Johnsburg ends it for Hohenadel, St. Viator

What a setting Monday night for St. Viator senior guard Susan Hohenadel to reach a career milestone that most girls basketball players can only dream about.

With a near-capacity crowd in the Cahill Gymnasium cheering for the host Lions and Johnsburg Skyhawks in a Class 3A sectional semifinal game, Hohenadel hit a 3-pointer late in the first half for an 18-14 lead.

That bucket made her only second girl (the other was Denise Walker) in school history to reach 1,000 career points.

After the game, the four-year starter said it felt like her four-year career went by in the blink of an eye.

It also seemed like a blink of the eye that the Lions had cut Johnsburg's 14-point lead to 4 points with 1:32 remaining.

But on this night, the Skyhawks had enough in reserve and pulled away again for a 53-41 victory in Arlington Heights.

The Skyhawks (24-9) advanced to Thursday's championship against Regina (8-23), which is coached by veteran Jim Russo. He is assisted by longtime Hall of Fame Fremd coach Carol Plodzien.

"I can't believe it's over," said Hohenadel (team-high 15 points, 2 3-pointers) after the Lions completed one of their most successful seasons this decade with a 21-11 record and first regional title since 2002. "We worked so hard and exceeded everyone's expectations. And to win a regional was something not many people thought we could do."

The Lions almost won a sectional semifinal.

They trailed 43-29 with 4:24 left and went on 12-2 run.

Megan McGrath had a steal and layup and a putback during the dramatic rally which culminated with a 3-pointer by Taylor Skala making it 45-41 with 1:29 left.

But the Skyhawks scored the game's final 8 points, converting 6 free throws and getting a short bank shot from Chandler Sommerfeldt as time expired.

Two of those free throws were by senior Danielle Slivka (University of Wisconsin-Parkside recruit), which also gave her 1,000 for her career.

Skyhawk teammate Melissa Dixon, a crafty junior guard, led the winners with a game-high 24 points, 9 in the third quarter when Johnsburg outscored the hosts 20-6.

"We played with a lot more energy in the second half," said Dixon, whose team trailed 20-17 at half.

"We came back at the end," said Lions senior Ronnie Mack who tossed in 12 points. "We made a great run. We played great defense."

"Everyone played so hard," said Lions co-captain and four-year varsity member Mary Calov (5 points, including a 3-pointer). "As long as everyone played as hard as they could, I don't mind losing."

The seven seniors were all winners in the mind of Lions coach Paul Bjerkness's mind.

"Susan (Hohenadel, a Rockhurst University recruit) had a nice four years and this was great accomplishment for her," Bjerkness said. "These seniors on this team did an outstanding job. Obviously, Susan and Mary (Calov) had a terrific four years and our other five seniors (Mack, Meghan Malone, McGrath, Bridget Urbanus and Eileen Mazanek) were all tough quality players, too.

Despite missing its first 10 shots and turning al over si x times, St. Viator trailed only 7-4 when Mack made a nice fake and drive for layup for Viator's first basket.

"Playing on their home floor was a concern," said Johnsburg coach Mike Toussaint, whose team took third pace over Prospect in the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic in late December. "St. Viator is a good team. Their balance concerned us. All their players can shoot and drive to the basket. They're like mirror images of each other."

Bjerkness gave all the credit to Johnsburg.

"That's a great team," he said. "They are well-coached and have tough kids. They capitalized on some of our mistakes. But we kept fighting. We got it down to 4 points at the end and had a timeout left."

But Johnsburg had a timely run of free throws and put themselves in a Class 3A sectional title game for the third straight year.