Girls basketball: Washington too much for St. Viator in Class 3A semifinal
Washington offered a good reason why it's the top-ranked team in Class 3A girls basketball, and star player Avery Tibbs displayed why she has scored more than 2,000 varsity points.
On Friday afternoon in Normal, the Panthers went on 8-0 runs at the start of the first and second quarters, then a 13-6 rally to begin the third en route to a 55-34 wire-to-wire triumph over St. Viator in the state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena.
“We just knew it was win or go home,” Tibbs told the IHSA TV broadcast after the McKendree University recruit equaled her scoring average of 20 points and collected 8 rebounds and 5 steals. “Last year after losing in the semifinal game and making the third-place game (won over Quincy Notre Dame), that was a feeling we never want to feel again. So whatever small part I can do for the team to help us win I'm just excited for tomorrow.”
On Saturday the highly regarded Panthers (34-2) will try for their first state title against Chatham Glenwood (29-5). St. Viator (22-15) will wrap up its first state finals appearance in the third-place game on Friday night.
“I feel like our team has accepted every challenge it has faced this season,” said Lions coach Kyle Braheny, who brought the Lions to Normal in only his third season. “They are a very good team, and I thought we gave a great effort the whole game.”
The Lions fell behind 8-0 in the game's first 1:45 but got to within 14-11 when senior Emily Walberg (6 points, 4 rebounds) scored on a breakaway layup just before the first-quarter buzzer. St. Viator's Class of 2026 valedictorian also hit a free throw and a 3-pointer in her own mini 6-0 run that got the Lions back from a 14-5 deficit.
But the Panthers got a fastbreak layup by Tibbs, a three-point play from Mazzy O'Brien and a steal and layup from Tibbs, who completed another three-point play for a 22-11 lead. St. Viator never got closer than 9 points the rest of the game.
Washington led 30-15 at halftime after a layup for sophomore Evelyn Hill (5 points, 2 rebounds) just before the buzzer sounded.
After sophomore Ava Garcia tossed in a 3-pointer to begin the second half, Washington went on a 13-3 run to take a commanding 43-21 lead with 2:34 left in the third period.
Valparaiso recruit Dani Guedet added 13 points and 4 rebounds for Washington, while freshman Kate Dougall had 10 points and 9 rebounds.
O'Brien contributed 7 points and 8 rebounds for the Panthers, who opened their season with a 67-25 win over Chatham Glenwood and also defeated Class 4A No. 1 Loyola 53-45 and Mid-Suburban League East runner-up Hersey 68-44.
One big difference in Saturday's game was the Panthers’ 14-of-16 shooting at the free-throw line, where St. Viator was 5-of-14.
Garcia, named to the IBCA all-state third team, led the Lions with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Junior Bella Gouranis had 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Senior Gabrielle Scaravalle grabbed 3 rebounds, while classmate Catherine Adamski had a pair of rebounds and 1 steal.
St. Viator's starting five for the semifinal included two sophomores and two juniors.
“We are learning with every game,” Braheny said. “And I know we'll come back stronger next season.”