Girls basketball: Loyola’s pressure too much for Maine South in sectional setback
With two minutes, 24 seconds to play and both teams at their benches during a timeout, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” blared over the loudspeakers at Maine South.
Sure, Maine South trailed top-seeded Loyola Academy 42-32, but for a team built on resiliency and toughness, no lead seemed insurmountable.
Just two nights ago, the same Hawks team triumphed over Lane Tech, despite trailing by double digits in the contest.
Thursday night in Park Ridge, however, the magic ran out for South (25-9), as a remarkable season culminated with a 48-32 defeat at the hands of the visiting Ramblers (32-2), who earned a 4A sectional title with the victory.
“I said it all season long, I absolutely love this team,” said Hawks coach Jeff Hamann. “I love their grit. I love their perseverance. I love that they love each other. Congratulations to Loyola, they are fantastic and as advertised. In the end, tonight wasn’t our night. We needed a ball to go in the basket and it didn’t, but a lot of that was their defense.”
A packed house threatened to blow the roof off the gym early in the first, as a pair of three-pointers from junior guard Hayden Fahy helped propel the Hawks to an early 8-5 lead.
With 2:40 to play in the opening frame, Loyola took its first advantage on a Michaela Burm layup. From there, a combination of size and relentless defensive pressure enveloped the home team, as the Ramblers used a 17-0 run to open up a 22-10 lead midway through the second quarter.
“I just kept stressing to them, if you can limit the runs and hold them to what we did, we’re in good shape,” said Loyola coach Jeremy Schoenecker.
Early in the third, Fahy received a pass from senior Amelia Fernandez, stepped back, and buried a left-wing three. Two possessions later, Addie Kopf found Fahy alone on the opposite wing. Nothing but net.
The last of four triples on the night for Fahy, who finished with a team-high 16 points, brought the crowd near its crescendo.
As time waned on Maine South’s chances, fourth-quarter buckets by Kopf and junior sharpshooter Phoebe O’Shea left the potential for a miracle.
Tonight, however, it was not meant to be, as the Hawks were unable to significantly chip away at the Ramblers’ lead.
“I tell them, obviously besides coming home to my family, they are the best part of my day,” Hamann said. “Being able to see them, see their smiles, the love that they have for each other, makes me a better person. I’m going to miss that about them. They’re a connected group. They’re a fun group. They put a smile on your face every single day.”