MW, Meadows, Viator set for sectionals
It's down to Maine West, Rolling Meadows and St. Viator as far as the girls basketball teams from suburban Cook County still playing in the IHSA state tournament.
Action resumes on Monday night for Maine West while St. Viator and Rolling Meadows wait until Tuesday for their next contests.
At Maine East: Top-seeded Maine West (28-1) of the Central Suburban League North opens up at 6 p.m. on Monday against No. 5 New Trier (24-5) of the CSL South.
The second semifinal follows at 7:30 p.m. between No. 3 Loyola and No. 7 Maine South.
The championship is set for Thursday at 7 p.m.
Ranked No. 5 in the IHSA Class 4A state poll, Maine West is coming off its 26th regional title in program history and looking for its 12th sectional crown.
Coach Kim de Marigny won the program's first one in 2017 since the late hall of famer Derril Kipp won his tenth in 2007.
At Lake Park: Rolling Meadows coach Ryan Kirkorsky has the Mustangs playing in their fourth sectional in his five years directing the program.
The No. 6-seeded Mustangs (21-8) take on No. 4 Wheaton Warrenville South in the 7:30 p.m semifinal on Tuesday while No. 1 Geneva (2017 state champ) plays at 6 p.m. against No. 4 Wheaton North (26-3), which is on a 14-game winning streak.
Mid-Suburban League East co-champ Meadows advanced to the sectional by posting a 65-50 triumph over No. 3 Glenbard West at the Lake Park regional title game.
The Mustangs have won two sectionals in program history, both under Kirkorsky in 2013 and 2014 when they went on be Class 4A state runners-up each time.
At Woodstock North: Third-year St. Viator coach Jason Raymond has the Lions playing in their third straight Class 3A sectional.
Top-seeded St. Viator (20-9) kick off against No. 4 Resurrection (17-11) in the 6 p.m. semifinal on Tuesday followed by the 7:30 semifinal between No. 6 Carmel and No. 7 Lakes. The championship is Thursday at 7 p.m.
St. Viator topped Resurrection 54-50 in Arlington Heights on Jan. 22.
The Lions, who have never won a sectional, are making their fourth appearance in one. They have also won regional crowns in 2002 (2A) and 2010 (3A).