By Joseph Gelman
Family, community and pride were the main emotions of the Phillips Lady Wildcats as they made their first-ever trip to the IHSA State Semifinals, with a great contingent of fans and supporters rooting them on at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Illinois.
While Phillips was without its starting point guard Daija Cohen, and lost Akyla Williams to an injury early in the game, the Wildcats continued to battle and found contributions from many other players as they took on Nashville Community High School.
While Phillips put up a tough battle, the squad ultimately fell to the Hornettes 60-32.
Senior Nakiyah Williams was the shining star for the Lady Wildcats, totaling 17 points, coming in second out of all scorers in the game behind Nashville’s Summer Brinkmann, who finished with 18 points.
“Today I had to step up, “ Williams said. “ I know that a lot of my teammates, they counted on me, I tried my best.”
While Phillips came up just short of their goal, you wouldn’t know it talking to the players and coaches during postgame. Emotions were flowing during the press conference but it was all with a sense of passion and pride of what they had accomplished and what they can continue to accomplish this season and beyond.
“It wasn’t a surprise (we were down here). I was pretty confident in my team and still am pretty confident in my team. We’re coming for third,“ said Phillips senior Makeemah Byrd. “I’m glad we made it down here… first time in history… that’s big for us.”
Head coach Larry Stokes shared the same sentiment about his team and program.
“Phillips basketball is going in the right direction,” Stokes said. “I’ve been coaching for over 20 years, I’ve seen the highs, and the lows… we’re trending in the right direction.”
Also making history is the fact that two CPS teams qualified for the state tournament semifinals, as Kenwood will compete in the Class 4A semi-final game on Friday.
“I love the fact that two CPS teams are down here. We’re rooting for Kenwood. Two South Side schools that made it downstate, that’s a great accomplishment,” Stokes said.
The players shared a tremendous amount of excitement as well that they were able to represent their school, community and District on the big stage of the IHSA State Tournament.
“I’m proud… I always love representing Phillips,” Byrd said. “It’s a home, there’s no place like home. I love my team.”
“It would mean everything (finishing third),” senior Kiera Wilson said. “This is my first time coming downstate and even though we didn’t get the trophy, we still got something to work towards, we’re not done.”
“The support has been great,” Williams said. “We had a pep rally before we came down… I love our fans and community, everyone came out to support us.”
Phillips will continue its season on Friday, as they will take on Mount Carmel (Ill.) at 6 p.m. for a chance at a third-place finish in state. Regardless of Friday’s result, Phillips’ girls basketball program history will be made when it brings home a state trophy.
Photos by Joey Gelman/OSA
