East Peoria, Ill. - The second-seeded Illinois Central College women's basketball team (24-6) will open postseason play on Tuesday, March 4th as they host the seventh-seeded John Wood Blazers (10-19) in Region 24 Quarterfinal action at 5:30 pm in Ramsey Gym. The teams have met twice this season with ICC winning both contests, including a 69-57 win in Quincy on February 22. 

The Cougars bring momentum into the tourney, having just claimed a share of the Mid-West Athletic Conference regular season championship on Saturday on Sophomore Day in Ramsey Gym, where they are 13-1 this season. The program last won the MWAC regular season crown in 2020.  

"We're looking forward to the post-season and are excited to be playing at home on Tuesday," coach Karrie Redeker said.  "It's kind of surreal that it's already time for March Madness but we've had a lot of competitive games so we're ready to go." 

The Cougars are led by the 1-2 punch of 5'10 forward Lily Luczkowiak (Illini Bluffs HS) and 5'9 guard Addy Engel (Morton HS).  Luczkowiak averages 15.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg while Engel adds 13.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg.  Both players are efficient on the offensive end, with Luczkowiak shooting a team-high 59.5% (9th in the NJCAA) and Engel clocking in at 58.7% (11th in the NJCAA).  

"Lily and Addy have put up good numbers all season while playing within the team concept," Redeker said. "They've played well together and do more than just score. Lily leads the team in steals and Addy is one of our most reliable defenders, which has been very important to our success."

The Cougars have several weapons, and that's where their strength lies. Sophomore forward Savannah Orgeron (Mahomet-Seymour HS) is averaging just a hair under double figures at 9.8 ppg while freshman guard Kaitlin White (Fieldcrest HS) adds 9.6 ppg.  The pair, along with freshmen Kamryn Heider (Richwoods HS) and Madison Jobe (Purdue PolyTech HS, Indianapolis, IN) give the Cougars a formidable perimeter attack as the quartet has combined for 161 three-pointers. 

Quarterbacking the squad from the point guard spot has been sophomore Addi Swadinsky (Dee-Mack HS), who averages a team-high 5.3 assists per game.  She is a coach on the floor who also takes on the toughest defensive assignment and holds the team together both on and off the court.

"Addi has been a difference-maker from a leadership standpoint," Redeker said.  "She's a feisty competitor who has high standards and works hard at keeping the chemistry strong off the court.  It has been what's made this team a fun team to coach and be around."  

ICC also has a presence in the paint in 6'1 Larissa Taylor and sophomore center Cora DeSutter, who adds 7.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg and valuable experience. 

John Wood counters with two high scoring guards in sophomores Blair Eftink (20 ppg) and Grace Deters (13 ppg).  Eftink, a Quincy University signee, has knocked down 92 three-pointers at a 36% clip on the season while Deters is in the Top 10 in the nation in assists, dishing out 5.6 assist per game.  Both will need to be contained for the Cougars to move on to Thursday's semi-finals. 

The format for the Region 24 DII women's basketball tournament has changed, with each game now being played at the highest seed, so if ICC can get past the Blazers, they would host the semi-finals in Ramsey Gym on Thursday against the winner of #3 Lake Land vs. #6 Kaskaskia. 

A full schedule appears below along with a complete bracket; check the ICC Athletics' website or ICC WBB social media accounts for updates. 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
2025 Region 24 Tournament Quarterfinal
vs. #7 John Wood Blazers (10-19)
Tuesday, March 4th - 5:30 PM
at Ramsey Gym - East Peoria, IL
Watch Live (Hudl TV)
Listen Live (Mixlr)

FULL REGION 24 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FULL BRACKET (CLICK HERE)

Quarterfinals (Tuesday, March 4th - 5:30 PM)
G1 | #8 Lewis & Clark (4-26) @ #1 Lincoln Land (28-2)
G2 | #5 Danville Area (19-11) @ #4 Parkland (19-11)
G3 | #7 John Wood (10-19) @ #2 Illinois Central (24-6)
G4 | #6 Kaskaskia (7-22) @ #3 Lake Land (24-6)

Semifinals (Thursday, March 6th - Times/Sites TBD)
G5 | Winner G1 vs. Winner G2
G6 | Winner G3 vs. Winner G4

Championship (Saturday, March 8th - Time/Site TBD)
G7 | Winner G5 vs. Winner G6

Winner advances to the 2025 NJCAA Division-II Women's Basketball National Tournament, which takes place Monday, March 17th - Saturday, March 22nd at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the campus of Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri.