Fenwick advanced to the Elite Eight of the IHSA Class AA Girls’ Basketball State tournament for the fifth time in six years without having to dribble a ball at the Illinois-Chicago Supersectional I scheduled to be played at the UIC Pavilion on Monday night.
The Friars (33-2) walked away with a 2-0 victory due to Harlan’s last minute forfiet. According to the IHSA, Harlan (24-6) was ruled ineligible for violating Season Limitation By-Law 5.182, which states that a team is allowed only a certain number of games during the regular season.
Fenwick head coach Dave Power told reporters Monday night he was baffled after learning of the forfiet.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I’ve been coaching almost 30 years and had never heard of this happening at this level.”
Harlan was reported to have played two games over the allottment for the regular season.
The Friars, who won the State title in the 2000-2001 season and finished third in the finals last year, will take on Peoria Richwoods in the State quarterfinals on Friday (noon) at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena in Normal.
Friars edge rival Trinity
Fenwick came away with its fifth sectional title in six years by edging neighboring rival Trinity 69-61 on Thursday night in the Lyons Township Sectional title game.
“Trinity is a tremendous rivalry. We have sisters on each team. We have best friends on each team,” said Fenwick head coach Dave Power after the intense game last week. “You throw out all the records.
“This was a great effort on our girls’ part. Our team responded well and our bench play was superb. It was a real battle out there, physical but clean, hard basketball.”
Fenwick came out on fire offensively, shooting near perfect. The Friars went on a 9-0 run, and it looked as if the game was going to be over in a hurry. They led 17-9 at the end of the first period, but Trinity’s defense clamped down in the second.
The Blazers managed a 6-0 run to pull within two before Fenwick roared back. The half ended with Fenwick in the lead 32-26. Both Alison Jackson for the Friars and Lykendra Johnson for the Blazers had eight points apiece at the break.
Fenwick got a bucket to start the second half, but the momentum shifted Trinity’s way on the inside play of Toni Carter and Johnson. The pair helped Trinity to a 9-0 run to tie the game at 35.
Fenwick’s Brittanny Johnson, Devereaux Peters and Alison Jackson were ready, willing, and able to answer for the Friars and quickly took the lead back. The Friars held a flimsy four-point lead at the end of the third.
When the last period started, it was anyone’s game. Trinity tried to close the gap, but was forced to foul to stop the clock. But the Friars scored 14 points straight at the free-throw line to close out the win.
Jackson finished with 18 points for Fenwick.
“I’m proud of us. I think we were a little shaky, but we overcame it,” said the sophomore after the game.
Brittanny Johnson was not far behind with 17 points. Andrea DiCanio, who actually played on Trinity team last year, went 6-for-6 from the line and finished with nine points for the Friars.
“I’m sad that they lost, but excited at the same time that I could come through for my team,” said DiCanio. “I knew the whole game would be tough. We made our free throws, and that is what won the game for us.”
Lykendra Johnson finished with a second consecutive double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds (see Trinity story page 76).
Toni Carter had 13 and Tonesha Members 12 for the Blazers, who closed out the season with an overall record of 22-11.
Brad Spencer contributed to this report.
OPRF
Friday, Feb. 25
Boys b-ball 53, Proviso West 44
Wednesday, Feb. 23
Girls Track 85, Lyons 80
Tuesday, Feb. 22
Boys track 118, first place
Fenwick
Monday, Feb. 28
Girls b-ball 2, Harlan 0 (forfeit)
Saturday, Feb. 26
Swimming 33, 13th place (State)
Rockton (Hononegah) 26, Wrestling 22
Friday, Feb. 25
Boys b-ball 49, Mt. Carmel 45
Thursday, Feb. 24
Girls b-ball 69, Trinity 61
Trinity
Thursday, Feb. 24
Fenwick 69, Basketball 61
Tuesday, Feb. 22
Basketball 58, Riverside-Brookfield 44
(Blazers: Lykendra Johnson 14 pts, 13 rbs, 3 steals, 2 blks; Alison Sansone 13 pts; Katie Jarger 10 pts; Toni Carter 11 pts)
