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IHSA girls basketball state finals 2024: Predicting the Illinois state champions

Wes Huett, Peoria Journal Star
·10 min read

The IHSA girls basketball state finals return Thursday through Saturday at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

Six of the 16 state finalists ended the season unranked statewide in their class, so there are plenty of unlikely programs making rare finals appearances. Yet three top-ranked teams remain alive, so there is elite talent: 2A Notre Dame, 3A Lincoln and 4A Wilmette Loyola.

Below is what you need to know about each semifinal, top players, history — plus predictions from Gannett sports reporters across Illinois.

Local playoff scores: Peoria | Springfield | Rockford How to watch: Channel and stream info here

CLASS 1A

Illini Bluffs vs. Altamont, 9:30 a.m. Thursday

No. 6 Glasford Illini Bluffs (31-4)

  • Who to know: 5-10 sr. Lily Luczkowiak (19.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-6 sr. Annabelle Fortin (9.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.2 apg) and fourth-year coach Jim Belville (78-35).

  • What to know: Second state finals appearance and first since 2012, under coach Jim Robertson. Belleville was an assistant on that team. ... Has won 10 in a row and 15 of 16, the only loss in that stretch to Class 4A Pekin. ... Since 2018-19, the school's girls team sports have four state trophies in softball and one in volleyball.

No. 9 Altamont (27-6)

  • Who to know: 5-10 sr. Grace Nelson (29.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg), 5-8 sr. Peyton Osteen (7.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg), 6-0 so. Kaylee Lurkins (6.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and first-year coach Craig Carr.

  • What to know: First trip to the state finals since 1981. This will be the program's first trophy. ... Won 19 in a row before losing four of five games before the postseason began. ... Nelson is committed to Illinois State.

St. Bede vs. Okawville, 11:15 a.m. Thursday

Peru St. Bede (29-7)

  • Who to know: 6-0 sr. Ali Bosnich (16.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg), 6-0 jr. Ashlyn Ehm (8.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg), 5-7 sr. Ella Hermes (9.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.1 apg) and second-year coach Stephanie Mickley.

  • What to know: St. Bede's first state finals appearance. ... Has won 18 in a row and is unbeaten in the 2024 calendar year. ... St. Bede won nine games last season. ... The school's softball team is the defending Class 1A state champion.

No. 5 Okawville (23-11)

  • Who to know: 5-8 sr. Alayna Kraus (21.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 5-6 sr. Madisyn Wienstroer (8.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg), 5-8 so. Caroline Tepe (4.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and second-year coach Haylee Bowers (55-15 at Okawville and 100-55 overall including three seasons at Red Bud).

  • What to know: Okawville is the defending Class 1A champion. ... Kraus has alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. ... Lost six of nine games heading into the postseason, mostly against state-ranked competition. ... Won every playoff game by 12 or more points.

THIRD: 6:30 p.m. Thursday | TITLE: 11 a.m. Saturday

  • Adam Duvall's title pick: Illini Bluffs 38, Okawville 36

  • Wes Huett's title pick: Illini Bluffs 38, Okawville 35

  • Matt Trowbridge’s title pick: Illini Bluffs 47, Okawville 43

  • Jay Taft's title pick: Altamont 60, Okawville 51

  • Bill Welt's title pick: Illini Bluffs 40, Okawville 30

  • Ryan Mahan's title pick: Okawville 35, Illini Bluffs 31

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Teammates congratulate Peoria Notre Dame's Emy Wardle, middle, after drawing a foul on a successful layup against Rock Island-Alleman in the second half of their Class 2A girls basketball super-sectional Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 at Bureau Valley High School in Manlius. The Irish earned a berth in the state semifinals with a 55-39 win.
Teammates congratulate Peoria Notre Dame's Emy Wardle, middle, after drawing a foul on a successful layup against Rock Island-Alleman in the second half of their Class 2A girls basketball super-sectional Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 at Bureau Valley High School in Manlius. The Irish earned a berth in the state semifinals with a 55-39 win.

CLASS 2A

Regina Dominican vs. Peoria Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m. Thursday

Wilmette Regina Dominican (25-9)

  • Who to know: 5-7 so. Jillian DeFranza (10.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 5-6 so. Natalia Cerrado (7.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 5-9 so. Olivia Fraterrigo (7.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and eighth-year coach Bob Newton.

  • What to know: Third state finals appearance, all nearly two decades apart (1984, 2003). ... Newton has won 270 games in an 18-year career. This is his first 20-win season ... Like finals opponent Notre Dame, played a largely Class 3A and 4A schedule.

No. 1 Notre Dame (32-4)

  • Who to know: 5-8 sr. Mya Wardle (13.5 ppg, 6.9 apg), 6-1 so. Lexi Baer (11.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 5-6 jr. Julia Mingus (11.3 ppg), 5-11 jr. Kaitlin Cassidy (10.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 5-9 fr. Emy Wardle (8.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.4 apg) and seventh-year coach Layne Langholf.

  • What to know: Program's first state finals appearance since a quarterfinal loss to Chicago Marshall in 1994, under Cindy Clark. ... Won the Big 12 Conference, made up of mostly Class 3A and 4A programs ... Has won 16 of 17 games, the only loss in that stretch to 3A favorite Lincoln.

PATH TO TITLE: Can No. 1 Peoria Notre Dame win a girls basketball state title? Let's look at the path

Nashville vs. Robinson, 4:15 p.m. Thursday

No. 3 Nashville (32-3)

  • Who to know: 5-10 so. Emma Behrmann (13.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg), 5-11 fr. Summer Brinkmann (11.4 ppg), 5-11 fr. Samanthan Brinkmann (9.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.4 apg) and first-year coach Dempsey Witte.

  • What to know: First state appearance since legendary coach Wayne Harre led program to eight appearances between 2001 and 2013. ... Starts three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior. ... Only losses came vs. two 4A schools and 2A No. 2 Breese Central.

Robinson (28-5)

  • Who to know: 5-6 sr. Marisa Zane (18.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.1 apg), 5-10 sr. Elizabeth Shea (12.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 5-9 sr. Katelyn Jones (110. ppg, 5.7 rpg) and third-year coach Scott Zane.

  • What to know: The first state finals appearance for Robinson. ... has won 15 of 16 since a loss to 1A finalist Altamont on Dec. 29. ... Nashville and Robinson both defeated Fairfield this season.

THIRD: 7:45 p.m. Thursday | TITLE: 1 p.m. Saturday

  • Adam Duvall's title pick: Notre Dame 57, Nashville 41

  • Wes Huett's title pick: Notre Dame 55, Nashville 44

  • Matt Trowbridge’s title pick: Notre Dame 56, Nashville 50

  • Jay Taft's title pick: Notre Dame 66, Nashville 60

  • Bill Welt's title pick: Notre Dame 45, Nashville 33

  • Ryan Mahan's title pick: Notre Dame 51, Nashville 37

CLASS 3A

Glenwood vs. Hinsdale South, 9:30 a.m. Friday

Chatham Glenwood (27-7)

  • Who to know: 6-0 fr. Alexis Neumann (11.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg), 5-9 sr. Makenna Yeager (8.6 ppg), 5-7 fr. Ava Bobb (5.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and first-year coach Alyssa Riley.

  • What to know: Program's first state finals appearance. ... One of two Central State 8 teams in the 3A semifinals along with top-ranked Lincoln ... Opened calendar year with three losses by an average of 28.3 points, including a 54-20 loss to Lincoln. ... Riley spent the previous six seasons at Warrensburg-Latham.

Darien Hinsdale South (26-10)

  • Who to know: 6-0 sr. Amerie "Mimi" Flowers (15.3 ppg, 12.4 rpg), 5-7 sr. Amelia Lavorato (12.2 ppg, 4.5 apg), 5-10 so. Maeve Savage (8.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and sixth-year coach Scott Tanaka.

  • What to know: Program's first appearance at state since 1977 and will be its first trophy. ... Lost six of its final 10 games before the postseason. ... Flowers is committed to NCAA Division III Benedictine University.

Lincoln's Kloe Froebe, left, tries to poke the ball away from Morton's Paige Selke in the first half of their Class 3A girls basketball sectional championship Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at East Peoria High School. The Railsplitters advanced to the super-sectional with a 61-30 win.
Lincoln's Kloe Froebe, left, tries to poke the ball away from Morton's Paige Selke in the first half of their Class 3A girls basketball sectional championship Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at East Peoria High School. The Railsplitters advanced to the super-sectional with a 61-30 win.

Montini vs. Lincoln, 11:15 a.m. Friday

No. 4 Lombard Montini (29-7)

  • Who to know: 5-8 sr. Victoria Matulevicius (16.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.3 apg), 5-8 jr. Nicolette Kerstein (14.9 ppg, 5.9 apg), 5-9 sr. Alyssa Epps (8.2 ppg), 5-8 jr. Shea Carver (7.4 ppg) and fourth-year coach Shannon Spanos.

  • What to know: First state appearance since 2020, which capped a 13-year stretch with 10 state trophies including four championships. ... All seven losses came to 4A teams. ... Opened the playoffs with an 85-0 regional semifinal win over Chicago Alcott.

No. 1 Lincoln (36-0)

  • Who to know: 5-9 sr. Kloe Froebe (28.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.8 apg), 5-8 sr. Becca Heitzig (10.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.4 apg) and 12-year coach Taylor Rohrer.

  • What to know: Would be the first unbeaten state champ since Des Plaines Maine West (2018, 4A). ... Back at state after a 36-1 runner-up finish last season. ... Froebe is a Colorado State commit. ... One of two CS8 teams in the 3A finals, along with Glenwood.

THIRD: 6:30 p.m. Friday | TITLE: 5:30 p.m. Saturday

  • Adam Duvall's title pick: Lincoln 63, Hinsdale Central 39

  • Wes Huett's title pick: Lincoln 64, Hinsdale South 42

  • Matt Trowbridge’s title pick: Lincoln 48, Glenwood 44

  • Jay Taft's title pick: Montini 71, Hinsdale South 52

  • Bill Welt's title pick: Lincoln 60, Glenwood 45

  • Ryan Mahan's title pick: Lincoln 73, Glenwood 45

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CLASS 4A

Waubonsie Valley vs. Nazareth, 2 p.m. Friday

Aurora Waubonsie Valley (32-3)

  • Who to know: 5-7 so. Danyella Mporokoso (19.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 6-0 sr. Hannah Laub (12.9 ppg), 5-4 so. Arianna Garcia (8.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.6 apg) and seventh-year coach Brett Love.

  • What to know: First state appearance since 1999. Will be its first trophy. ... Love previously coached 3A finalist Hinsdale South. ... Lost to Nazareth in the final game of the regular season, 59-35. Other losses were to 4A finalist Palatine Fremd and St. Charles East.

No. 5 LaGrange Park Nazareth (31-3)

  • Who to know: 5-9 sr. Amalia Dray (12.5 ppg), 6-0 sr. Olivia Austin (11.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 6-1 so. Stella Sakalas (11.4 ppg), 6-1 sr. Danielle Scully (6.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.5 apg) and eighth-year coach Eddie Stritzel.

  • What to know: Playing up in 4A after winning the 3A title last season. ... Combined 99-7 record over the last three seasons. ... Dray is committed to play soccer at Boston College. ... Austin is committed to play at Dartmouth.

Peoria High's Aaliyah Guyton, middle, and Danielle Ruffin, right, pressure Nazareth Academy's Amalia Dray in the second half of the Class 3A state semifinals Friday, March 3, 2023 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Lions ultimately fell to the Roadrunners 48-35.
Peoria High's Aaliyah Guyton, middle, and Danielle Ruffin, right, pressure Nazareth Academy's Amalia Dray in the second half of the Class 3A state semifinals Friday, March 3, 2023 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Lions ultimately fell to the Roadrunners 48-35.

Loyola Academy vs. Fremd, 3:45 p.m. Friday

No. 1 Wilmette Loyola Academy (36-0)

  • Who to know: 5-6 jr. Aubrey Galvan (16.5 ppg, 3.4 apg), 5-8 sr. Paige Engels (14.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.4 apg), 5-6 so. Clare Weasler (7.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and 16th-year coach Jeremy Schoenecker.

  • What to know: Trying to join Lincoln this season as an unbeaten state champ — the first since Des Plaines Maine West in 2018. ... Engels is a Cornell commit. ... Second state appearance (2012) since three straight from 1997-99, which includes two state titles. ... Defeated Fremd, 48-46, on Dec. 12.

No. 9 Palatine Fremd (29-6)

  • Who to know: 6-0 jr. Ella Todd (16.0 ppg), 6-2 sr. Brynn Eshoo (12.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 5-11 jr. Coco Urlacher (10.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and 18th-year coach Dave Yates.

  • What to know: Program's fifth trip to the state finals over the last decade. Won the title in 2020. ... Yates has won 424 games for Fremd. ... Todd is a Utah commit and Eshoo a Portland commit. ... Three of its six losses came to out-of-state opponents. Also lost to 2A No. 1 Peoria Notre Dame, 70-63, on Dec. 30.

THIRD: 8:45 p.m. Friday | TITLE: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

  • Adam Duvall's title pick: Loyola 47, Nazareth 44

  • Wes Huett's title pick: Nazareth 62, Loyola 60

  • Matt Trowbridge’s title pick: Loyola 58, Nazareth 53

  • Jay Taft's title pick: Nazareth 58, Loyola 56

  • Bill Welt's title pick: Nazareth 56, Loyola 50

  • Ryan Mahan's title pick: Nazareth 62, Loyola 58

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Expert predictions and outlook for 2024 IHSA girls basketball state finals