Once again, it was absolute domination for both of the Rockford-area girls basketball teams that are still alive.
And when it was all over, there was no denying who belongs at state as Rockford Christian and Byron each soared into the IHSA Class 1A and 2A girls state basketball Final Four, respectively, with dominant victories in Monday’s super-sectionals.
“We sure are clicking right now,” senior forward Macy Groharing said after scoring 35 points and hauling in nine steals as Byron led wire to wire en route to a 66-40 win over Pontiac. “Two more wins. We’re just having fun, but we want to have a little bit more.”
Rockford Christian (25-11) was even more dominant as it soared to state after a 52-20 win over Winnetka North Shore Country Day on March 2. Rockford Christian will take on Deer Creek-Mackinaw, 45-43 winners over Kewanee Wethersfield, in the 1A state semifinals at 11:45 a.m. Thursday in Normal. The winner of that will play for the 1A state championship at 10 a.m. Saturday back in Normal.
“We were definitely dialed in,” Rockford Christian head coach Ted Lawver said. “This was our kind of game, once again.
“We’ve gotten this far doing what we do well, we just have to keep doing it.”
Shea Ludwig finished with 25 points and Teagan Lawver scored 10 points for the Royal Lions.
Byron (32-2) left Pontiac in the dust, and it returns to the state tournament after taking second three years ago. Groharing and fellow senior standout Malia Morton (15 points, six steals, four rebounds on Monday) were both freshman stars on that team.
Now they are looking to finish the job. Byron takes on Elgin St. Edward in the 2A semis at 4:15 p.m. Thursday. The winner plays for the 2A title at noon Saturday.
“This is so exciting; we’re going back,” Morton said with a smile. “We are just so dialed in right now. I think we can keep it going.
“Let’s finish this thing.”
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and sign up for the Rockford High School Sports Newsletter here at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears and Blackhawks to local youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Byron, Rockford Christian girls steamroll right to state
Reporting by Jay Taft, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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