Girls basketball notes: St. Edward joins list of holiday champions

The list of holiday tournament championship winners included several area powers — Benet Academy, Naperville Central, Waubonsie Valley, Glenbard West, and St. Edward.

At Lisle, St. Edward repeated as holiday tournament champions in resounding fashion, opening with decisive victories over Walther Christian (78-19) and Lemont (50-29).

In the semifinals, the Green Wave defeated Resurrection, 65-50, behind a 33-point performance from all-state junior guard Savannah Lynch. Senior Jordin Sauls chipped in with 12 points.

St. Edward returned home with the title trophy following a 54-35 triumph over Evergreen Park on Dec. 30.

Senior forward Sanaii McPherson, a transfer from Larkin, surpassed a high school milestone with her 1,000th career point on the way to being named to the all-tournament team.

“Sanaii is an extremely valuable player,” said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson, who guided the Green Wave to a fourth-place Class 1A state finish last season. “She has a calming presence on the court that keeps her teammates locked in. Along with Jordin Sauls and Ginger Younger, she brings communication and senior leadership to our team.”

Lynch earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors for the Green Wave, who received contributions from senior guard Younger, junior guard Sarah Gurley, junior forward Taylor Dawson, and Sauls.

Dawson beefed up her team’s schedule, which included early season matchups against state-ranked Class 4A St. Charles North and perennial small school powers Stillman Valley and Rockford Lutheran.

While the Green Wave lost all 3 games — two by 3 points each, they quickly rebounded with their title-winning effort at Lisle.

“Playing a tough schedule is crucial to us improving and performing at a high level,” said the coach. “We are learning hot to battle through adversity, play to our strengths, make in-game adjustments, and pick up our defensive intensity.”

St. Edward (10-6), which stretched its winning streak to 6 with Saturday’s 70-26 victory over Woodstock, should return to full strength later this month.

“We expect to have Layne (Dawson) back in the next 1-2 weeks,” said the coach. “Sarah Gurley and Taylor Dawson have done a tremendous job stepping up in her absence. They have been key contributors both on offense and defense.”

Benet Academy (13-1) captured the Montini Christmas Tournament title with a 59-38 victory over Marist on Dec. 27.

Senior forward Emma Briggs, who earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors, led the Redwings with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 steals, while all-tournament team senior teammate Sailer Jones added 12 points and 3 steals.

Supported by senior guards Ava Thomas, Bridget Rifenburg, and junior guard Ava Mersnger, Benet Academy earned its second consecutive tourney title at Montini.

Since dropping their season opener, 54-53, to Lyons Township, the Redwings have won 13 consecutive games, including Monday’s 47-37 victory over Marist.

Naperville Central (13-3) senior Trinity Jones scored 35 of her game-high 40 points in the second half, as the Redhawks rallied from a 22-point deficit to edge Maine South, 77-74, in the championship clash at the 42nd Komaromy Classic at Dundee-Crown.

Trailing 62-40 late in the third quarter, the Redhawks closed the game with a 37-12 surge, taking control late.

The Clemson-bound Jones added 12 rebounds and 3 steals, supported by senior Erin Hackett (20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), and Annabelle Kritzer (13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists).

Hackett (1,678 points) passed Naperville Central Hall of Famer Erica Carter (1,664 points) for third on the school’s career scoring list.

The all-tournament team included Hackett and Kritzer; Maggie Frank and Allie Gogola of third-place Lake Park; Huntley’s Aubrina Adamik and Luca Garlin; St. Charles North’s Sydney Johnson and Bronwyn How; and Hampshire’s Mikala Amegasse.

At Wheaton North, Waubonsie Valley (16-0) captured its third straight Bill Neibch Holiday Classic with a 70-40 triumph over Glenbrook South — the Warriors’ second victory in 29 days over the Titans.

Senior guard Danyella Mporokoso, who averaged 27.5 points in 4 games, earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Mporokoso finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds in the title game.

All-tournament team members Ari Garcia and Maya Pereda led the Warriors with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Pereda connected on a team-high five 3-pointers.

Senior guard Elliana Morris added 11 points, while senior center Taylnn Heard had 8 points and 11 rebounds.

Waubonsie began the 2026 portion of its season with a 74-41 homecourt victory over Plainfield North (10-7) last Saturday behind Mporokoso’s 32 points and 8 rebounds. Garcia added 26 points and 13 boards.

Glenbard West (16-1) captured the inaugural Fox River Classic, hosted by Batavia and Geneva, with a 52-35 victory over St. Ignatius. Junior forward Ellie Noble earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors for the Hilltoppers, who went 4-0 with additional wins over Morris (67-43), Batavia (52-34), and Hersey (51-50).

Junior guard Katie Meehan earned all-tournament second team honors.

Supported by Lily Hubbuch and Nina Hendricksen, the Hilltoppers carried a 9-game winning streak into the week.

York (7-6) claimed the consolation crown with a 42-36 victory over Geneva (5-10).

Batavia (4-13) split a pair of games during its Florida trip last weekend, defeating Keys Gate, 48-37, behind Ali Thomas’ 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Last Saturday, the Bulldogs suffered a 49-35 loss to Lincoln Park Academy despite 11 points and 7 rebounds from Sidnee Justice.

Lincoln Park Academy is ranked Florida’s No. 6 team in Class 3A, while Keys Gate is No. 21.