Rebounders

Malayna Johnson, 7.3 RPG

Sara Ross, 4.9 RPG

Kelly Karlis, 4.3 RPG

How They Got Here

Montini made it to State by defeating St. Francis, Crane/Chicago Talent Development, Rosary, Westinghouse, Glenbard South, and Phillips.  It has dominated all of its playoff opponents and is coming off of a 72-41 victory.  This momentum could mean bad news for Vernon Hills.

Key Threat

Malayna Johnson

Johnson is the team’s second-highest scorer and the team’s leading rebounder.  Her combination of offensive and defensive talent can push Montini past Vernon Hills.

X-Factor

Montini needs its top players to step up and play as well as they can.  Stone needs to lead the lead the Montini offense and Johnson needs to pull down several rebounds.  Vernon Hills will contest Montini’s offensive efforts, but if Montini can maintain a strong performance, it will take the victory.

Game 2:  Morton vs. Notre Dame

Friday, March 1

2:30 p.m.

Morton (30-4)

Starters

Kaitlyn Byrne, Guard, Jr.

Chandler Ryan, Guard, Fr.

Emily Schultz, Guard/Forward, Jr.

Abbie Cox, Guard, Jr.

Sarah Livingston, Forward, Sr.

Leading Scorers

Sarah Livingston, 12.6 PPG

Chandler Ryan, 11.2 PPG

Kaitlyn Byrne, 9.8 PPG

Leading Rebounds

Sarah Livingston, 7.8 RPG

Abbie Cox, 5.1 RPG

Kaitlyn Byrne, 4.6 RPG

How They Got Here

Morton defeated Washington, Limestone, and Bishop McNamara in their last three playoff games.  Their first two games were somewhat close with an eight-point margin of victory, but they came back to top Bishop McNamara with a commanding 66-40 victory.  However, they may struggle with the Notre Dame’s talent.

Key Threat

Sarah Livingston

Livingston leads the team in both scoring and rebounds.  She runs the Morton offense and will be the team’s main weapon against Notre Dame.

X-Factor

Morton will need strong performances out of its top three scorers (Livingston, Cox, and Byrne).  They control the team’s offensive game and will create the most pressure for Notre Dame.  A strong performance from these three should give Morton a win.

Notre Dame (28-0)

Starters

Kristin Gengenbacher, Guard, Jr.

Kassidy Gengenbacher, Guard, Sr.

Jordan Frericks, Guard, Sr.

Mary Beth Hugenberg, Forward, Jr.

Hannah Marcolla, Forward, Jr.

Top Scorers

Kassidy Gengenbacher, 18.5 PPG

Jordan Frericks, 17.5 PPG

Mary Beth Hugenberg, 10.3 PPG

Top Rebounders

Jordan Frericks, 8.4 RPG

Mary Beth Hugenberg, 4.1 RPG

Cassidy Foley, 4.1 RPG

How They Got Here

Notre Dame defeated Jacksonville, Southeast, Glenwood, Centennial, and Mater Dei to make it to State.  They have taken commanding leads in all of their playoff games and they have no margin of victory less than 22.  It began the playoffs with a commanding 85-26 victory and kept its momentum into a run to Normal.

Key Threat

Kassidy Gengenbacher

Gengenbacher has a whopping 18.5 points per game.  If she can keep this type of performance going into Friday’s game, she’ll give Morton problems and could give Notre Dame the win.

X-Factor

Notre Dame will need strong performances from Kassidy Gengenbacher and Jordan Frericks.  They are the two main offensive threats and can give the Notre Dame offense the edge over the Morton defense.  Morton should bring a strong defense, but Gengenbacher and Frericks can propel Notre Dame to a victory.

Photos by Mike Krebs