By Dennis Bowling
Peotone senior Mady Kibelkis, who is among the top three in academic standing in her class, is in her element on the basketball court, playing a game she truly loves. On February 17, Kibelkis showed that love, by turning in a truly legendary performance.
Kibelkis, a 5-foot-8 shooting guard, registered a remarkable 30 points, including three straight momentum changing treys late in the fourth quarter, to help Peotone turn back Prairie Central, 70-57, in a high energy environment in the title game of the Class 2A Prairie Central Regional in Fairbury.
With the win, Peotone (30-1) and winners of seven straight games, will play St. Joseph Ogden (14-15) in the second semifinal of the Class 2A Coal City Sectional on Tuesday, February 21, at 7 p.m. In the first contest, McNamara will play Fieldcrest at 6 p.m. The title game will be at 7 p.m. on February 23.
Last season, Prairie Central eliminated the Blue Devils in the Class 2A Reed-Custer Regional title game. Currently, Peotone was able to turn the tables on the Lady Hawks, and they were eliminated – all with the help of Kibelkis doing lots of heavy lifting.
The Lady Hawks had a 34-27 half time lead but, in the third quarter, the fired-up Blue Devils outscored Prairie Central by a 6-0 count, although they still trailed 34-33.
Kibelkis’ bucket cut the Lady Hawks margin to 34-29, plus Velasco’s pair of free throws made it 34-31. Another Kibelkis shot missed the basket, but Hunter grabbed the rebound and made a bucket for a 34-33 score.
By the end of the third quarter, a Kibelkis basket gave the Blue Devils a 49-46 lead. It’s worth noting, Kibelkis needs only 10 points to hit the 1,000 career point mark. Hopefully, she can do that against St. Joseph Ogden. What an achievement that would be.
With 4:15 to go in the game, the Lady Hawks (20-8) were holding on to a 55-54 lead. At that point, Kibelkis (six treys) sensed the Blue Devils could use an offensive boost. She made an amazing three straight treys, which gave Peotone a 63-57 lead, After that, the Peotone fans were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
“It just feels great to beat them,” said an elated Kibelkis. “I had plenty of confidence in my shots, and I’m glad my shots went in. They were not going to end my season.”
Peotone senior Jenna Hunter, who finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, noted, “Mady was just on fire. It’s a real relief to be able to beat them, and we were ready for them.”
With one minute to go in the game, and Peotone in control holding a 63-57 lead, the Blue Devils put the finishing touches on this game. Hunter drove to the bucket and was fouled, making one free throw for a 64-57 lead. Moments later, Hunter was fouled again and then sank a pair of free throws to make it 66-57.
Blue Devil Madison Schroeder (10 points) intentionally was fouled, while driving to the basket and made a pair of free throws for a 68-57 advantage. Then Hunter followed with a bucket to seal the hard-fought victory.
When the horn sounded to end the game, the Peotone team was in full celebration mode, including jubilant senior Marissa Velasco, “We really needed those Mady (Kibelkis) treys. They gave us our momentum back. We just didn’t give up, although Prairie Central thought they had us.”
“Oh my goodness, it feels so good to beat them,” she continued. “I just get to keep playing with my friends.”
Following many photo opportunities with the Blue Devil team and the Class 2A Regional trophy, Peotone Coach Steve Strough was wearing a big smile. “We just showed the will and determination to beat them,” he said. “Mady hit some huge shots. They gave us the lead, and that helped us to win the game.”
