WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Lady Apaches win Arrowhead.
By Erin Breyne
The Lady Apaches accomplished their goal this season by taking the title of Arrowhead Conference Champion, in their second year as a conference member. They finished 10-2 in the conference, 22-6 overall.
The biggest win for the women was their second victory against Kishwaukee on Feb. 15, 75 – 62.
"That win clinched the championship for us," said head coach Steve Crick.
Crick said the return of Jamie Kromm, who had been out with a knee injury since Jan. 6, contributed to the Lady Apaches’ recent wins.
Only Sauk Valley continued to be a problem for the Apache women. On Feb. 13, the Sauk women came out ahead 71-59 in a game played here. The Apaches had lost to Sauk earlier in the season, 88-46.
Other recent play, however, included wins over Highland, 68-57, Black Hawk East, 75 –54, Black Hawk, 76-53, and Carl Sandburg, 82-81.
"Success this season has been due to a real team effort," Crick said. "It was a hard earned conference championship, and I applaud the effort of the team."
The women, seeded No. 4 in the region, open post-season play March 3 against Morton College, seeded No. 5, in the IVCC gym. The Morton women closed regular season play at 17-10.
"It will be a tough game," said Crick. "Morton’s also seeded in the middle, and when you have a No. 4 and 5 play each other, the teams are usually pretty equal."
The Lady Apaches have not met Morton this season. In the only meeting between the two teams last year, IVCC won 97-93 in double overtime.
Top seeds in the region are Kankakee, South Suburban and McHenry County, in No. 1, 2, and 3 respectively.