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Stevenson, Carmel recognize state champion girls basketball teams

Squads from both schools brought home state hoops titles

by Brian Hill

bhill@dailyherald.com

Two Lake County high schools brought home top honors from the Class 3A and 4A state basketball finals.

After a weekend filled with emotions, Wednesday was no different for Stevenson High School girls basketball coach Ashley Graham and her team that won the 4A championship on Saturday at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal.

During a recognition breakfast at the Lincolnshire school, Graham, who has been the head coach there since 2015, spoke about the strength, perseverance and teamwork the girls had.

"It's hard to put into words what they've meant to me, and all of them are my family," Graham said.

Earlier this week, Carmel Catholic High School held a celebration rally for its girls basketball team, which won the Class 3A title on Saturday. Carmel defeated Nazareth Academy 43-39 to secure the first girls basketball championship in the Mundelein school's history.

Stevenson beat Barrington 55-43 in the Class 4A title game.

"This win means everything, and ending this way is just the icing on the cake," four-year starter Ava Bardic said during an interview last weekend. "This is the best thing that could've happened to me."

Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein held a celebration rally on Monday for the girls basketball team, which won the Class 3A state title on Saturday. Courtesy of Carmel High School
  Ava Bardic returns to her seat after speaking to parents, staff members and students on Wednesday as they celebrate the Stevenson High School girls basketball team's state championship in Lincolnshire. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Coach Ashley Graham speaks to parents, staff members and students as they celebrate the Stevenson High School girls basketball team's state championship Wednesday in Lincolnshire. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Parents, staff members and students celebrate the Stevenson High School girls basketball team Wednesday in Lincolnshire. The Patriots finished the season with a 35-2 record and a state title. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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