Road to normal has been decided...

After over 12 weeks of basketball, it all came down to the elite Eight in Class 3A and 4A girls basketball. From here, the Final Four was decided and four teams from each class is headed to Normal, IL to play for the 2011 State championship. CLASS 3A
HILLCREST 77 GALESBURG 70 - be sure to check out the Class 3A bracket for the road to Normal
Hillcrest had to dig even deeper in the Class 3A Supersectionals on Monday night than they did last Thursday against Morgan Park in order to punch their ticket to the Final Four against Galesburg Silver Streaks.

The Lady Hawks jumped out to an early 10-2 lead through the first 3 minutes of play then the Silver Streaks got things going with their high-tempo offense, three-point shooting abilities and the use of the Grinnell system. They were able to tie the game at 24 early in the second quarter and the lead at halftime, 34-32, mainly due to the long ball.


In the second half, the Hawks turned to their 1-3-1 trap defense, which caused 8 turnovers and a 12-0 run in the third quarter.

“Those two four-minute stretches they dominated were enough to beat us,” Galesburg coach Evan Massey said. “The third quarter was a nightmare for us. Our passes were east-west. They’d get a steal and were off to the races.”

Going into the final quarter, senior Yolanda De La Torre fouled out with 7:31 left to play. “It was not good but I believed in my team the whole time and hated I couldn’t be in there to help them out,” De La Torre said. The Hawks have had many players step up when needed. In the Regionals it was Karlisa Harris... in the sectionals it was Dana Gettis... and tonight, it was Jahmia Phillips... “Wow!” said Coach John Maniatis of Phillips gameplay tonight. She had the team high of 22 and 16 of those came in the second half when they were needed the most. “I just had to do it for my best friend, Yo; she needs to go downstate,” Phillips said of De La Torre. “I tried to stay as calm as possible because it wasn’t going to help being nervous. We knew they were a 3-point shooting team.” To view Phillips sealing the deal down the stretch on two BIG free throws, click here.

Phillips lays the ball up for two

Galesburgs' Grinnell system pulled them within four on several occasions in the last two minutes of the game including *Jessica Howard hitting six straight 3 pointers down the stretch. But, missed free-throws including Jessica Lieber missing two key free throws with 26.3 left to play and lack of rebounding proved to be big against them.

Then an unusual situation occurred with 11.3 left in regulation. The Lady Hawks Phillips laid her body out for what initially was thought to be a offensive charge. Well, one official saw a charge while the other saw a jump ball. After a brief discussion, the call was nullified and changed to a jump ball since they couldn't come to an agreement resulting a Hillcrest ball.

NOTE: The Lady Hawks scored the highest score on the night in all girls playoff games with 77.

NOTE: *Jessica Howard was added to the history books knocking down six three-pointers in the game. She finished the season with 139 three-pointers. Congratulations Jessica!!!! Howard led Galesburg with 22 points, including six 3-pointers, making her the new state record holder for 3s made in a season with 139. “We played hard all season and made it farther than anyone thought we would. We could have given up, but we didn’t and we stuck together. I’m proud of everyone on the team,” senior guard Jessica Howard said after the game.

Howard's record setting shot

Other key players where Shannise Heady who finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 OUTSTANDING blocks down the stretch; Samirah Ali added 13 and Karlisa Harris 10. Jessica Howard had 22 points including six 3-pointers. Click here to view Heady's block.

De La Torre and Heady receiving the supersectional plaque

Hillcrest celebrates winning 2011 Supersectional

De La Torre cutting down the net

Hillcrest Fans... click here

“That’s not the net we want!” Maniatis shouted as senior Yolanda De La Torre cut down the cords at one end of the gym. “Remember that!” You can watch De La Torre cutting down the net by click here.

MARSHALL 46 ST. JOSEPH 37 - be sure to check out the Class 3A bracket for the road to Normal
Marshall took an early lead and never looked back in their Class 3A supersectional game obtaining them a 46-37 victory.

“This was my most special team because they are so unpredictable,” said Marshall coach Dorothy Gaters after the game. “We lost three kids during the season and we still are trying to find out who can give us a few minutes.”

“We deserve to be going Downstate, we worked hard and we played our hearts out,” Apiphany Woods said. “Playing without our leader [injured Shantiera Miller, who played just five minutes]. we knew that we had to step up.”

Keshawnee Alley finished with 18 points, eight boards and four blocks, Woods added 13 points.

Gaters is leading Marshall to its 19th Final Four. The Commandos have eight state titles, three seconds and six third-place finishes.

CLASS 4A
YOUNG 74 MARIAN CATHOLIC 52 - be sure to check out the Class 4A bracket for the road to Normal
This is Young's third straight supersectional game and they made yet another statement on their way downstate to take on Bolingbrook Friday night. The Dolphins built a 20-point lead with speed, brilliant passing, an occasional three and quick hands on defense.

They were led by Jenkins who had 19 points followed by Kiana Johnson who added 16 points. Simone Law and Jasmine Matthews each tallied 21 points for Marian Catholic.

BOLINGBROOK 59  EDWARDSVILLE 45 - be sure to check out the Class 4A bracket for the road to Normal
The Raiders used a 15-3 run late in the third period to grab a 40-27 lead and that helped it capture a 59-45 win over Edwardsville at Monday's Class 4A supersectional at Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington.

"In the first half we let our offense dictate our defense," Massengale said. "When we went in at halftime, we saw the game as being 0-0 again. I thought if we could get off to a good start then, we could put them away early."

This is the third straight year Bolingbrook defeated in the supers.

Morgan Tuck led the way with 20 points and grabbed six rebounds for Bolingbrook. Ariel Massengale also chipped in 17 points.

NOTE: We are proud to announce that for the entire month of February, S.C. Fitch Enterprises, and all of its affiliates including Amateur Sports News Network, ASNN365.com, and Amateur Sports Gallery will be honoring Black Athletes accomplishments on, as well as off the field of play for Black History Month. Click here for more!

Any pictures taking at the game can be found in our photo gallery - click here!

Here is your opportunity to stop hating the media and actually become it!

We are always looking for additional personnel. Click here if you are interested. If you would like to submit a story, score, stats, or even photos, click here.