3 reasons why Peoria Notre Dame is favored to return to the IHSA girls basketball state finals

NORMAL — Is it possible that we see Peoria Notre Dame versus Nashville, Round II in 2025?

Of course, that’s a long way off, but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. A quick glance at the returning starters — Nashville with all five expected to return, and PND boasting four potentially back — and it’s easy to see why a repeat of the 2024 Class 2A girls basketball state championship game could happen.

Anyone who witnessed the thrilling 48-46 last-second victory by the Irish would likely be willing to watch these two teams face off again.

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Here are three reasons Peoria Notre Dame could once again be state champions next season:

1. PND has four returning starters

Juniors Kaitlin Cassidy and Julia Mingus, along with sophomore Lexi Baer and freshman Emy Wardle should all find themselves back in the lineup for 2024-25. There should be no question this core group of players has the talent and ability to make another run.

“We have (another) year, next year,” Cassidy said. “It’s going to be a fun ride. I don’t think we’re near to close to being done at all.”

One huge hole to fill is the loss of senior starter Mya Wardle. The 5-foot-7 point guard, who will head off to Eastern Kentucky, brought so many on-the-court strengths as well as the little intangibles coaches love.

She, however, says she’s passing the proverbial torch to some very close.

“I’m the leaving program in the best place,” Wardle said. “There’s no one else I trust than Emy Wardle and it was shown (in the state title game).

“What makes me the best as a point guard is having these girls feel like they can do it by themselves next year.”

Emy is ready and willing to pick up the slack.

“I know that I’m going to try and fill that leadership role next year," Emy said. "She’s prepared me the most for that. Obviously, we’ll still have a solid, solid team, so we’re definitely not too worried, but losing Mya will be huge.”

So, who is a possibility to fill that spot left by Mya?

Emy seems to be the natural fit to slide over and take on the ballhandling duties. Not much will change in the way of Cassidy, Mingus or Baer, so this means junior reserve Alli Stickelmaier or freshman Cora Heinz will likely be battling it out for that fifth spot.

2. PND will likely be in Class 2A again

This was the Irish’s first season in Class 2A, avoiding the local Class 3A sectional gauntlet that included eventual state champ Lincoln. Since PND is a private school, they are subject to the “success factor.”

The Illinois High School Association implemented this rule to "level the playing field" between public and private schools, meaning any non-boundaried school that wins two state trophies in a four-year span is then bumped up a class the following year.

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Talk, though, around this past weekend’s state finals was the IHSA board of directors is looking to possibly change that rule. A newly formed edict would move state-title winning private schools up a class as soon as the following school year.

Let’s be clear: This has not been implemented and may not ever be changed from its current rules, but there are some serious conversations being held about sweeping changes to the success factor.

3. Strength of schedule

PND proved time and time again that they are willing to play the best teams.

The Irish got a memorable meeting against Lincoln at Bradley’s Renaissance Coliseum and entering the always-difficult Morton College Tournament over the holidays. Opponents like that helped PND become more and more battle-tested as the season progressed.

“Kids are going to want to come play for us in the area,” Langholf said. “It’s not me. It’s kids that come and watch this, see this kind of atmosphere and see we’ll play anybody, anywhere.”

Some of those 34 wins this season included beating the following teams:

• Class 4A: State third-place finisher Palatine Fremd, sectional finalist Normal Community

• Class 3A: Sectional finalists Morton and River Forest Trinity, sectional semifinalist Mahomet-Seymour

• Class 2A: State runner-up Nashville, state fourth-place finisher Wilmette Regina Dominican, Elite Eight participants Rock Island Alleman and Camp Point Central/Southeastern, sectional finalist Deer Creek-Mackinaw, sectional semifinalists Canton, Paris and Bloomington Central Catholic.

• Class 1A: State fourth-place finisher St. Bede.

Fully expect another rough and tough slate next season for the Irish.

“I love where the program’s at,” Langholf said. “It’s taken some time.”

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA basketball: Analysis of Peoria Notre Dame title chances in 2025