Two seasons. Two regional championships. One truly happy team and coach.
After defeating Kennedy 58-17 on Feb. 20 in the Class 3A De La Salle Regional final, St. Laurence owns back-to-back regional titles in girls basketball under coach Claire Austin.
Overall, the Vikings have three regional championships on their resume with the first coming in 2018.
“This means everything,” Austin said. “Especially with the start to the season we had.
“The girls battled through a lot of adversity this season and this means a lot especially to the four seniors we have. We had two starters from last season out with injuries and two other starters graduated, so we only had one returning starter. … It’s good to see this group come through and earn it. It’s great to see their growth from Nov. 3 until now.”
Freshman Marlee-Michelle Coleman led St. Laurence (15-18) with 13 points. Angelina Kurylowicz joined her in double figures with 10 points, while Sienna Randall hit three 3-pointers to finish with nine points.
“The thing I like best is our team chemistry,” Coleman said. “I know they all have my back. There’s nothing to be nervous about, so I just go out and play my game.
“Winning the regional means a lot. I appreciate (my teammates). As a freshman, I didn’t think I’d connect with the girls so easily, but I have. I’m so grateful for them.”
Relying upon a diamond full-court press, the Vikings forced multiple turnovers by the Crusaders and led 16-3 after the first quarter. St. Laurence scored the first 16 points of the game with Coleman scoring on a steal and layup, a 3-pointer from the right wing and a rebound.
The second quarter began with a 12-0 Vikings run for a 28-3 advantage with 4:45 remaining in the first half.
Kurylowicz is one of four seniors on the St. Laurence roster.
“This is a joyful moment,” Kurylowicz said. “We’ve put so much hard work in. Our standard is what we have and our teamwork has helped us through all the ups and downs.
“This means so much to me because we have so much talent and hard work. As a senior, this means a lot to me because I’ve made a lot of memories and it’s all about the friendships and the memories. Every shot, every assist as a senior. … Our goal is to win the sectional and make it to state. That’d be a great memory.”
Kennedy, which finished 24-7, had eight points from Niema Adams and seven points from Brihanna Villa.
The Crusaders will return nine players from their first team to win 20-plus games in at least 15 seasons.
“I’m absolutely proud of this team,” Kennedy coach Ernesto Almaraz said. “We achieved some pretty big goals. I’m proud of the girls because they put in a lot of work all the way around.
“The result didn’t go our way, but they played their butts off and I’m definitely proud of them.”