'Final Five' set for sectional semifinals
As far as Cook County area girls basketball is concerned, it's down to the 'Final Five' when sectional action resumes on Monday and Tuesday.
Mid-Suburban League powers Hersey, Fremd and Rolling Meadows have advanced to the round of 32 along with Central Suburban North champ Maine West and East Suburban Catholic Conference entry St. Viator.
Here is a breakdown of their individual sectionals.
At Libertyville (Class 4A): MSL champ and top-seeded Hersey (26-3) takes on No. 5 Lake Forest (23-9) in Monday's 6 p.m. semifinal followed by MSL West champ and No. 2 seed Fremd (25-6) against host and No. 6 seeded Libertyville (18-11) at 7:30 p.m.
The Huskies are making an 11th sectional appearance under coach Mary Fendley, who guided them to fourth place in the Class 4A 2010 state tourney.
The 19-year veteran is coaching in her 11th sectional and fourth straight. The Huskies' current senior class is the winningest in school history, boys or girls, with 100 wins.
Hersey has won two sectionals (1994 and 2010).
Lake Forest, coached by Kyle Wilhelm, has never won a sectional. The Scouts have regional titles in 1998, 2003 and 2005.
In the second semifinal, Fremd coach Dave Yates has the Vikings looking for a third straight sectional title after finishing second in the state the last two seasons.
Fremd is making its 22nd appearance in a sectional (sixth under Yates) and has won seven.
Libertyville, coached by Greg Pedersen, is also a frequent visitor to the sectional, making its 23rd appearance and first since 2011
They have won five (1982, 1983, 1985, 1993 and 1994).
At Glenbard West (Class 4A): No. 3 seeded Rolling Meadows (22-7) meets No. 2 Wheaton North (23-5) in Monday's 7:30 p.m. semifinal following the 6 p.m. tip-off between No. 1 Geneva (24-4) and No. 5 Wheaton-Warrenville South (21-8).
Coach Ryan Kirkorsky has Meadows playing in its third sectional in school history, all under his guidance. The Mustangs were 4A state runners-up in 2013 and 2014.
Meadows' only losses this season in the MSL East were to champion Hersey.
Wheaton North, directed by coach Dave Eaton, is making tis ninth appearance in a sectional, the last in 2013.
The Falcons' only sectional crown came in 1986 when they advanced to the Elite Eight.
At Niles West (Class 4A): No. 3-seeded Maine West (25-3) faces No. 7 Maine South at 7:30 p.m. on Monday while top-seeded Evanston (25-3) meets No. 4 Loyola (21-10) at 6 p.m.
The signs read 'This was for Coach Kipp' after Maine West defeated No. 5 New Trier to win its own regional on Friday.
Now they'll try to do what the late Warriors coach Derril Kipp did nine times in his Hall of Fame career - win a sectional.
In all, the Warriors have won 10 sectionals and are appearing in their 25th. Their last sectional title came in 2007.
Coach Mark Smith has Maine South playing in its 18th sectional, the last in 2015.
The Hawks, who topped No. 2 Glenbrook South on Friday, have won four sectionals (1986, 2006, 2008 and 2011).
At Johnsburg (Class 3A): No. 4 St. Viator (16-13) will open its 11th appearance in a sectional against No. 1 Antioch (28-3) in the 6 p.m. semifinal on Tuesday followed by the 7:30 contest featuring No. 2 Johnsburg (24-8) and No. 3 Carmel Catholic (19-11).
Coach Jason Raymond, in his second season, has won regionals each year. The Lions, looking for their first sectional crown, also won regional crowns in 2002 and 2010.
Antioch is making its 11th appearance in a sectional, and third in a row.
Coach Tim Borries' Sequoits won the school's only sectional in 2015.
Carmel, coached by Kelly Perz, is a seven-time regional champion with its last title coming in 2014. The Corsairs won their only sectional that year under Perz.
Johnsburg is seeking a fifth sectional title with past crowns in 2008, 2009, 2010 and last season.