By Dennis Bowling
Peotone’s exceptional junior Madison Schroeder played the best game of her career, however, time just ran out for the Blue Devils on February 23, as Fieldcrest eliminated Peotone, 68-64, in three very exciting overtime sessions, to win the Class 2A title game of the Coal City Sectional in Coal City.
Although Peotone’s eight-game winning streak was snapped, the Blue Devils finished their season with an amazing 31-2 record. Fieldcrest (30-3) will advance and play in the Class 2A Peotone Supersectional.
Schroeder, a 5-foot-10 outstanding guard, registered a team-high 23 points, which included an unbelievable trey at the close of the fourth quarter. The basket tied the score at 42-all, forcing the first of three overtime sessions.
Schroeder, in the first overtime, scored four points. Fieldcrest had a 49-48 lead. The Blue Devils Jenna Hunter had a basket for a 50-49 lead. Peotone Addie Graffeo made one free throw to tie the count at 51-all. Right before the close of the first overtime, Schroeder sprained her left ankle.
In the second overtime, while Schroeder was out, Hunter raised her level of play, scoring a basket for a 53-51 lead. Hunter made a single free throw to make it 54-53. Hunter made another basket for a 56-55 advantage.
Schroeder came back into the game and did not miss a beat. She made a pair of free throws for a 58-55 lead. Moments later, she made a bucket, to make it 60-55. Graffeo added a single free throw for a 61-59 advantage. Fieldcrest tied the game at 61-all to force the third overtime.
In the third overtime, the Knights outscored the Blue Devils by a 7-3 count, for the 68-64 win. Schroeder and her best friend, Hunter (16 points, 10 rebounds), each helped Peotone to play at a high level during the three overtimes.
“Jenna is great to play with on the court,” said Schroeder. “I just took over the game during the first and second overtimes and wanted to help us to keep it going. This was a special year for us.”
Peotone Coach Steve Strough felt that Schroeder played a great game.
“Madison is really tough,” he said. “She showed that. They just got in the last punch.”
“That is the hard thing,” he continued. “The seniors have all had great careers. We just could not close it out.”
“Marissa (Velasco) made some great shots, and I was so proud of her effort. Jenna (Hunter) can really turn it on,” he continued. “We just kept hanging in there and played our best.”
Hunter, a girl basketball and soccer standout, reflected what it was like to play with best friend Schroeder, “Madison is the best player I have ever played with. She just did what she needed to do to keep us in the game.”
“We had a great year,” she remarked. “We finished with a 31-2 record and were able to experience that. This was the best season ever.”
The Blue Devils Velasco had nine points and 10 rebounds.
“We gave it all that we had,” she said. “We kept fighting and fighting. That was just pure determination. Madison kept pushing, while Jenna helped to pull us through. She was able to get some big scores when we needed them.”
Peotone Madyson Kibelkis finished with seven points and praised the play of Schroeder.
“Madison is a very tough player,” she said. “We just could not get the lead in the third overtime. I am very proud to be a member of this team. It was pretty awesome.”
The season is over for the Blue Devils, but they will all have outstanding memories of a great season.
