Jaliece Russell kept her excitement to herself Saturday, at least immediately after Zion-Benton’s game.
The junior guard was instrumental in the Zee-Bees’ 53-37 victory against host Waukegan in the Class 4A Stevenson Regional quarterfinal.
Russell scored 26 points as Zion-Benton (2-20), which also got 14 rebounds from freshman forward Baakir Christian, won for the first time since Nov. 30, also a victory against the Bulldogs.
“Even though I showed no emotions, I’m truly excited,” Russell said. “We’ve had an up-and-down season, but even after all that our team has been through, it felt good to play hard and get a good team win.”
Junior forward Trinity Hoover said Zion-Benton’s victory was special for the program.
“It feels amazing because a lot of people doubted us, and I even doubted myself at times,” Hoover said. “But winning this game shows that faith and hard work pays off.”
Zion-Benton and Waukegan split their two regular-season games and were tied at 19-19 at halftime on Saturday. The Zee-Bees’ pressure defense shifted the momentum.
First-year Zion-Benton coach Drew Cuttill said his players persevered throughout a difficult season that included replacing former coach Jimsie Simmons and having no assistants at the start.
“The girls have competed all season, so this victory is a good validation as far as that we put the work in,” Cuttill said. “We made some adjustments in the second half and changed our offensive strategies up. Our press really changed things up, especially in the first two minutes of the second half.
“Jaliece really distributed the ball well and was able to get her points at the same time. Trinity did a nice job with screen action, and Baakir played a great game.”
Up next for the Zee-Bees is top-seeded Stevenson at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Patriots (29-2) defeated Zion-Benton 73-34 on Jan. 4 and 78-33 on Feb. 1.
“The key against Stevenson is keeping a positive attitude from start to finish,” Russell said. “We need to work together and be in control with how we play.”
Hoover agreed: “We have to play together and have heart. That’s the only way we can come close or come out on top.”
Waukegan aims for rebound: Waukegan first-year coach Kanisha Pettis tried to put a positive spin on a difficult season.
The Bulldogs (1-17) have been one of the hardest-hit programs in the state due to the coronavirus pandemic and needed a new coach when Nicole Keith accepted the Deerfield job in the fall.
“We were without three of my key players for reasons outside of basketball,” Pettis said. “My kids worked hard. We’re planning to dedicate this offseason to getting better and putting the time in. The best thing is we didn’t have any seniors. We have the whole group coming back.”
Junior Andre’yanna Hicks paced the Bulldogs on Saturday with 17 points and six rebounds. Junior Ambria Pettis scored nine points, and junior Ashley Derrick had seven.
“(Andre’yanna) played pretty well, definitely in spurts,” Kanisha Pettis said. “She’s our muscle and also guards the other team’s best post player. She’s starting to become a good ballhandler and leader.”
The Bulldogs, who beat Zion-Benton 50-42 on Jan. 11, plan to compete in a summer league in June for the first time in three years.
“Summer will be a good opportunity for the girls to get better,” Kanisha Pettis said. “Our biggest takeaway from the season is we know we have to be committed to get better. We did get better with pace and understanding of the game.”
Stevenson set for postseason: A couple of surprise contributors have given Stevenson a boost this season.
Junior center Kate Arne and freshman guard Nisha Musunuri have played key minutes for the North Suburban Conference champion Patriots.
The 6-foot-2 Arne came up big in multiple games. She had seven points and 10 rebounds in a 43-39 comeback win against Libertyville on Jan. 15.
“Kate’s really having a tremendous year for us,” Stevenson coach Ashley Graham said. “Her growth from her sophomore year to now has been remarkable.
“People do not realize the impact she has on the defensive side of the ball. She’s a tremendous shot blocker, and her ability just to alter shots because of her athleticism has been a huge reason for our success.”
Musunuri is an even bigger surprise. Her unflappable and steely personality have been evident in several games, including when she scored 13 points in a 65-51 win against Kenwood on Jan. 29.
“Nisha has just really come into her own during the second half of the season,” Graham said. “She has been called upon to start a few games and never wavers in her confidence.
“For her to do what she has done as a freshman, against the schedule that we play, has been great to see. She runs hard in transition, finishes around the rim, can knock down an open 3-pointer and has great body control.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.