I want to start this column by thanking everyone who has read my stories and followed my coverage this season. It was gratifying to cover this season of girls high school basketball.
Steve Tucker, who died last May, did a tremendous job of covering girls basketball for the Sun-Times for years. Mike Clark resumed coverage for the newspaper a couple of years ago. Without those two putting in the time and effort, I wouldn’t be here.
Kenwood makes history
Kenwood (35-3) completed its season by winning its first Class 4A state championship with a 65-44 victory Saturday against Fremd (30-6) at Illinois State in Normal.
After crushing losses to Benet and Nazareth in the supersectionals in back-to-back seasons, the Broncos broke through this year after a victory last Monday against Marist sent them to state.
‘‘Since my freshman year, we lost in the supersectional,’’ said Danielle Brooks, who scored 24 points. ‘‘We should have gone down [to the state playoffs], but I knew we were going to come down here one way or another.’’
Coach Andre Lewis earned his 500th career victory, 300 of them at Kenwood. The title was the culmination of a rebuild years in the making.
‘‘When I first got here, we were known as an art school and very good academically always,’’ Lewis said. ‘‘But over the last decade, because of [principal Karen Calloway] and her predecessor, we have grown in athletics.
‘‘And it’s just a testament to a great community with a great academic background, great athletic resources and facilities.’’
Urlacher’s breakout
Fremd guard Coco Urlacher had the game of her life in the Class 4A semifinals Friday against Loyola, scoring 32 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Her shotmaking was scintillating.
The Vikings were disappointed in themselves for losing the Class 4A title game to Kenwood, but they played admirably, showing resilience and grit on the court.
Urlacher had 16 points and 11 rebounds against Kenwood.
‘‘I’m so proud of our team,’’ Urlacher said. ‘‘We didn’t come out on top, but it just wasn’t God’s plan for us to win. We didn’t get the results, but it was special to be part of this team.’’
Fremd dealt with the loss of former coach Dave Yates, who died of cancer last summer, all season. After their victory against Loyola, the Vikings talked about his legacy and what he meant to them. No matter the result, this team will be bonded for life.
‘‘What this team went through losing coach Yates, that’s not an experience anyone could even understand,’’ senior guard Ella Todd said.
Urlacher, who is uncommitted, embodied Fremd’s spirit at the state tournament. Her relentless effort and motor always stood out.
St. Ignatius’ run
I’m going to have more about St. Ignatius this week, but the Wolfpack had a terrific season. They finished with the most victories in program history (32) behind senior forward Reganne Reardon, who was a standout all season with her mix of athleticism and skill.
Senior guards Sally Kennedy and Gabby Hinton were stabilizing forces, too.
Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for March 9, 2025
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Kenwood (35-3) 2
Class 4A state champions
2. Fremd (30-6) 3
Second-play finish in Class 4A
3. Loyola (34-4) 1
Fourth-place finish in 4A
4. Waubonsie Valley (31-2) 4
Lost to Alton
5. Nazareth (31-3) 2
Stella Sakalas returns next year
6. Montini (27-10) 16
Won Class 3A state championship
7. Young (25-9) 8
Losing Destiny Jackson
8. St. Ignatius (32-5) 7
Second-play finish in Class 3A
9. Lyons (31-3) NR
Emma O’Brien returns
10. Marist (26-9) 10
Lost to Kenwood
11. Glenbard West (23-13) 11
Lost to Fremd
12. Prospect (27-8) 12
Alli Linke has a high motor
13. Libertyville (28-6) 13
Lily Fisher returns
14. Maine South (25-10) 14
Graduating 17 seniors
15. Lake Zurich (24-8) 15
Losing Avery Cooper
16. Huntley (35-1) 5
Lost to Loyola in 4A supersectional
17. St. Charles East (26-7) 13
Addie and Brooklyn Schilb return
18. Glenbrook South (24-10) 19
Gina Davorija
19. Lincoln-Way West (23-12) NR
Lost to Marist
20. Lockport (28-5) 21
Graduates two seniors
21. Marian Catholic (27-9) 21
Lost to St. Ignatius
22. Batavia (24-10) 22
Losing Hallie Crane
23. Phillips (26-11) 23
Fourth-place finish in 2A
24. Hinsdale Central (23-8) 24
Katherine Skinner returns
25. Providence (23-12) 25
Losing Molly Knight