Class 1A State Tournament: Thursday Standouts
For the first time in two years the IHSA State Tournament is being held at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University, and its back with a different format. This year, the Championship game for all four classes will be held on Saturday, meaning the Semifinals and 3rd Place Games will be on Thursday and Friday. Here are standouts from Thursdays Class 1A Semifinals and 3rd Place Game:
2022 Ella Lune Ella Lune 6'0" | PF Brimfield | 2022 State IL , 6’0” Forward, Brimfield
Though the AP 1st Team All-Stater and Eastern Illinois commit only played about half of the game due to foul trouble, Lune still dominated at the offensive end of the court with a game-high 18pts, making seven of her ten total shots. She is an extremely versatile Forward who uses her length and athleticism in the lane to score over defenders and bring down rebounds at a high rate. Ella also showcased a smooth jumper and caused issues for the opposing offense with her shot blocking abilities.
2023 Sydney Richards, 6’0” Forward, Neoga
Richards is an athletic Forward who can play on the perimeter or in the post with her ball-handling and natural scoring abilities. She averaged 13pts and 7.5rebs in her two games on Thursday, showing her confidence and composure on the biggest stage. Sydney is as versatile as it gets at both ends of the court and gives her coaches several options of how they can best utilize her abilities to help the team.
2024 Haylee Campbell, 5’11” Center, Neoga
A strong interior post player who dominates the glass and gives relentless effort in the lane, Campbell made a tremendous impact on Thursday. She averaged 11.5pts and 12rebs in her two games to help Neoga claim 3rd Place in Class 1A. Haylee constantly outworks her opponents on the low block and often gives her team second chance opportunities with her offensive rebounds and put-backs.
2022 Sophie Bedell, 5’11” Forward, Brimfield
While Lune battled foul trouble throughout the game, Bedell stepped up nicely and controlled the lane with her toughness and scoring ability. She scored 15pts while shooting 50% from Field, using a variety of post moves on the block and finishing with touch around the basket. Sophie and Ella also had success when they were both on the floor, using great spacing and making hard cuts so their teammates can set them up for easy baskets.
2022 Avery Fearday, 5’8” Guard, Neoga
Fearday is a talented Combo Guard who does a little bit of everything on the offensive end for Neoga. She averaged 12pts and 5ast through the two games, but also brought down a handful of rebounds and collected several steals in each game. Avery can score it from anywhere on the floor and impacts the game on the defensive end with her rebounding and scrappy defense.
2022 Elynn Peterson, 5’5” Guard, Brimfield
A do-it-all Point Guard who controlled the pace of the game with her strong ball-handling and leadership abilities, Peterson was on triple-double watch before finishing the game with 11pts, 8ast, and 7reb. She is an intelligent and confident ball-handler who can score the ball from all three levels and gets her teammates involved regularly with accurate passing. Elynn is a tough athlete who isn’t afraid to play physical when matched up against bigger opponents.
2025 Gracie Furlong, 5’9” Guard, Galena
A Freshman who we are bound to hear more about very soon, Furlong scored 13pts on 6-8 shooting and served as the primary ball-handler for her team. She is a high-level athlete with tremendous confidence and can score the ball from anywhere. Gracie constantly bothers opposing ball-handlers at the top of the 1-3-1 zone and finishes strong and with good touch at the basket.
2024 Addie Hefel, 5’6” Guard, Galena
Hefel is a well-rounded Combo Guard who knows how to play within her role and not force plays on the offensive end of the court. She had 10pts, 7reb, and 4ast in Galena’s Semifinal win, knocking down shots from the perimeter and attacking the basket where she finishes with strength and nice touch. Addie is a two-way player that every coach wants on their roster with her constant effort and versatility at the Guard position.
2022 Katie Baker Katie Baker 5'9" | CG Serena | 2022 State IL , 5’6” Guard, Serena
Baker is a strong and confident Point Guard with tremendous confidence when the ball is in her hand. She scored 17pts in her Semifinal game, showcasing her jumper from deep and the mid-range and finishing ability around the basket. Katie is a tough on-ball defender who competes hard and gives max effort every time she’s on the floor.
2022 Claire Martensen, 5’10” Forward, Galena
An outstanding spark off the bench for Galena, Martensen provided a ton of fire and energy in Galena’s Semifinal victory. She had a team-high 14pts while knocking down three of her four attempts from beyond the three-point line in addition to three points at the Free Throw line. Claire is a more than willing rebounder at both ends of the court and brings a positive attitude to help keep her team locked in.