Driscoll rolls into Class 2A supersectional

Call it lyrical punishment for a younger generation or defensive preparation, Driscoll's coaches pumped up select Neil Young music in practice Wednesday.

Idea being to force the girls to scream over it and communicate.

"It was (Driscoll coach Steve) McCuiston's stuff," junior Courtney Lindfors said. "A lot of old music. I don't even know what it is."

A night later, that Highlanders defense had Timothy Christian helpless.

No. 1 seed Driscoll was smothering in a 47-23 win in the Class 2A Lisle sectional final, clinching the school's second straight championship.

Driscoll (30-1), now the highest state-ranked team alive in the 2A playoffs after No. 1 Bloomington Central Catholic's loss to Tolono Unity, will play Bishop McNamara on Monday at the Elgin Community College supersectional.

"Very special," McCuiston said. "We're feeling more pressure this year. We're a little bit more relieved this time, but it's still very meaningful."

Anneke Stremler and Meghan Leach hit 3-pointers in the first three minutes for Timothy Christian (17-11). Driscoll's defense made it a chore the rest of the way, the Trojans shooting 9 of 28 from the floor with 18 turnovers.

"We turned the ball over too much," Trojans coach Ryan DeKoekkoek said. "A simple pass became labored. A cut to the basket became hard. We did hit a couple open shots, but not enough."

"Our team defense was outstanding tonight," McCuiston said.

Driscoll, down 8-2 four minutes in, rushed ahead quickly, turning three straight Timothy Christian turnovers into scores. Kasey Reaber and Gigi DiGrazia converted steals into scores, and DiGrazia knocked down a 3-pointer for an 11-8 lead. Up 20-14 with 2:07 left in the half, Driscoll finished with 6 straight points, two baskets by Lindfors and a Reaber hurried runner off the glass as time expired. The margin never got closer.

Lindfors, coming off a 30-point outing Monday, was held to 12 points with 12 rebounds and 6 blocks against a Timothy Christian zone that kept the score down. DiGrazia had 12 points, Kasey Reaber 11 and Taylor Reaber 10.

"We were prepared for that zone," Lindfors said.

"We did have them in our kind of game," DeKoekkoek said. "I told the girls we had to keep it in the 40s."

Leach had 10 points and Stremler 7 for Timothy Christian. Leading scorer Shannon McNeil, shadowed by Kasey Reaber with Lindfors' presence around the basket, was held to 2 free throws.

Driscoll now looks to avenge last year's loss to Bishop McNamara. The memory hasn't worn off.

"We want to play them again," Kasey Reaber said, "to prove we are better this year. We wanted them to win tonight."