Rematches rule in regional title games
Five girls basketball teams in the Tri-Cities Area will be playing for a regional title tonight at 7:30 p.m.
In Class 4A, Geneva and Schaumburg play at Bartlett. At Larkin, Upstate Eight Conference rivals St. Charles North and St. Charles East square off the second time this season.
There's two other repeat games: West Aurora and Waubonsie Valley on the Warriors' home court in 4A, and in Class 3A, Oswego and Rosary play again at Yorkville.
Here's a closer look at tonight's matchups.
No. 2 Schaumburg vs. No. 10 Geneva at Bartlett: Seeds be darned. The Vikings know what it's like to be a top seed and get upset.
In last year's regional final, the Vikings were the top seed, but were upset by eighth-seeded Rosary. Geneva knows in the second season, all bets are off.
"I feel our team can do anything," Geneva star Taylor Whitley said. "We are playing so well now. We hope for the best."
After falling to Batavia three times in the regular season, Geneva (21-6) advanced to the regional final by beating the rival Bulldogs, 69-50, behind Whitley's 30 points.
Schaumburg (26-5) advanced after topping Bartlett, 73-50. The Saxons were led by DrewAnn Pancratz' 24 points.
"Obviously, they are an excellent team and play in a tough conference," Geneva coach Gina Nolan said of the Saxons. "I'm excited for our kids and the program that we have the opportunity to play for a regional championship."
"We think it's going to be a good game," Geneva guard Emily Hinchman added. "They won't be ready for what we are going to throw at them."
No. 1 St. Charles North vs. No. 2 St. Charles East at Larkin: All the North Stars and Saints had to do was get past the first round of regional play to advance and play each other.
They did just that, and now the rival schools are facing off in one of the most exciting regional finals around.
"How about that?," St. Charles North coach Katie Sauber said of playing St. Charles East again. "It'd be a good game no matter who we play, but the fact that it's them makes it better. It's exciting to be in the regional game with them…we know they will be ready to play.
"We are fully-prepared."
Both teams advanced after topping fellow Upstate Eight Conference opponents. The North Stars (20-5) did it against Larkin, 52-37, behind Kelsey Smith's 22 points. The Saints (15-13) did it against South Elgin, 40-35, with Tasha Lalos leading the way with 15 points.
Earlier this year, the North Stars beat the Saints, 50-27.
"I'm looking forward to showing better than the first time we played them, and I think the girls are too," St. Charles East coach Lori Drumtra said. "You really don't have to say much to them because it's North. It's a natural motivator, and I'm sure it's the same for (the North Stars) as well."
No. 3 Waubonsie Valley vs. No. 5 West Aurora at Waubonsie Valley: The schools from Aurora battle it out for the second time this season.
The Warriors topped the Blackhawks 63-51 at the WarHawk Thanksgiving tournament in West Aurora's fifth game of the season.
West Aurora (19-8) advanced after beating Benet 61-41 in a game that Kyra Watson, the area's leading scorer and rebounder, tallied her 1,000th career point. She finished the game with 19 points.
Waubonsie Valley (25-2) advanced after defeating Oswego East, 67-38. The Warriors have had a balanced attack all season and won the Upstate Eight Conference undefeated.
No. 1 Rosary vs. No. 2 Oswego at Yorkville: The Royals were the only girls team in the Tri-Cities Area last year to win a regional title.
Rosary (22-5) advanced after topping Yorkville, 68-34, led by Jordan Rettig's 28 points. Oswego did it by beating Yorkville, 81-49.
"I like our chances," Rosary coach Dave Beebe said. "This is not a new experience for the kids, playing in a regional final."
This will be the second time the Panthers and Royals square off this year. Rosary beat Oswego 52-39 in the championship game of the Oswego Holiday Classic.
At that time, Rosary knew Oswego was in the same sectional. Beebe said the Royals figured the chances of playing the Panthers again were pretty good.
Regardless, the Royals are ready for them.
"If we play like we played against Yorkville, I like our chances," Beebe said. "I thought we played well."