Kyle Williams' Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for March 8, 2026

Michael

Mar 9, 2026 - 01:00

0 0

Kyle Williams' Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for March 8, 2026

Nazareth left no doubt it was the best team in Illinois after it won its second state championship in four years with a dominant 55-23 victory Saturday against Loyola in the Class 4A title game in Normal. The Roadrunners ended the Ramblers’ 25-game winning streak and posted the largest margin of victory in a championship game since 2008.

Nazareth ended its season on a 25-game winning streak. Its only in-state loss was to Benet in December, and it faced a tough road to get to the state finals. The Roadrunners had to beat Young, St. Ignatius, Downers Grove North and Waubonsie Valley just to advance to the 4A semifinals.

But those battles prepared Nazareth for the two biggest games of its season, and it showed. The Roadrunners moved the ball seamlessly offensively and were active defensively, cutting off drives and limiting Loyola’s potent post scorers.

‘‘I’m super-excited we got to come back and prove ourselves and prove that we can hang with the best teams,’’ said Nazareth senior guard Lyla Shelton, who scored eight points.

Shelton, who is committed to Concordia University Wisconsin, was a steady contributor for the Roadrunners all season. She scored 18 points in their supersectional victory against Waubonsie Valley, brought constant energy and was always vocal.

I’ve thought Shelton has been underrated all season. She’s a reliable shooter who can play on and off the ball.

‘One of the all-time greats’

In the afterglow of Nazareth’s victory, coach Eddie Stritzel had high praise for freshman standout Mia Gage, who scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds and had five steals in the title game.

‘‘Our guards put so much pressure on the ball, and it allows our wings to be really aggressive,’’ Stritzel said. ‘‘I think Mia is going to be one of the all-time greats.’’

Gage is usually the most athletic player on the court. She regularly uses her athleticism to jump into passing lines and grab rebounds, and she showcased some impressive shooting against Loyola.

Gage is now a state champion after an impressive freshman season. She credited her teammates for helping her acclimate to varsity basketball.

‘‘Knowing that my teammates are going to be there for the next pass or, if I get beat, then they’ll be there to help me,’’ Gage said.

Runner-up Ramblers

Despite the lopsided score in the title game, Loyola still had an impressive season.

The Ramblers lost senior guard Aubrey Galvan, who had shouldered a lot of the offensive responsibility, to graduation in 2025 but returned to Normal by doubling down on their defense and playing more through post players Maddison Locke and Emily Naraky.

Nazareth shut down the paint and prevented Locke and Naraky from getting easy looks. Loyola struggled to score, especially from three-point range (1-for-16).

Still, with Locke and Naraky returning, expect the Ramblers to be formidable again next season.

1. Nazareth (35-3) 1

Won the 4A state championship

2. Loyola Academy (34-3) 2

4A state runner-up

3. Waubonsie Valley (32-4) 3

Lost in the 4A super-sectional

4. Rolling Meadows (22-12) 8

Finished fourth in 4A

5. Trinity (26-11) 9

Third place in 3A

6. Providence (31-5) 4