Schaumburg edges Prospect for 1st regional title since 2013
After eight seasons directing the Schaumburg girls basketball program, coach Jacqie Strauch says she is taking a pause.
"I think I need a little break," said the veteran Saxons coach, who began her career as a head coach at Gordon Tech for the 2012-2013 season.
During the same girls basketball season, Schaumburg won a regional under coach Ashley Berggren.
On Thursday night in their own Class 4A regional, the Saxons won their first regional since that 2012-13 team.
"A lot of us were in kindergarten then," said Saxons senior Emma Jevtic (9 points, one 3-pointer, 4-of-4 free throws), who pulled down the most important rebound of the game and then hit the two most important free throws of her career to secure a 35-32 win for the No. 4 seeded Saxons (27-5) over No. 5 Prospect (20-13).
Schaumburg will face top-seeded and state-ranked Fremd (26-6) in the Vikings sectional semifinal at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
"When I got that rebound I was just thinking we got a regional title," Jevtic added. "I knew I had to make those free throws but I was terrified out of my mind."
Her coach was hardly terrified.
"She is so great at the free-throw line," said Strauch, whose team finished 17-1 on its home court this season (only loss to Fremd).
"So I just knew she was going to come up and be composed. She just had a fantastic game all around. She grabbed some rebounds and didn't let them go into jump balls. She was super active on (Alli) Linke (Prospect sophomore standout who had 12 rebounds). She just did a really nice job, and on top of that hit those clutch free throws. I'm super proud of her."
Prospect had one final chance and missed a long 3-pointer with time expiring.
The Knights were led by Skylar Splinter (7 points), Black (7) and Linke (6). Teammate Gina Falls also hit a big 3-pointer.
"The difference came down to the little things," Prospect coach Matt Weber said. "They were 11-of-12 at the free-throw line and we were 5-of-10. And in close games those little things are going to show up at the end. But I'm super proud of our team. We just kept battling and had so many people step up at big moments hitting some big shots or making a good defensive stop."
"Credit Schaumburg," said Weber, whose team lost 47-32 at Schaumburg on Nov. 28. "They forced us into some bad shots and we got impatient at times But I just loved our defensive effort."
Prospect led 4-0 with 4:39 left in the first quarter, thanks to a rebound layup by Linke and a fastbreak layup by Splinter which started with Linke's blocked shot. The Saxons answered with 7 unanswered points capped by a 3-pointer by Grace Schluckbier (10 points, 5 -of-6 free throws) from deep in the corner. Audrey Schluckbier added a pair of 3-pointers for Schaumburg later in the game.
Linke's 12-footer got Prospect to within 7-6 after one quarter.
The Knights gained momentum in the second quarter and took the lead when Splinter stole an inbounds pass and drove to the basket for a layup and 13-12 lead. The Knights extended the lead to 20-13 with a 3-pointer by freshman Maeve Johl. Jadaya Branch's driving layup got Schaumburg to within 20-15 at intermission.
Prospect's biggest lead in the second half was 23-17 after Zoe Black's fastbreak layup.
Schaumburg tied the game at 31 on two free throws by Symone Harrell (8 points, 6 in the fourth quarter) with 4:04 left. Skylar Splinter's free throw with 3:33 put the Knights in front 32-31 before Jevtic hit 2 free throws that made 33-32 with 2:27 left.
Jetvic's next 2 free throws with 8.7 seconds helped secure the Saxons' 11th regional title and first for Strauch whose team's 27 wins are second most in program history behind the 28 wins in 2008 under coach Bill Murmann, who was in the stands on Thursday.
""I think she (Strauch) really deserved to win a regional," Jevtic said. " I think she is one of the best coaches in the area and we are just thankful to have her."
And now her four children, who range from nine months to five years, can be thankful to have her around a lot more.
"I absolutely love doing this," said Strauch, whose brother-in-law Todd is the head coach at Conant where Jacqie and husband Adam's children will attend. "It just came to the point where I couldn't give the time to my kids that they deserve and it isn't fair to my players, either. My kids are starting to get more active now., too. It's crazy."
Just like the Saxons first regional in 11 years.
"What an amazing accomplishment for these girls," Strauch said. "A way to make something permanent in your history."