Class 4A State Tournament: Friday 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 Fridays Class 4A Semifinals and 3rd Place Game:
2022 Simone Sawyer Simone Sawyer 5'10" | CG Stevenson | 2022 State IL , 5’10” Guard, Stevenson
A talented Shooting Guard who can play any of the Guard positions with her ball-handling and scoring capabilities, Sawyer made a massive impact in her team’s Semifinal victory with her play at the defensive end. She made things extremely difficult for Benet’s star player throughout the game with her toughness and physicality. Simone is a highly intelligent player who can lock in and take away the opponent’s best player to give her team a big advantage.
2022 Ava Bardic Ava Bardic 5'8" | CG Stevenson | 2022 State IL , 5’8” Guard, Stevenson
Bardic is widely known as a high-level shooter from deep, but it was her other attributes that helped lead Stevenson to a Seminal win over Benet. She scored a game-high 16pts, knocking down one three-pointer, but also showing that she can finish at the basket among taller defenders. Ava was a reliable ball-handler against Benet’s pressure defense, and played outstanding defense of her own, finishing the game with four steals.
2024 Emory Klatt Emory Klatt 6'2" | SF Stevenson | 2024 State IL , 6’1” Forward, Stevenson
A top Forward in the Sophomore Class, Klatt was a force in the lane with her strength and rebounding ability. She scored 10pts and brought down 7reb in a Semifinal win, making things difficult for Benet’s interior Post players. Emory is one of the top rebounders in the state and has the skill on offense to consistently score inside and stretch the floor with her shooting.
2023 Samantha Trimberger, 6’0” Forward, Benet
Trimberger is a strong and active stretch-Forward who gave Benet a boost on the offensive end when they were struggling to score in the first half. She had 7pts and 10rebs, making a huge impact in the lane with her length and toughness.
2023 Sophie Swanson Sophie Swanson 5'10" | SG Barrington | 2023 State IL , 5’11” Guard, Barrington
The top performance from the State Tournament thus far, Swanson erupted for 35pts and 9reb in a Semifinal victory over Bolingbrook. She was as confident as she typically is with her shot from deep, knocking down five three-pointers. Sophie also showcased her strong ball-handling and crafty finishing skills through traffic.
2024 Angelina Smith Angelina Smith 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL , 5’9” Guard, Bolingbrook
Smith is a high-level Combo Guard who showed off her ball-handling and finishing skills in transition in a Semifinal loss to Barrington. She had 12pts and 8reb while serving as the primary ball-handler and creating shots for herself off-the-dribble. Angelina is a high-level finisher around the basket with her IQ and athleticism and plays tough on-ball defense against opposing Point Guards.
2024 Gwen Adler Gwen Adler 5'10" | SG Barrington | 2024 IL , 5’10” Guard, Barrington
A do-it-all Guard who can play inside the perimeter with her physicality and fearlessness, Adler rarely gets out-worked when fighting for rebounds or loose balls. She had 20pts and 11reb with strong takes to the basket and confidence in her mid-range jumper. Gwen is an extremely efficient scorer at the offensive end, making 7 of her 8 Field Goal Attempts and 6 of her 7 Free Throw Attempts.
2022 Kennedi Perkins Kennedi Perkins 5'6" | PG Bolingbrook | 2022 State IL , 5’5” Guard, Bolingbrook
Perkins is a high-level Point Guard who had an outstanding performance in Bolingbrook’s win in the Class 4A 3rd Place Game. She had 16pts and 4ast, knocking down shots from beyond the three-point line and finishing in traffic around the basket. Kennedi is an explosive athlete who regularly gets to her spot off the dribble and uses her strength to fight through contact in the lane.