The Illinois High School Association girls playoffs start Saturday. It’s the best time for fans of high school basketball.
In Class 4A, there’s one sectional in particular I want to focus on: the La Grange Sectional.
The sectional features Lyons, Kenwood, Nazareth and Young, among others. It’s loaded. The team that comes out of this sectional will have a great shot because of the teams it will have to beat to get there.
But why did the IHSA lump four of the best teams in one sectional? That means several deserving teams won’t have the chance to go downstate.
It’s a shame the bracket fell this way because fans of the sport will be robbed of seeing some genuinely enticing matchups in the state finals.
Loyola wins GCAC Tournament
Loyola repeated as Girls Catholic Athletic Conference champions after beating St. Ignatius 73-61. Star guard Aubrey Galvan, the GCAC Player of the Year, scored 41 points to lead the Ramblers.
The Wolfpack were the last team to beat Loyola when the teams met for the Jesuit Cup in December. Since then, the Ramblers have racked up 23 consecutive victories. After losing a lot of talent from its Class 4A championship-winning team last season, Loyola has persevered and elevated new players into more prominent roles.
The Ramblers are one of the best teams in the state. Their free-flowing style is hard to guard, and Galvan is a dynamic offensive player who only needs a smidge of an opening to get a shot off.
But what makes Loyola click is how cohesive its players are. Sophomore forward Emily Naraky can knock down a three-pointer or attack the basket, junior guard Clare Weasler has grown as a ballhandler and decision-maker and senior forward Grace Bronski is a steady post presence.
The Ramblers are the No. 1 seed in the Northbrook Sectional. The Nos. 2-4 seeds are Maine South, Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South.
Public League playoffs
Lane, Phillips, Kenwood and Young are the four teams left in the Public League playoffs. Lane is led by senior forward Grace Bush, and Phillips has gone an impressive 21-8 this season.
On Wednesday, the four teams will compete at UIC’s Credit Union 1 Arena. Kenwood and Young are the prohibitive favorites to meet again for the Public League championship.
Lyons’ supporting cast
Despite Stanford commit Nora Ezike and star forward Emma O’Brien being limited Saturday because of foul trouble, guard Avery Mazan and forward Gwen Smith stepped up to give Lyons a chance to win.
Smith and Mazan each finished with 14 points. Smith also grabbed four rebounds. The Lions getting that experience without their two pillars will benefit them for the state playoffs.
Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Feb. 9, 2025
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Kenwood (27-2) 1
In Public League Final Four
2. Loyola (29-2) 5
Won GCAC Tournament
3. Nazareth (26-2) 4
On 18-game winning streak
4. Fremd (23-5) 7
Beat Lyons
5. Benet (26-2) 6
Beat Marian Catholic
6. Lyons (28-2) 2
Lost to Fremd
7. St. Ignatius (24-4) 3
Lost to Loyola
8. Waubonsie Valley (26-1) 8
Hosts Naperville Central on Tuesday
9. Young (20-8) 9
In Public League Final Four
10. Prospect (24-6) 11
On four-game winning streak
11. Libertyville (24-5) 12
Beat Maine South
12. Huntley (28-0) 10
Hosts McHenry on Monday
13. St. Charles East (23-6) 17
Beat Batavia
14. Glenbrook South (21-9) 14
Beat Evanston
15. Lake Zurich (21-7) 16
Hosts Mundelein on Wednesday
16. Maine South (21-9) 15
Lost to Libertyville
17. St. Charles North (21-7) 13
Hosts Geneva on Tuesday
18. Hinsdale Central (20-7) 20
At Proviso East on Tuesday
19. Lockport (25-4) 19
At Sandburg on Tuesday
20. Marist (21-8) 18
At St. Viator on Friday
21. Providence (19-11) NR
Third place in GCAC Tournament
22. Lane (17-11) NR
In Public League Final Four
23. Batavia (20-9) 22
At Glenbard North on Tuesday
24. Marian Catholic (22-8) 23
Lost to Benet and Nazareth
25. Glenbrook North (21-6) 25
Beat New Trier