It was a truly bittersweet night for Providence Catholic senior guard Lauren Knight.
On one hand there was the pride of helping lead the Celtics into their first-ever Class 3A supersectional. On the other was the recognition that their run was over, a historic season ended by a buzz saw of a team in unbeaten Morton that rolled to a 45-12 victory in the Kankakee Supersectional on Monday.
“Once I get over being sad,” Knight said afterward with a soft chuckle, “I’m still so proud of how far we’ve come. We broke our school record of wins. No one’s won a sectional at our school before. I’m just so proud of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown.”
Providence coach Eileen Copenhaver called Morton “a powerhouse in every sense of the word.”
The Potters (36-0) swarmed defensively, their full-court and quarter-court pressure making it difficult for the Celtics (27-9) to get into offensive sets. Providence turned the ball over 28 times, including 15 in the first half as the Potters took control.
Morton will play Springfield Lanphier in a 3A semifinal at Redbird Arena in Normal on Friday.
“I don’t know how many shots we had, but we couldn’t get past their press,” Knight said. “I think we just freaked out — too many turnovers.”
The Celtics didn’t go quietly.
Even though starting junior guard Ashley Raymer picked up two fouls and headed to the bench late in the first quarter, Providence trailed by just four points, 12-8, with about 4:30 minutes left in the second.
That’s when the Potters took control, led by their defense. They scored baskets on back-to-back possessions after forcing turnovers to kick-start an 11-0 run over the final 4:24 of the quarter to take a 15-point halftime lead.
“I didn’t get a chance to see them in person,” Copenhaver said. “Film doesn’t get you quite ready for it because physically they’re a lot bigger than what I saw on film. What a phenomenal team.”
Regardless of how it ended, there was nothing that could take away from what the Celtics achieved this season, especially the program’s first sectional title.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my young ladies this entire year, accomplishing something that’s never been done at our school,” Copenhaver said.
One of five seniors — along with Claire McGrath, Reagan Tokoly, Katie Rost and Jenna Spreitzer — Knight knew she wouldn’t dwell on Monday’s result too long.
There were too many good memories made on the ride to get there.
“It’s seriously something I’m never going to forget,” Knight said. “I still watch the videos of us winning sectional and regionals. I’m never going to forget it.”
Andrew Wyder is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.