The chant, as expected, started less than two minutes into Thursday night’s Niles North Sectional final, right after sophomore Jewell Loyd scored her first points against Glenbrook South.
“You can’t stop her.”
As the game went on, and the chant continued, Loyd proved the chant correct. .
The 5-foot-10 sophomore scored 28 of her team’s 49 points to go along with 15 rebounds in a 49-35 victory over Glenbrook South, the team’s first title since 1981. The Wolves face Fenwick at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Loyola Supersectional.
“Both teams knew each other well, so this game was all about execution,” Loyd said. “We’re just living in the moment right now. This has been a big week at school. People have been writing essays about us, putting up posters. Coach said this is our year. It is our year. Thank God it’s our year.”
Glenbrook South (23-7) didn’t help its cause by shooting 13-for-52 from the floor.
The Wolves (27-5) closed the first quarter on an 8-2 run. Glenbrook South did not hit a field goal in the second ? ? going 0-for-13 ? ? as Niles West extended its lead to 21-13 by halftime.
The Titans stayed within 10 for most of the third before Niles West closed the quarter on a 4-0 run and opened the fourth on an 8-0 run to push its lead to 41-21 with 5 minutes, 4 seconds left.
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The decisive run was punctuated by a defensive rebound from Loyd, who took the ball the length of the court for an easy layup.
Allie Roemer led Glenbrook South with 10 points.
Player of the game:
Jewell Loyd, Niles West, 28 points, 15 rebounds, 3 steals.
Key performers:
Niles West — Michelle Poskrobko, 6 points, 9 rebounds. Glenbrook South — Allie Roemer, 10 points; Jannelle Flaws, 6 points, 7 steals, 5 rebounds.