Girls basketball notes: Batavia, Geneva team up for new Christmas tournament; IC’s Hilgart reaches 1,000 points

Whether it is on the football field, basketball/volleyball court, baseball/softball diamond, or in any other sport, Batavia and Geneva are the fiercest of rivals.

According to Google maps, approximately 4.8 miles separate the two schools.

However, the two schools have joined forces to form the Fox River Classic, a 16-team girls basketball tournament held over the upcoming holidays.

The inaugural Fox River Classic is scheduled for Dec. 22-23, 26-27, with the first two rounds hosted by Geneva, while the final two rounds will take place at Batavia — championship and third-place games scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27.

“We have been working on this for nearly two years,” said Batavia coach Kevin Jensen. “We could not get it set up in time to run last year, so Geneva headed back to Montini for a year, and Batavia traveled to Loyola.

“As soon as those tournaments ended last season, we began planning this year’s (Fox River Classic) tournament. The intention all along was to create a 16-team bracketed tournament. We did not want to run a tournament without 16 teams.”

That became one of the toughest parts, according to Jensen.

“Finding 16 teams was challenging at times,” he said. “Schools are hesitant to commit to a tournament in its first year. However, Sarah (Geneva coach Meadows) and I started talking to schools two years ago, which made it a little easier.

“We even have a couple schools that did not participate this year but are interested for next year.”

Ten of the 16 teams own .500 or better records heading into this week’s action.

Monday’s first-round matchups include Hersey vs. York (9 a.m.), Lake Zurich vs. Yorkville (10:30 a.m.), Glenbard West vs. Morris (noon), Naperville North vs. Batavia (1:30 p.m.), Rockford Guilford vs. Oswego East (3:30 p.m.), St. Ignatius vs. Lincoln-Way Central (5 p.m.), Lockport vs. DeKalb (6:30 p.m.), and Peoria-Notre Dame vs. Geneva (8 p.m.).

“I am super excited about this,” said Meadows. “And I am excited to not be on the road (or not for very long) for Christmas. We have been going to Montini and Morton for a very long time.”

Batavia and Geneva participated in the Morton College Christmas Tournament four years ago until it disbanded two years ago, leaving the schools stuck looking for new tournaments.

With Batavia already hosting a 16-team lower-level (freshman and sophomore) tourney on Dec. 22-23, “teaming up with Geneva was imperative to making all this work,” said Jensen. “Several schools are participating at all three levels.”

So much for those Batavia-Geneva feud rumors.

“I honestly get along with everyone in our conference,” said Meadows. “We compete hard on the court and sometimes get annoyed with each other, but life is bigger than basketball.”

“The hope is to run this tournament for many years to come, and to continue to grow this tournament to include state powers every single year,” said Jensen.

IC Catholic’s Hilgart reaches career milestone

December ninth will always be a special day for IC Catholic Prep girls basketball standout Mary Kate Hilgart.

Three years ago as a freshman, Hilgart scored her first varsity points during the Knights’ 68-31 victory over Tinley Park.

Last week, Hilgart reached a major milestone when she scored the 1,000th point of her 4-year career with a basket in the third quarter of the Knights’ 55-32 road triumph over Rosary.

The date — you guessed it — Dec. 9.

The 5-foot-9 forward has been an important part of the Knights’ success — the team reached the Class 2A sectional finals the past two years, losing both times to Chicago Public League power Phillips.

“A lot has been asked of her, and she has risen to the challenges,” said Knights coach Todd Fisher.

Hilgart, who earned Illinois High School Basketball Coaches Association Class 2A all-state honorable mention recognition as a sophomore and junior, has also been a GCAC all-conference selection the past two seasons.

“Mary Kate was named as a captain in both her junior and senior years,” said Fisher. “She plays significant minutes and some games plays without a break.

“She has consistently been one of our leading scorers throughout her career while being near the top of opponents’ scouting reports. She has often been asked to guard the opposing team’s top player, while not affecting her overall game.”

Hilgart is regarded as an all-around player for the Knights, who own a 3-5 mark this season.

“Not only can she score, but she is one of our better passers and rebounders,” said the coach. “Offensively, she can shoot the three, but she can also get to the basket. She’s a tough player who absorbs hard fouls to get to the free-throw line.”

Since being called up to the varsity team as a freshman, Hilgart has never left the starting lineup.

“She’s very coachable,” said Fisher. “She does what is asked of her and gives 100% all the time. It has been a privilege having the opportunity to coach her.

“She’s a three-sport student-athlete who represents IC Catholic Prep not only in athletics but also is very active in nonathletic, school extracurricular activities.”