Kenwood was reeling within the third quarter. Marist had ripped off a 9-0 run to chop the result in two and was feasting off its fast ball motion and a few premature miscues by the Broncos.
However then Kenwood elevated its full-court strain.
“My assistant [Demon Page], he mentioned, ‘Once we gonna flip the warmth up?’ ” coach Andre Lewis mentioned. “It proved to be the distinction.”
The Broncos held Marist to 11 factors on 5-for-16 capturing within the third quarter to realize management as senior guard Icesis Thomas set the tone on protection within the 62-48 victory Monday within the Class 4A supersectional at Hinsdale Central.
“We simply needed to flip it up,” mentioned Thomas, who had 5 factors, six rebounds, 4 steals and one block. “However we simply stored telling ourselves, ‘We’re the most effective workforce within the state.’ After they went on their run, we simply tried to cease that as a lot as attainable.”
The tenacious protection was the important thing as Kenwood superior to the Class 4A semifinals for the primary time at school historical past for each women and boys basketball.
“We made historical past,” Thomas mentioned. “We’re two video games away from profitable state, and I actually imagine that we will do it.”
The Broncos are relentless after they’re pressuring the ball. Thomas had two steals within the third quarter and compelled a turnover.
Thomas won’t be one of many Broncos’ main scorers, however she’s very important to the whole lot they do.
“I’m the glue to the whole lot,” Thomas mentioned. “I ensure I talk, I get within the gaps. I won’t be the primary scorer, however on the finish of the day, I’m nonetheless serving to us win.”
Lewis mentioned that Thomas “makes positive all people is aware of the place to be defensively.”
When she transferred to Kenwood final season, she crammed the function as a complementary do-it-all participant who doesn’t want the ball in her palms to make an impression.
“She’s anyone that we’ve been on the lookout for,” mentioned ahead Diann Jackson, who had 20 factors and eight rebounds. “[She’s a] high-level defensive participant. She transferred in final yr, however she is making a big impact this yr, and I really like that for her. This yr, she’s extra comfy.”
Howard commit Ariella Henigan, who’s the most effective scoring guards within the state, had 15 factors on 4-for-8 capturing. She didn’t have to say herself as a lot as a result of her teammates had been thriving.
Kenwood’s a distinct workforce when its turning turnovers into factors — that they had 25 factors off turnovers. Now, the Broncos will play Alton within the Class 4A state semifinals Friday in Regular.
“My sophomore yr, we misplaced right here to Benet within the supersectionals,” Jackson mentioned. “Coming to the identical fitness center . . . it simply feels nice to interrupt limitations and be capable to go down and win all of it.”
