Highlanders rose quickly to join state's elite
Steve McCuiston cast a look at his celebrating Driscoll girls basketball team after Monday's supersectional win and smiled.
"Wow, that went by quick," the Highlanders coach exclaimed.
McCuiston was referring to the game. He easily could be describing the renaissance of his program.
Just four years ago Driscoll managed just six wins in McCuiston's second season. Now the Highlanders (31-1) are two wins away from a Class 2A championship, and they play their first game at Redbird Arena in a semifinal against Olney East Richland (28-7) at 6:30 p.m. today (Channel 50).
The ingredients of a state champion are all there.
Start with a 6-foot-4 Division I prospect in junior forward Courtney Lindfors. Add a dash of experience in senior Gigi DiGrazia, already a state golf champion, and juniors Lindfors and Taylor Reaber. Throw in great shooting with DiGrazia and sophomore Allie DiVito, who have combined to hit 91 3-pointers this year.
Put in a sophomore point guard Kasey Reaber who has grown by leaps and bounds in a year's time. Top it all off with two transfers in twins Shaquira Scott and Shaquina Scott.
"Most coaches that get a chance to go downstate say that you need to have that perfect storm - the right kids all at the same age," McCuiston said. "Everything has to come together in terms of talent."
After top-ranked Bloomington Central Catholic's upset loss in sectionals, it would appear that Driscoll and defending 2A champ West Hancock, which plays Nashville in tonight's second semifinal, are on course to decide this year's title. West Hancock is led by 6-2 all-stater Marley Hall.
But first things first.
East Richland, making its first state appearance since 2002, is seeking to become the third team in state history to win a title after seven regular-season losses. A stingy team defensively, the Tigers are allowing 30.8 points per game in the postseason. Leading the way is 5-9 sophomore forward Ebany Brumfield, 5-7 sophomore guard Taylor Stevenson and 5-8 senior forward Casey Kuenstler. East Richland's tallest player is 5-11 guard Ladi Stallard, who will likely match up with Driscoll's Kasey Reaber.
"They play an aggressive man-to-man defense," McCuiston said. "They seem like to penetrate offensively. If they do get to the rim Courtney should be able to give them some problems."
McCuiston knows his girls are in uncharted waters. Driscoll is only two weeks removed from winning just the second regional championship in school history.
But he makes no bones about what they're in Normal for.
"I think with the football team winning state as many times as they have," he said, "that has rubbed off on the girls that making a Final Four appearance is not enough around Driscoll. You have to win the whole thing. They're going down there with the attitude that going down there is not enough. We're not satisfied.
"We think that we have a pretty good team coming back next year but nothing is guaranteed. You have to take advantage of the opportunity in front of you."