Saints, Vikings enter sectionals after taking 2 different paths
One surprise and one favorite will represent the Tri-Cities girls basketball teams in sectional play next week.
Geneva, 29-0, is where it is supposed to be, playing Elk Grove at 6 p.m. Monday in the Class 4A Addison Trail sectional semifinals.
Two hours later that night, St. Charles East (16-13), fresh off its upset over St. Charles North to win the Class 4A South Elgin regional, will try to keep its impressive run going against Crystal Lake South in the Jacobs sectional.
Here is a closer look at both sectionals.
Addison Trail sectional: Upsets have been the story so far, with No. 12 seed Elk Grove and No. 18 York combining to knock off the No. 2, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 7 seeds to win regional titles.
That might come as a surprise to some, but not Geneva coach Gina Nolan.
"There were a group of teams that all had similar records," Nolan said of the sectional field. "It doesn't surprise me. Elk Grove got to play on their home court and had some real nice crowd support. It's kind of who gets hot right now and who is doing things well."
Elk Grove (16-11) is led by 6-foot junior Ashley Capotosto, who had 24 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks in their 57-45 regional final win over Fremd.
The Vikings will counter with 6-foot-1 Lauren Wicinski and 6-foot Kelsey Augustine to try to make Capotosto work for her points around the basket.
"They are a real nice team," Nolan said. "Very disciplined, organized on offense and defense. It will be a good battle. We're just trying to focus on what we need to take care of."
Taylor Whitley led Geneva with 22 points Friday in a 65-35 win over Proviso West, giving Geneva its fourth regional title. The Vikings have never won a sectional, coming close at this same venue in 2006 when they fell 47-40 to Montini in the championship game.
The Geneva-Elk Grove winner will play either No. 3 seed Lake Park or 18th-seed York on Thursday for the sectional title.
The elusive first sectional crown is all the Vikings care about even as their undefeated record keeps climbing to more impressive heights.
"There's like a target on our back and everyone is going to be out to get us because of our record," senior guard Emily Hinchman, whose 9.5 scoring average is third on the team in scoring behind Whitley (20.7) and Wicinski (11.5).
"I think when we are out there we just play our game and don't worry about our record."
The Grenadiers have played state-ranked Wheeling twice this season.
"Wheeling is probably a little more athletic but Geneva is really solid," Elk Grove coach Ryan Kirkorsky said. "By far, we are playing our best basketball of the season. Our kids are gaining confidence with every game."
Olivia Roback chipped in 14 points against MSL West runner-up Fremd.
"I would say the No. 1 thing we have to do is get back on defense," Kirkorsky said. "They really like to push the ball in transition. And we have to handle their pressure."
Jacobs sectional: Lori Drumtra and Kyle McCaughn have common goals for their girls basketball teams - to not rest on what's been accomplished but to strive for more.
Drumtra's St. Charles East squad and McCaughn's Crystal Lake South team will match up Monday at 8 p.m. in the second semifinal of the Class 4A Jacobs sectional, and it's uncharted waters for both the Saints and Gators. None of the current St. Charles East players were on the varsity the last time the Saints won a regional - 2006 - and most of the Gators were still in diapers when CLS last won a regional in 1993. South pushed into the sectional with a 32-29 win over Jacobs in the South regional final.
"We've discussed that it's not all about just beating North," said Drumtra. "They have a great opportunity now to take it further. We've been encouraging them not to be satisfied and I think they all want to go further."
Said McCaughn: "We were very businesslike at practice (Saturday). Our girls know what's ahead of them and they know we need to be prepared for Monday. It comes quick. There was no celebrating (Saturday). We did that (Friday night) and they came (Saturday) ready to work."
The Gators (25-4), who have set a school record for wins, will have a decided size advantage over the Saints. South starts two 6-footers in senior Caitlin Mize and junior Jenny Hanrahan, and two 5-9 players who play bigger than that in juniors Michelle Gaede and Katie Burton. Defensive specialist Carly Juliano, a 5-6 senior, also appears to play bigger than 5-6 much of the time.
"They've got a lot of height and they're scrappy. They remind me a lot of South Elgin," said Drumtra, whose team beat South Elgin twice, including in a regional semifinal. "It isn't something we haven't seen before. I think it will be a good matchup."
While South has the size advantage, Drumtra is confident her guard-oriented offense can get the job done. With senior Natasha Lalos and juniors Lexi Baltes and Jaime Rust carrying much of the ball-handling duties, the Saints have rebounded from a somewhat disappointing 2-2 showing at the Wheaton North Christmas tournament, which included a 10-point loss to Jacobs, to go 8-7 since then and come into Monday's game 16-13.
"We had a chance to see them play St. Charles North and they're a very scrappy and talented team," said McCaughn of the Saints. "They can shoot the outside shot and they handle the ball very well. They pass well and they move well without the ball. We'll have to concentrate on taking away their dribble penetration."
Drumtra feels the battle of the glass will be a key to the game.
"Rebounding will be a key factor," she said. "We're a small lineup. Pretty much every team we play we're giving up inches. Our strengths are on the perimeter. We've got some really good athletes on the perimeter. Most teams only have one player who can handle the ball and I feel we have three."
- John Radtke