Prep sports round-up for Feb. 25, 2024

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Two area girls basketball teams are set to play in super-sectional games on Monday.

Notre Dame will play Rock Island Alleman in the class 2A super-sectional at Manlius. The Irish, who are ranked No.1 in class 2A, are looking for their first ever trip to the state finals.

“They got the job done in those big games and it is setting up to be another huge game on Monday,” said Notre Dame head coach Layne Langholf of his player. “It’ll probably be a huge crowd. Alleman has been a great program over the years since I’ve been here.”

Illini Bluffs plays Galena in the class 1A super-sectional at Brimfield. IB beat third-ranked Annawan in the sectional semifinal and now face No. 1 Galena for the right to advance to state.

“It’s really hard to imagine that we are one win away (from state),” said senior forward Lily Luczkowiak. “Honestly, even though they are ranked No. 1, it doesn’t rally bother me. Numbers are really meaningless at this point.”

Washington is still buzzing over winning its second consecutive state wrestling championship Saturday. The Panthers rallied to beat Lombard Montini, 30-28, to capture the class 2A dual meet state title.

Sophomore heavyweight Sean Thornton won the final match of the night by a 6-4 score to give the Panthers the winning team points.

“We heard this week that the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the state were wrestling in the same sectional. It’s a tough draw, we’ve been there before,” said Washington head coach Nick Miller. “I was listening to the broadcast. They said it’s unfortunate that the state championship is happening hereon Tuesday night in the sectional. I thought, I’m not going to say anything to my guys but whoa! Washington has something to say about that.”

Washington has won six state wrestling titles since 2016.

And Prairie Central’s Chloe Hoselton hopes her girls state wrestling title is an inspiration to other girls who are thinking about sampling her sport. The Illinois High School Association added a girls wrestling state series three years ago.

“Believe in yourself. You have to know that you can (wrestle),” said Hoselton. “Just go to a practice near you. Go try it and have fun.”

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