Montini hitting 3-pointers right from the start
Montini picked up right where it left off last playoffs — on fire from 3.
The defending state champion Broncos, who hit a state finals record 12 3-pointers in last year’s championship game, made another 12 in a 70-21 win over Wheaton Academy at Wednesday’s Class 3A St. Francis regional semifinal.
Kiki Wilson scored 21 points with five 3-pointers and Whitney Adams had 17 points and three 3-pointers. It all came in the first half, when Montini made 9 of 20 from distance to lead 47-13.
“They started off in a 2-3 zone, so against a 2-3 you’re going to be shooting the ball more from the outside and you hope to get some open looks,” Adams said. “As many open looks as we got, we were pretty hot.”
Six of the 3-pointers came in the first quarter alone, when Montini (30-1) broke out to a 28-1 lead. The Broncos also forced 14 first-quarter turnovers.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Wheaton Academy coach Beth Mitchell said. “They just have so many weapons and are so talented.”
Ally Witt’s 3-pointer two minutes into the second quarter was Wheaton Academy’s first field goal.
Witt scored 10 points for the Warriors (10-18).
“It was good for our team to see what a state championship team looks like,” Mitchell said. “That’s a good experience for our kids. We’re thankful to have that one extra game.”
Whitney Holloway added 6 points and Kasey Reaber 13 rebounds and 8 assists. A commanding early lead was nothing new for Montini, beating opponents by more than 35 points per game this season.
“We really wanted to keep up the tempo,” Holloway said. “Games aren’t going to be like this from now on. We have to continue to play hard and not overlook any team.”
Next up is St. Francis, which Montini beat by scores of 78-20 and 67-24 during the season. Montini coach Jason Nichols, like most, surely expected to get Glenbard South — but won’t let up on the gas pedal.
“One game setting, anything’s possible,” Nichols said. “We don’t take anybody for granted and I will not let them take anybody for granted. We will be ready to go.”