By Dominic Scianna

Head Coach Andre Lewis and his Lady Broncos of Kenwood Academy had an interesting Illinois High School Association (IHSA) post season girls basketball tournament run. 

They were able to turn the tables in their favor Tuesday by defeating Whitney Young 57-52 in the state tournament after losing to the Lady Dolphins in the CPL City Championship game on February 10.

The win would prove costly, however, after a post-game incident on the court between both teams would lead to suspensions for two Kenwood players in the next state playoff contest. Those suspended players would be unavailable on February 22nd for the IHSA Sectional Final matchup versus defending Class 3A champion Nazareth Academy.

The Roadrunners of Nazareth would win in a tight battle in their Sectional Championship victory over Kenwood 50-37 at Mother McAuley High School ending the Broncos’ season.

“We had to circle the wagons and go to work in spite of what happened and play the hand we were dealt,” Lewis said. “That was an unfortunate incident that occurred (after the Whitney Young game) and it’s tough playing without those two (starters), but I hope that we can grow from it and have more poise in the future.

“They (Nazareth) deserved to win today and played very well, but we hung in there for most of the game and I’m very proud of my team.”

Kenwood was led in scoring by the tandem of junior Ariella Henigan and sophomore Danielle Brooks, who both tallied 14 points each in the loss to Nazareth. Junior Icesis Thomas also pitched in with six points for the Broncos.

“One of the things we emphasized was coming out hard and fast in our scouting report for the Nazareth game and I think we did that,” said Thomas. “They capitalized on our turnovers in the second half and went on a run – that was the difference.”

The Roadrunners of Nazareth, coached by Ed Stritzel, won their 30th game of the year and are defending Class 3A champions who have moved up to Class 4A this year. They used a suffocating defense to stifle Kenwood outscoring the Broncos 20-10 in the second quarter to take a 27-23 lead into intermission. That was followed by a 10-3 advantage in the pivotal fourth quarter that led to the victory.

Sophomore Stella Sakalas led the Roadrunners with 15 points assisted by a senior-laden veteran core of Olivia Austin (14 points) and Amalia Dray (12 points) in leading a balanced scoring attack in the win.

“Kenwood played very well and came prepared. I have the utmost respect for them,” said Austin. “Playing in these tight games helps us and shows us how talented every team is in Class 4A and how every game might be our last.”

For Kenwood, this senior graduating class went 35-0 in CPL conference games and won four consecutive conference titles in a row in the process – something no Kenwood team has ever done in program history.

“We got better as the year went on and we have a good group coming back next year. Plus, we have two seniors who will be playing basketball in college next year, and two with academic scholarships, so I’m very proud of them and what they’ve accomplished at Kenwood,” noted Lewis.

Thomas is raring to go for next year and will use this defeat as her driving motivation in the offseason. 

“I’m going to use this as motivation to get in the gym and work on my game because I don’t want us to end the season like this next year.”