By Dan Angell
dangell@qctimes.com
ROCK ISLAND — In the days leading up to Illinois’ 72-65 victory over Iowa in the girls’ high school all-star game, Victoria May of Riverdale hardly could contain her excitement.
For years, she and teammate Lauren Ickes spent the winter playing against friends Shelby Steger of Kewanee Wethersfield and Ella Teel of Ridgewood. This time, they would all be playing together against eastern Iowa’s best and spent the week talking about finally getting that chance.
When they stepped on the court on Monday night, they quickly made up for lost time.
May scored 20 points, Steger added 11 and Illinois played like a team that had been together all season instead of for just one day in beating Iowa at Augustana College.
“It was so exciting,” said May, who was named most valuable player. “We all clicked. (Coach Gary Altman) picked two teams, and we all clicked on both teams. He kept switching it up, and nothing didn’t work. It’s amazing how we can get out there and have that connection.”
Despite both teams having just one practice before Monday night, neither side had much trouble developing chemistry. Every player on both sides scored in the game, and May was the only player on either squad to play more than 21 minutes.
Steger said that was because every player in the game was talented and knew what winning required.
“Good players know how to jell fast,” she said. “We really bonded quickly.”
The result was that Illinois was able to neutralize Iowa’s size advantage. With Moline’s Marquisha Harris missing the game because of a choir event in New York, Illinois had no players taller than 5’11”, while Iowa boasted 6’2” Megan Hayes of Bettendorf and 6’1” Stacey Clark of Pleasant Valley.
Hayes led Iowa with 13 points and 11 rebounds, but Illinois answered with defense and quality 3-point shooting.
Illinois shot 45 percent from the arc and came up with several key shots to hold off Iowa. After May hit her first 3-pointer of the game with 11 minutes left in the first half to put her team ahead 14-13, Illinois did not trail again.
Despite the loss, Hayes was in good spirits afterward, although she struggled with the fact that her high school career had ended.
“It’s an honor to play with these girls and wear the uniform one more time,” Hayes said. “But it’s always hard when your season is over. I can’t believe high school (basketball) is over.”
May had the same thought.
“It’s very surreal,” she said. “That was the last game I’ll ever play with this jersey on, and it’s sad. But that was a good way to go out.”
dangell@qctimes.com
ROCK ISLAND — In the days leading up to Illinois’ 72-65 victory over Iowa in the girls’ high school all-star game, Victoria May of Riverdale hardly could contain her excitement.
For years, she and teammate Lauren Ickes spent the winter playing against friends Shelby Steger of Kewanee Wethersfield and Ella Teel of Ridgewood. This time, they would all be playing together against eastern Iowa’s best and spent the week talking about finally getting that chance.
When they stepped on the court on Monday night, they quickly made up for lost time.
May scored 20 points, Steger added 11 and Illinois played like a team that had been together all season instead of for just one day in beating Iowa at Augustana College.
“It was so exciting,” said May, who was named most valuable player. “We all clicked. (Coach Gary Altman) picked two teams, and we all clicked on both teams. He kept switching it up, and nothing didn’t work. It’s amazing how we can get out there and have that connection.”
Despite both teams having just one practice before Monday night, neither side had much trouble developing chemistry. Every player on both sides scored in the game, and May was the only player on either squad to play more than 21 minutes.
Steger said that was because every player in the game was talented and knew what winning required.
“Good players know how to jell fast,” she said. “We really bonded quickly.”
The result was that Illinois was able to neutralize Iowa’s size advantage. With Moline’s Marquisha Harris missing the game because of a choir event in New York, Illinois had no players taller than 5’11”, while Iowa boasted 6’2” Megan Hayes of Bettendorf and 6’1” Stacey Clark of Pleasant Valley.
Hayes led Iowa with 13 points and 11 rebounds, but Illinois answered with defense and quality 3-point shooting.
Illinois shot 45 percent from the arc and came up with several key shots to hold off Iowa. After May hit her first 3-pointer of the game with 11 minutes left in the first half to put her team ahead 14-13, Illinois did not trail again.
Despite the loss, Hayes was in good spirits afterward, although she struggled with the fact that her high school career had ended.
“It’s an honor to play with these girls and wear the uniform one more time,” Hayes said. “But it’s always hard when your season is over. I can’t believe high school (basketball) is over.”
May had the same thought.
“It’s very surreal,” she said. “That was the last game I’ll ever play with this jersey on, and it’s sad. But that was a good way to go out.”
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