The regular season is officially over. Conference and Public League champions have been crowned, and now it’s time for the state playoffs.
While the attention for the playoffs is centered on which teams will travel to Bloomington-Normal for the semifinals and finals, the road to get there will be filled with matchups that generate interest and intrigue.
In the La Grange Sectional, No. 1 seed Lyons likely will have to play No. 4 seed Young. Talk about an overqualified No. 4 seed. The Dolphins’ record is deceiving because of how challenging their schedule has been.
Young beat Kenwood on Saturday to win its fourth consecutive Public League championship. Destiny Jackson was marvelous in the game, providing everything her team needed. Beyond Jackson’s tremendous performance, however, the Dolphins got contributions from sophomore sharpshooter Gaby Domercant and senior guard Kiaya Johnson.
‘‘Everybody did what they do well,’’ Young coach Krissy Harper said. ‘‘Gabby shot the ball well because that’s what she does. KJ was that other ballhandler that we needed. For her to be hurt the whole year and come back as a senior and play in her city championship game and then do the things that she did, you couldn’t write a better story.’’
On the other side of the bracket, No. 3 Nazareth likely will have to play No. 6 Hinsdale Central in the regional finals. Hinsdale Central has had a complete turnaround from last season. After going 11-20 last season, the Red Devils are 22-7. They’re not going to be an easy out.
Nazareth’s reward if it beats Hinsdale Central and advances to the sectional semifinals? A showdown against No. 2 Kenwood. If that matchup happens, it might be an instant classic.
And Kenwood, after losing to Young, is ready for the state tournament.
‘‘Quick turnaround, but I’m very confident that we’ll get down to state and get the big trophy,’’ Broncos forward Diann Jackson said.
The Northbrook Sectional also should have some fun matchups. Loyola is the No. 1 seed and looking formidable, as always. But with Maine South and Glenbrook South being the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, the Ramblers’ road to state might be challenging.
Maine South and Glenbrook South could meet in the sectional semifinals. The Hawks have had a committee approach to their offense this season. Senior guard Ally Pape and sophomore guard Hayden Fahy are their top scoring threats, and senior Asia Kobylarczyk is a reliable post presence. The Titans are led by senior guard Gina Davorija.
Fremd wins MSL championship
Fremd ended the season strong, knocking off Lyons and Prospect in back-to-back games on its way to the Mid-Suburban League title.
Guard Ella Todd was named MSL player of the year, and senior guards Coco Urlacher and Ellie Thompson joined her on the all-conference team.
The Vikings came close to reaching the Class 4A finals last season before losing to eventual champion Loyola.
Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Feb. 16, 2025
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Loyola (29-2) 2
Plays Mather on Monday
2. Nazareth (29-2) 3
On 21-game winning streak
3. Fremd (24-5) 4
On seven-game winning streak
4. Kenwood (28-3) 1
Lost to Young
5. Benet (26-2) 5
Plays Plainfield East on Monday
6. Lyons (28-2) 6
Lost to Fremd
7. Young (22-8) 9
Beat Kenwood
8. St. Ignatius (25-4) 7
Beat St. Francis
9. Waubonsie Valley (27-1) 8
Plays Plainfield South
10. Libertyville (25-5) 11
Plays Round Lake on Monday
11. Prospect (24-7) 10
Fremd wins MSL Championship
Loss to Fremd
12. Huntley (31-0) 12
Plays Jefferson on Monday
Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Feb. 9, 2025
13. St. Charles East (24-6) 13
Plays Willowbrook on Monday
14. Glenbrook South (22-9) 14
Plays Lincoln Park on Tuesday
15. Lake Zurich (22-7) 15
Plays Warren on Tuesday
16. Maine South (22-9) 16
Plays Niles North on Tuesday
17. St. Charles North (22-8) 17
Plays Proviso West
18. Hinsdale Central (22-7) 18
Plays Argo on Tuesday
19. Lockport (26-4) 19
Plays Joliet Central on Monday
20. Marist (22-8) 20
Beat St. Viator
21. Providence (20-11) 21
Plays Thornridge on Monday
22. Lane (17-12) 22
Lost to Young
23. Batavia (21-9) 23
Plays Glenbard North on Tuesday
24. Marian Catholic (22-8) 24
Beat Carmel
25. Glenbrook North (22-6) 25
Beat Niles West