Defensive-minded Montini beats Grayslake Central to advance to Class 3A state semifinals
Montini’s (l-r) Victoria Matulevicius, Nicolette Kerstein, Shea Carver, Peyton Farrell, Lily Spanos, Alyssa Epps begin to celebrate their Super-Sectional victory over Grays Lake Central, February 26, 2024, River Forest, Illinois | Allen Cunningham / For the Sun-Times
Allen Cunningham/Chicago Sun Times
Junior guard Nikki Kerstein tapped the ball loose from behind Monday night, diving for it before a Montini teammate grabbed it and passed it ahead to a teammate for a fastbreak score.
In that one play, the Broncos’ alertness, unselfishness and aggressiveness were on display. They dictated the pace throughout the night, goading overwhelmed Grayslake Central into several miscues on their way to a 44-25 win in a Class 3A supersectional.
Next up for the Broncos (29-7): the state semifinals in Normal.
“It means a lot because it’s my first time,” said senior forward Victoria Matulevicius, who scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds. “I’m so happy we can get this chance to get the job done.”
The Broncos were relentless defensively, swarming Rams who seemed a step slow and frequently tipping the ball loose. Grayslake Central (27-7) committed 17 turnovers, including 10 in the first half. Montini came in focused on neutralizing junior forward Madison Hoffmann and her sister, freshman forward Peyton Hoffmann.
“We dropped down on the two big girls,” Kerstein said. “That was super important, knowing that they were the two most effective players, and once we took them away, it was up from there.”
Madison Hoffmann finished with 12 points, almost half her team’s scoring total.
“It was a nasty game for us offensively,” Montini coach Shannon Spanos said. “The one thing you can control is defense, so we dug our heels in and tried not to let them do their thing.”
Senior forward Alyssa Epps drew the matchup with Madison Hoffman, fronting her hard and forcing other Rams to lob passes over her.
“She was huge for us defensively,” Kerstein said. “She did everything for us and was the main reason we could hold them to 25 points the whole game.”
Matulevicius’ ability to finish at the rim was also a difference-maker.
“I was just finding mismatches,” she said. “If a short girl was guarding me, I would seal, get open and trust that my teammates would pass me the ball.”
In the semifinals for the first time since 2020, Montini will face Lincoln, which lost in last year’s Class 3A state-title game.
“With these playoff games, you don’t know where your final game will be,” Matulevicius said. “State was the goal, and I can’t believe we’re getting the chance to get there.”
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Monday's Results
IHSA STATE SUPERSECTIONALS
CLASS 4A
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Waubonsie Valley 55, Alton 53, OT
HINSDALE CENTRAL
Nazareth 48, Homewood-Flossmoor 32
LIBERTYVILLE
Loyola 53, Libertyville 44
BARTLETT
Fremd 65, Batavia 46
CLASS 3A
HIGHLAND
Glenwood 45, Highland 38
HINSDALE SOUTH
Hinsdale South 36, Marian Catholic 30
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
Montini 44, Grayslake Central 25
LASALLE-PERU
Lincoln 46, Dixon 24
CLASS 2A
MORTON COLLEGE
Regina Dominican 53, Phillips 40
BUREAU VALLEY
Peoria Notre Dame 55, Alleman 39
VANDALIA
Nashville 41, Camp Point Central 32
TOLONO UNITY
Robinson 45, Peotone 36
CLASS 1A
BRIMFIELD
Illini Bluffs 47, Galena 41
BLUE RIDGE
Altamont 52, Cissna Park 44
HARVEST CHRISTIAN
St. Bede 70, Ida Crown 54
OKAWVILLE
Okawville 55, Goreville 26