What did we learn from girls sectionals and boys regionals in basketball?
Let’s start with the girls.
Stillman Valley and Rock Island Alleman appear to have developed a rivalry, as the Pioneers knocked off SV twice, first at the Dixon Holiday Tournament final, and in the sectional final.
Last year, it was SV disposing of Alleman in the regional final, with all three games within a few points of each other. Both programs match up well and we will likely see more of the same into the future.
After losing a back-and-forth regional championship to Woodstock Marian in overtime, Byron did not reach the sectional. Still, they will be a force next year.
Besides reaching the sectional final, congratulations to coach SV Bobby Mellon for picking up his 200th win.
What about Rockford Lutheran? In the IHSA’s classification system for private schools, they have been 3A, 2A and this year down to 1A. It’s all too confusing for me to research whether or not they will be 2A again or stay in 1A.
In the most interesting of the 1A sectional finals, the Crusaders lost to No. 1-ranked Galena 46-30. Many observers felt Galena’s claim as No. 1 team in the state was in jeopardy with big, bad Lutheran from the BNC dropping down to 1A.
Not so, as the Pirates dominated play. In what may have been a mild upset, Galena (31-2) then lost to Illini Bluffs (30-4) at the super-sectional. That makes defending state champ Okawville as the favorite to win 1A.
The Big Northern had a girls sectional finalist in 1A, 2A and 3A, a rare feat to be represented in that many divisions. The only one left standing was Dixon, who made it all the way to the super-sectional before getting mauled by 3A terror Lincoln, perhaps the best team in all of Illinois.
In boys action, there were a lot of regional semifinal upsets, with Polo over Newman, Morrison the same to Rock Falls and Lena-Winslow knocking off Scales Mound. Coming into the season, Scales Mound had been ranked No. 2 in the state for 1A.
The only certainties were Byron and Pecatonica, who rolled their competition in regional play. Ironically, both appear destined for sectional finals with teams they lost to by nearly identical (79-71, 77-71) scores in the regular season, even though both will be favored to win those rematches.
For 2A Byron, it will be a chance to get back at Rockford Christian, who prevented the Tigers from being undefeated league champs. But, with all the upsets in the post season, they need to get there first.
Likewise, with Pecatonica in 1A. They come in as sectional favorites and also the local team with the most clear-cut path to state.
Even though Polo lost in the regional finals to Eastland, the Marcos were right there in it, grabbing a 22-8 lead. But, of any one sport, basketball in a game of runs and 16 straight points by Eastland spelled doom.
Earlier this year, coach Matt Messer told me his team was hurt by lulls like this. Unfortunately, it carried over at the worst possible time.
None-the-less, under Messer, Polo continues to get as much out of the talent it has as any program around. The Marcos blend quite well together.
Listening to the Newman-Polo game on the radio, it also appeared Polo might fold after taking control early. Newman did regain the lead, but sparked by Carter Merdian refusing to allow his senior season to end, the Marcos came back to life for the win.
Much has been said about Catholic schools losing athletic prowess and I wonder if Newman is being affected by this? This year, traditionally-strong football and basketball programs bowed out quite early in the playoffs.
Perhaps the retirement of long-time Coach and Athletic Director Mike Papoccia has hurt athletic prospects.
Mention was made of Polo having all these consecutive 20-win seasons. What Newman has done might be more impressive.
Under one of the best-prepared coaches in the business, Ray Sharp, the Comets have won 20 or more games in 11 of the past 12 full years of basketball.
Andy Colbert is a longtime Ogle County resident with years of experience covering sports and more for multiple area publications.
