East Peoria, IL - It has been a busy last few days inside Lorene Ramsey Gymnasium, and Monday was the last day for its halls to host the 43rd Annual ICC Holiday Tournament. Offensive barrage seemed to be the theme of the day, as three of the four victorious teams eclipsed the 80-point mark. Kankakee (5-10), #6 Lake Land (11-3), #17 Illinois Central (9-4), and #1 Kirkwood (15-0) all won to conclude each program's calendar year. The back half of the day saw the host Cougars edge #12 Palm Beach State by one point for third and the #1 Eagles cruising to a nearly 50-point Championship win. 

7TH PLACE GAME | KANKAKEE 100, McHENRY COUNTY 75
Perhaps obviously, defense was at a premium in an offensive slug fest to start the final day of games. The Kankakee Cavaliers found their rhythm right from the get go, consistently using players like Ava Simpson, who by game's end would just miss a double-double. A 33-point opening frame from the Cavaliers had them feeling good. The McHenry County Scots (7-7) had a solid second quarter, with distance-shooting guard Bella Frohling leading their efforts. A 24-15 Scot out-scoring of Kankakee had the Cavaliers up a mere 48-43 at halftime. Kankakee made their adjustments and went from a nip-and-tuck game to a critical 32-8 third quarter over the Scots and changed the tone of the game down the stretch. McHenry County would win the fourth quarter 24-20, but the Cavaliers had made the run they needed, winning by 25 points over their Region 4 foe. 

Kankakee Leaders
Ava Simpson | 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Kayla LaCombe | 19 points, 8 assists, 7 steals, 4 rebounds
Alana Ross | 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists
Alyssa Ross | 12 points, 2 assists, 2 steals
Mariya Babilius | 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

McHenry County Leaders
Bella Frohling | 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals
Adriana Gerstung | 14 points, 6 assists, 4 steals, 2 rebounds
Cassidy Serpe | 14 points, 7 rebounds

Quotes from Coach Casey Meister on her team's victory
On the importance of ending tournament play on a high note
"We knew coming into this tournament, that it was going to be tough with all the ranked teams. We've been competing, so we just keep trying to get better for our region. It's nice to pull a region win here at the end." 

On the offensive flow in this game, especially as it pertains to the 175 combined points
"Yeah, we definitely do (thrive in a track meet-style game). We feed off our defense. When we're pressing, we're getting those steals, getting some tips, hands on it. We like to run. We like to go. That's our game. We like to make the other team tired."

On getting to play a Region 4 opponent in a neutral tournament setting
"We were excited. We knew coming in, with McHenry being in this, that this was a possibility. They're a tough team. We won't play them regular season, so we were looking forward to this and gaining some points for the postseason."

On getting to bring a slew of local players right close to home around the Christmas holiday
"It was great. We got six girls from Peoria, all their families showed up. It's been great. Everyone's been around. It was a nice team atmosphere. The girls have had a great time here. It's a great tournament." 

CONSOLATION CHAMPIONSHIP | #6 LAKE LAND 81, #16 NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI 66
It's been a game-by-game progression for the Lake Land Lakers over their time at the Holiday Tournament. From a tough loss to #12 Palm Beach State in the Quarterfinal, to showing flashes against Kankakee in the Consolation Semifinal, they looked perhaps as close to their normal selves in the Consolation Championship against #16 North Central Missouri. The Lakers led by 13 points at the half, and never really looked back, even leading by 29 points early in the fourth quarter. Traditionally known for their three-point shooting, it was the interior game that keyed Lake Land to victory, shooting 48.3% from the field and going 19-20 at the free throw line. Charleece Davis led the way with a double-double in points and rebounds, but was just one of four players in double figures in the 15-point win. 

Lake Land Leaders
Charleece Davis | 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Audri Spencer | 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Kaylee Niebrugge | 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Sydney Richards | 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals

North Central Missouri Leaders
Gladys Brown | 27 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals
Jacie Morris | 9 points
Jessica Reeter | 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Talicia Byrd | 8 points
Oliviya Tinoco | 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists

Quotes from Coach Dave Johnson on his team's victory
On the differences between their meeting with the Pirates on 12/18 to 12/30
"I was very concerned. I think they're a very diverse team. There's a lot of ways they can score. Their point guard's a tremendous player. We were fortunate today - we did a really good job on her, but then Gladys Brown tore us up today. She's a very good downhill driver. We preprared really hard last night. It helped that it was fresh from a couple weeks ago." 

On if he thinks this is the game they looked the most 'free' on offense
"Well, I felt like we were playing that way up until Christmas break. We took Christmas break, we didn't have two very good practices on the 26th or 27th, and I thought that carried over. Yesterday, it got a little bit better, and today I thought we were back where we want to be." 

On now preparing for the 'bloodbath' that is the Region 24 schedule
"You better be ready to play every night. Obviously, you have your teams that will probably be at the top, like ICC, Lincoln Land, Parkland, Danville. Kaskaskia's a new team - so you don't know much about them. Spoon River is much improved from last year. John Wood has a new coach, and I know they're playing very hard. Lewis & Clark looks much improved over last year too. If you aren't ready to play, somebody is going to get you." 

THIRD PLACE GAME | #17 ILLINOIS CENTRAL 77, #12 PALM BEACH STATE 76
If you thought the stress levels were high in the #17 Cougars' double overtime loss to (RV) Schoolcraft on Sunday night, it wasn't exactly any less stressful on Monday, as ICC found themselves in another tight-knit battle late, now with #12 Palm Beach State. It was a closely fought battle throughout. The Panthers would out-score the hosts 22-14 in the third quarter, giving them a 60-53 lead headed into the final frame. It would be ICC's best quarter of the game in the fourth, largely in part due to a 12-point quarter from Lily Luczkowiak, who would eventually average 23 points per game over the course of the tournament. Luczkowiak also went 6-8 at the free throw line, with the last two of those six setting the final score, and Kaitlin White coming up with a crucial game-ending block for the one-point and Top-25 victory. 

Cougar Box Score
Lily Luczkowiak | 25 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Kamryn Heider | 11 points, 3 assists, 2 steals
Kaitlin White | 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Savannah Orgeron | 10 points, 5 rebounds
Emily Dana | 5 points, 3 rebounds
Addi Swadinsky | 4 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds
Addy Engel | 3 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals
Madison Jobe | 3 points
Larissa Taylor | 2 points, 3 rebounds
Lauren Maas | 2 points, 5 rebounds
Cora DeSutter | 2 points, 3 steals

Palm Beach State Leaders
Bree Williams | 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists
Taylor Blackshear | 14 points, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds
Isabella Rivera | 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Mia Lewis | 14 points, 5 assists

Quotes from Lily Luczkowiak on the Win
On playing such a key scoring role in two so tightly-knit games
"I think it's just that 'want to win' feeling. Do everything you can to draw the foul, go in there, try and make the play, like that's what I want my role to be. I think I executed that pretty well throughout these games, even though we took a loss yesterday." 

On how much the frustrations from such a close loss turned into motivation in this game
"I feel like we wanted more out of the game yesterday. Today really meant a lot, coming back, playing how we want to play, and coming out with a good win to end the (calendar) year." 

On where the team's at going into the Region schedule
"I definitely think we're heading in the right direction. We're playing really good competition right now (five of 13 games are versus ranked or receiving votes teams). This tournament has really helped. This is all really good preparation for when those region games come." 

Quotes from Karrie Redeker on her team's victory
On the stress levels between Sunday's 2OT loss and Monday's 1-point win
"We got a great start today, and I thought 'okay, here we go, a little smoother sailing'. Palm Beach shot really, really well. Then we were in a dog fight, down by nine heading into the fourth quarter. Really proud of our kids for the resiliency that they showed. I thought we had good focus coming in. We definitely needed that one." 

On the importance of having maintained good stamina from the marathon on Sunday
"I think we handled it really well. We used our bench a little bit more today - had some really good production coming in, which allowed our kids to play a little bit harder. If you're a competitor, you don't worry about what happened yesterday. We were playing for some pride today, too." 

On the performance of Lily Luczkowiak this tournament (68 total points, 18 total rebounds)
"Oh, yeah. She's just really come into her own. She looks really comfortable out there. The thing with her is she doesn't try to do anything that she's not good at. She just has a nose for that basket. She understands how to use that backboard to get those in there. Probably her biggest plays were the steals. She doesn't take a play off. Kids like to play with her because she's really reliable. We're definitely glad she's in our blue and gold." 

On the setup for Region 24 schedule
"Game-wise, we're not quite half way done with the season, but it's a great break for our kids. We're giving them a couple days off (Cougars have a bye from Region play on Saturday 1/4). They need time to mentally decompress and reload for the next semester. I love our schedule that we've had. We have lost to four high-quality teams. Hopefully, that will give us some confidence. When we've had our best teams, they've been great practice teams and really pushed each other. Hopefully we have that sense of urgency, because we have something pretty special here." 

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME | #1 KIRKWOOD 86, (RV) SCHOOLCRAFT 38
It was a tight start to the Championship, with the nation's #1 team holding on to a narrow 18-14 lead after the first 10 minutes. Ah, but then the 'Kirkwood most know' came to fruition. The Eagles blitzed out to a combined 48-14 out-scoring of the Schoolcraft Ocelots between the second and third quarters, holding the Ocelots to six points in the second and eight in the third. The newfound large margin of victory allowed Coach Kim Muhl to dip further into his bench, with seven players playing 15 or more minutes, whereas the Ocelots had three players play more than 30 minutes. Lizzy Puot was the leading scorer, coming just a few rebounds shy of a double-double. Ella Pritchard was quite literally perfect, with her 11 points coming on 4-4 shooting and 3-3 at the free throw line to make in four in double figures for the Eagles. Kaliyah Sain was just one rebound from a double-double as well, sparking Kirkwood to a (15-0) start to the season. 

Kirkwood Leaders
Lizzy Puot | 14 points, 7 rebounds
Kaliyah Sain | 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Jenna Twedt | 13 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Ella Pritchard | 11 points, 5 rebounds
Jariah Harris | 8 points, 8 rebounds
Olivia Wren | 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Kennedy Blakely | 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Schoolcraft Leaders
Mariah Scott | 15 points, 4 rebounds
Sharon Smith | 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Raegan Byrd | 9 points, 7 rebounds

Quotes from Coach Kim Muhl on his team's victory
On whether they wanted to capitalize on potential Ocelot fatigue after their 2OT game Sunday
"Not really. They played a lot of kids. Our kids are dealing with the same fatigue, too. They're bigger than us, and I thought they would wear us down, at least a little bit, and they did not. Our kids were pretty resilient. I didn't know how we would respond to that (the height). I thought we did a really good job." 

On getting better as the game progressed
"They got to believe in what they're doing. If the kids don't buy in to what you want, it could be a hell of a long year. This group's bought in really early, and they're starting to get better. Our depth is getting better. So long as we don't have any injuries, we could be pretty good." 

On where the team's at going into the 2025 portion of ICCAC play
"Well, usually we lay an egg over here [laughs]. Then, our league, we lost two in a row last year. This is a little bit different feeling. I really can't answer that. I am happy where we're at. Basketball's pretty humbling. You get cocky, you'll get beat quick. We gotta go back to work, give them a couple days off, and back to work." 

43RD ANNUAL ICC HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT | ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Lizzy Puot | Kirkwood
Lily Luczkowiak | Illinois Central
Sharon Smith | Schoolcraft
Jessica Reeter | North Central Missouri
Mia Lewis | Palm Beach State
Garyana Overton | Schoolcraft
Savannah Orgeron | Illinois Central
Jenna Twedt | Kirkwood
Sydney Richards | Lake Land
Kaliyah Sain | Kirkwood

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE ICC COUGARS
Region 24 Opener
vs. Spoon River Snappers (3-8, 0-0)
Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 - 5:30 PM
at Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, Illinois
Watch Live (HUDL-TV)
Listen Live (Mixlr)