St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ win fourth consecutive Regional title

By Fred Kroner

The Streak continues.

The last four years that the IHSA has conducted a postseason series in girls’ basketball, St. Joseph-Ogden has emerged as Class 2A regional champions.

The Streak hit four on Friday (Feb. 18) when the Spartans dismantled Bishop McNamara 51-17 in Kankakee.

SJ-O started strong, scoring all 11 of the first-quarter points and then moving into a 33-7 halftime lead.

Four Spartans made baskets in the opening quarter, with Peyton Jones scoring five of the early points.

SJ-O’s balanced scoring attack was paced by Taylor Wells. She hit 10 points and has led – or shared the team lead – in scoring in three consecutive games.

Payton Jacob netted nine points. Ella Armstrong contributed eight points as did Jones. Addison Frick added seven points.

In the pre-game three-point shooting contest, three Spartans advanced individually to the sectional. Representing SJ-O at the next level will be Armstrong, Wells and Ashlyn Lannert.

SJ-O (23-7) returns to action on Tuesday (Feb. 22) in the Peotone Sectional against Prairie Central, an opponent it defeated by 21 points in January. The Spartans have won their last six games.