Presenting the 2021-2022 DuPage County All-Area Girls Basketball Team

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again, or so the old maxim goes.Providence Catholic senior point guard Kelly Knight lived that scenario on Thursday night in a 48-45 Class 3A regional championship overtime victory over St. Francis.

It’s the IHSA state girls basketball playoffs, and the strangest things can happen.Case in point: Fifth-seeded St. Francis was at home Monday night, facing third-seeded Fenton, which had set a school record for wins in a season with 26.

The Addison Trail girls basketball team is relying on a pair of three-year varsity players to their best regular season start in over 15 years.Seniors Mary Velez and Quiana Birmingham are the backbone of the one of the best Blazer teams in recent decades.The Blazers (13-6, 6-1 West Suburban Gold) have built off last season’s showing, led by the production and leadership of Velez and Birmingham.

Whether leading by a wide margin in a game or practicing, Montini junior Shannon Blacher gives it her all, and perhaps, somehow more.“Every day, I go 110%, no matter what. Or else, you’re just wasting your time,” Blacher said following Montini’s 74-20 victory over St. Francis in the opening round of the Montini Christmas Classic on Monday. “So I think just not giving it your all is just not playing who you can truly be up to your full potential.”

Finally playing at home after 10 straight road games to begin the season, St. Francis had a first half to forget Tuesday night.That set the stage for a comeback the Spartans won’t want to forget.Overcoming a 16-point deficit late in the third quarter, St. Francis stormed back to defeat IC Catholic Prep 48-42 in overtime.

Here’s a look at the girls basketball season in the Metro Suburban