Winnebago Lady Indians Basketball Super Sectional

BEKKI NEAL PHOTO The Gazette
The Winnebago bench, along with the fans, reacts to a play against Chicago Marshall at the Dekalb Super Sectional on Monday, Feb. 18.

Lady Indians give Chicago Marshall quite a scrap
Despite the loss it was a season of milestones
By Doug Schroder
EDITOR
The Winnebago Lady Indians’ basketball season came to a close on Monday, Feb. 18 at the hands of the Chicago Marshall Commandos, 74 – 61, in the IHSA Dekalb Super Sectional game.
Winnebago came into the game on a roll, having won by an average of nearly 35 points a game in regional and sectional games played. Everything was clicking on the offense and defense.
Everything continued to click when they faced Marshall. ‘Bago matched the Commandos blow-for-blow for over three-and-a-half quarters. Marshall was also a team clicking when they came in, and just clicked a little more than ‘Bago in the end.
Marshall was up by just two after the first period, 19 – 17. Miyah Brown tallied nine points, with Alyssa Thompson adding six more in the opening period to keep the Indians in the game.
Winnebago would take the lead by one twice in the second quarter at 33-32 and 34-33, but the two teams equaled each other in points and Marshall went into the half again up by two, 36 -34.
At the start of the third quarter Brown hit a two-pointer. Chicago Marshall responded likewise, and then Thompson canned a three for the Winnebago lead at 39 – 38.
The game was tied at 41 – 41, then ‘Bago took the lead 44 – 43. That would be their last lead of the night.
The Lady Indians were only down 47 – 44 with 4:15 to go in the third period when shortly thereafter Thompson picked up her fourth foul and took a seat on the bench for a while.
After three quarters the Indians found themselves down by a score of 52 – 46.
One more time in the fourth period would the Indians close it to four, 56 – 52, but that’s the closest Winnebago would get.
Brown went to the charity stripe with just 1:46 to go in the game and the Indians still within range of pulling it out with the score at 65 – 58. Brown missed both shots, and Marshall pulled away after that to secure the win.
Marshall went on this past weekend to win the state title in Class 2A, eeking out a three point victory over Teutopolis, 47 – 44.
Brown finished with 24 points to lead the Indians in scoring. Thompson added 21 points to the effort.
Despite the loss it was a season of milestones for this team. Coach Krause earned her 500th career coaching victory very early in the season when her team defeated Morrison at the Forreston Holiday Tournament on Nov. 16. Senior Alyssa Thompson scored her 1000th career point on Jan. 26 against East Dubuque. Then there was the first sectional title in 27-years when the team defeated Spring Valley Hall on Feb. 14. Lastly, Thompson earned third team IBCA All State honors.
Winnebago has a good core of younger players on the roster and should provide some more thrilling memories in upcoming seasons.
For now, bask in the season now past, Lady Indians. It was truly a special one.