Dukeman, Trimble, Taylor and Hamilton bring previous State experience to this weekend’s tournament
By FRED KRONER
fred@sjodaily.com
Hannah Dukeman has been there before.
So has Bree Trimble.
And so have Maclayne Taylor and Atleigh Hamilton.
They have all played in a state finals game or participated in an IHSA championship event.
In the past, that time in the limelight for the St. Joseph-Ogden athletes was in a variety of sports.
This weekend — starting tonight — they are together in basketball.
It’s the first state tournament appearance for SJ-O in girls’ basketball.
The Spartans (28-4) will take on Teutopolis (32-4) in a Class 2A semifinal game at 7:15 p.m.
If the team seems unawed by the surroundings and unfazed by the environment at Redbird Arena, in Normal, then it’s a credit to those who have experienced similar moments in the past.
Dukeman was part of a softball team in 2017 that played for a state championship.
Trimble was part of a volleyball team in 2016 which played in the finals.
Taylor and Hamilton were competitors last spring on the Spartans’ state championship track and field team.
“I think being in multiple sports has led me to be a better competitor,” Dukeman said. “I believe that players don’t just play the game, they compete.
“Sports are all different, but they are still played with hard work, grit, and determination. Practice is also a big thing when it comes to sports.
“Same say practice makes perfect, but I believe practice makes permanent; therefore, practice is the time to work on things and get better.”
Dukeman said it will be important to keep emotions at an even keel this weekend. That’s one of the messages she will share with her teammates.
“I’m glad I am able to let them all know that although these upcoming games are crucial, we can’t act as if it’s any different than a regular game,” she said. “We should play with the same mindset and intensity no matter what.
“The atmosphere is different for sure, but it is not something we can’t handle.”
The Spartans received a memorable sendoff Thursday morning from the high school.
After gathering in the lockerroom for one final team meeting, they were greeted by a rousing student body cheering section upon exiting.
“They lined up in the gym and made a tunnel for us to go through,” SJ-O coach Kevin Taylor said.
From his perspective, the multi-sport standouts bring a beneficial component to the team.
“It helps any time you’ve competed at a high level and in an intense environment,” Kevin Taylor said.
Though 1,000-point scorers Trimble and Peyton Crowe have been the Spartans’ top scorers, Dukeman and Maclayne Taylor have each had games of at least 18 points.
Dukeman is the team-leader in three-pointers.
SJ-O has avoided the jealousies that can destroy a team’s chemistry.
“From the beginning, every single one of us has understood that we have the capability of doing something great with the team we have,” Dukeman said. “We set goals and were more than determined to accomplish them.
“Coach has always stressed that every single person, whether they play two minutes or 25 minutes, are all of the same importance.
“We have each other’s backs, and we are able to pick each other up when we are down. Everyone has a role, and that’s just something we have all understood because we want to show everyone the potential we have.”
On Thursday, Trimble was chosen to The Associated Press’ five-player Class 2A All-State second team.
SJ-O’s state semifinal opponent is one the school played in early December.
Kevin Taylor believes that loss is a factor in the team’s late-season surge.
“We’re a different team now,” he said. “We learned stuff. That opened up our eyes.
“Early on, we were not ready to compete at a high level. We were not working as hard as we should have been.”
The Spartans’ schedule was designed with challenges rather than to build a gaudy won-loss record.
“Coach said in the beginning of the season that we changed our schedule to help us in the long run,” Dukeman said. “We have worked hard in practice knowing that no game will be handed to us.
“I think as a team we agreed with Coach that it’s better to load our schedule with team likes Teutopolis because we can only learn from them all. Basketball is a game of learning and I do believe our schedule is part of the reason why we are where we are.”
SJ-O won’t be intimidated by an opponent they lost to previously by 33 points.
“A state game is obviously going to be a challenge, so I believe that any team we play is going to be tough to beat,” Dukeman said. “Our mindset is the same from here on out because we all want to accomplish our goal we made in the beginning of the season.
“Teutopolis has been someone that always brings a great game, but I believe this game will come down to the little things because we both have great potential as a unit.”
Dukeman doesn’t believe the Spartans will be satisfied simply by being the first girls’ basketball team in school history to reach the Final Four.
“Our team is more than excited to be able to make history and go to state, but we aren’t settled and our season isn’t over yet,” Dukeman said. “We are aware that these last few days before we play are crucial to continue to work hard because we know that every team here is doing the same.
“We all want to be able to walk away from this season knowing we did all that we could.”
Kevin Taylor is enjoying the success this season from two standpoints. He is both the coach and a parent.
His daughter is senior Maclayne Taylor.
“I’m happy for her like I’m happy for everyone else on the team,” he said. “All of the girls are special, but to have a daughter on the team takes it up another notch.”
Depending on the outcome of Friday’s game, SJ-O will play either in Saturday’s 5:30 p.m. third-place game or in Saturday’s 7:15 p.m. championship game.
