After a week of sectionals that left plenty of talented teams on the outside looking in, only 16 teams remain in the IHSA Class 3A and 4A state playoffs. The supersectionals, featuring multiple intriguing matchups, are Monday. Here are two of the most interesting:
4A: Loyola vs. Huntley, 6 p.m. at Warren
In a bit of role reversal, Loyola is not the undefeated team in the state playoffs as it was in last season’s title run. Loyola is 71-2 over the last two seasons, a truly remarkable run of success. Led by Aubrey Galvan, the Ramblers are still a team that knows how to make teams play at the pace they want.
Galvan had a 23-point third quarter against Maine South that extended a two-point halftime edge into a comfortable 18-point lead.
Unbeaten Huntley enters the game on a high after knocking off Libertyville 63-50 to win its first sectional championship since 2016. Junior guard Aubrina Adamik scored a game-high 20 points in its win.
Shooting threes is the name of the game for Huntley. They love to hoist three-pointers — also a Loyola specialty — and they made seven in the first half against Libertyville. It should be a compelli matchup between two teams who play similar styles.
4A: Alton vs. Waubonsie Valley,
7 p.m. at Illinois Wesleyan
This game is a rematch of last year’s sectional final, which Waubonsie Valley won 55-53.
Alton enters this game after beating Pekin despite its two best players — seniors Jarius Powers and Kiyoko Proctor — battling the flu. How they recover will be key.
The Redbirds haven’t lost to an in-state team all season. They almost lost to Fremd earlier this season but ended up winning in a three-overtime thriller. They’re battle-tested and should be ready for the moment.
But the Warriors, who have won 21 consecutive games, are a formidable opponent. They beat Benet 66-61 to capture their second consecutive sectional title.
Junior guard Danyella Mporokoso is one of the best all-around scorers in the area, capable of heating up in an instant. Junior Arianna Garcia-Evans is a do-it-all guard who rebounds, defends and chips in with scoring.
All-Area nominations
Coaches, please send submissions for your players to be considered for the All-Area team to kwilliams@suntimes.com. Please include all relevant information, statistics and other milestones that would help make a case.
Notes
Nazareth junior forward Stella Sakalas continued to impress in a 72-71 loss to Kenwood on Tuesday. Sakalas crossed the 1,000-point milestone and has developed into one of the best talents in the state regardless of class.
Sakalas was dominant in the first half, scoring 16 points to lead her team. She knocked down threes, and the Broncos had trouble guarding her off the dribble.
υ Makenna Yeager scored 22 points to lead Glenbard West to a 48-39 victory against Batavia for its first sectional title since 1999.
Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Feb. 23, 2025
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Loyola (33-2) 1
Beat Maine South
2. Kenwood (32-3) 4
Plays Marist on Monday
3. Fremd (28-5) 3
Plays Glenbard West
4. Waubonsie Valley (31-1) 9
Plays Alton on Monday
5. Huntley (35-0) 12
Plays Loyola on Monday
6. Nazareth (31-3) 2
Lost to Kenwood
7. St. Ignatius (30-4) 8
Plays Marian Catholic on Monday
8. Young (25-9) 7
Lost to Kenwood
9. Benet (29-3) 5
Lost to Waubonsie Valley
10. Marist (26-8) 18
Miracle season continues
11. Glenbard West (23-12) (NR)
Beat Batavia and St. Charles East
12. Prospect (27-8) 11
Lost to Fremd
13. Libertyville (28-6) 10
Lost to Huntley
14. Maine South (25-10) 16
Lost to Loyola
15. Lake Zurich (24-8) 15
Lost to Huntley
16. Montini (24-10) NR
Won back-to-back sectional championships
17. St. Charles East (26-7) 13
Lost to Glenbard West
18. Glenbrook South (24-10) 14
Lost to Maine South
19. Lincoln-Way West (23-12) NR
Lost to Marist
20. Lockport (28-5) 19
Lost to Lincoln-Way West.
21. Marian Catholic (27-8) 23
Beat Providence
22. Batavia (24-10) 22
Lost to Glenbard West
23. Phillips (25-9) NR
Plays Crane on Monday.
24. Hinsdale Central (23-8) 24
Season over
25. Providence (23-12) 20
Lost to Marian Catholic