NORMAL, Ill. – The St. Thomas More girls’ basketball team of Champaign, Ill., tore through the postseason with the force and thoroughness of a Category 5 hurricane.
But on Saturday night, the Sabers’ ran into a veteran team that was determined to write a storybook ending for itself – and ruin the Sabers’ version.
Fourth-ranked Nashville defeated top-ranked St. Thomas More, coached by Blue Star National Evaluator Chris Mennig, 42-29 in the Illinois High School Association Class 2A state title game at Redbird Arena.
Nashville (33-2), led by a senior class that was making its third appearance in the state tourney, led from start to finish to stun a St. Thomas More team that had won its six postseason games by an average of 31 points.
“This is our first time here,” Mennig said. “The storybook didn’t quite end the way we wanted it to.”
Nashville was led by Eastern Illinois recruit Erica Brown, a 6-foot- forward who had 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Brown and fellow senior Shaye Harre, daughter of head coach Wayne Harre, are the cornerstones for a program that has made a trip to Redbird Arena a common part of their late February plans. That experience paid off Saturday, as foul trouble plagued both teams and the Hornettes displayed the poise to handle the adversity.
STM didn’t have that same reservoir of experience. The Sabers (32-3) three leading scorers are led by freshman Tori McCoy, sophomore Lexi Wallen and junior Randa Harshbarger, all new to the bright lights of the bigger stage. It was evident at the start, as the Hornettes jumped to a 12-4 lead after one period and maintained a cushion throughout.
“They’ve been here, and they’re tested,” Mennig said.
The Sabers’ slow start was partly foul-induced – McCoy, a 6-foot-4 freshman, picked up two fouls in the first quarter and had three before halftime – and partly the result of a solid Nashville defense that kept tabs on the Sabers’ perimeter shooters. STM finished 1-for-18 on three-pointers (shot 32% heading into the game) and shot 23.5 percent overall (shot 47% on the season).
“Our guards were a little tentative,” Mennig said. “Going 0 for 10 from the three-point line isn’t something we’re accustomed to. We had to face a little adversity.”
The Sabers’ who averaged a school record 67.0 points per game this season had a previous season-low of 43, in a five-point loss against Class 3A’s third-ranked team, Champaign Centennial. McCoy, a 15-point scorer, didn’t play in that contest. St. Thomas More’s other loss was a 60-51 decision against Class 4A’s top team, Chicago Whitney Young and Kentucky recruit Linnae Harper where the Sabers led through three quarters.
McCoy, had nine points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes. She will remain the centerpiece of a program that will carry momentum into the 2013-14 campaign. Two senior starters graduate, but the Sabers should benefit from the experience of a sensational season.
“You hope it makes them hungry,” said Mennig (164-45), finishing his seventh season on the STM benchafter returning from his 8 month stint at Arizona State University this spring. “That’s all you can hope for from something like this. Ultimately it is their memories so we’ll see what next year brings.”
Said Lexi Wallen: “It should be a good ride for the next two years.”
Mennig’s post game radio interview – http://tayandj.podbean.com/2013/02/25/22513-hour-3-stms-chris-mennig/
SABERS ROLL INTO FINAL
Mennig’s squad had advanced with a 62-48 semifinal victory against El Paso-Gridley on Friday. McCoy dominated with 24 points and 14 rebounds, showing why she’s among the nation’s top 20 in the Class of 2016.
“We’re just scratching the surface of her ability,” Mennig said.
STM used a 17-2 advantage in the second quarter to open a 19-point halftime advantage that eventually was built up to 27 in the 3rd quarter. El Paso-Gridley (29-2) used a late run while Mennig tried to rest his starters that forced him to re-insert them but the outcome was never in doubt.
Sophomore Lexi Wallen had 20 points for the Sabers.
“Our kids’ defensive energy even surprised me a little bit, especially in that second quarter,” Mennig said. “They really dug deep. We talk a lot about getting a feel for what (the other team) does and then taking things away, and this group are students of the game.”
To see full post game TV press conference – http://www.wicd15.com/sports/features/headlines/stories/vid_435.shtml
