May 21, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

SJO girls’ basketball makes lifetime memories with run to state

Shortly after the Class 2A girls’ basketball state championship game, the story made its rounds on social media.


And it wasn’t long before St. Joseph-Ogden Superintendent Brian Brooks started receiving messages.


When the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team approached Teutopolis after their 47-44 loss to Chicago Marshall this past Saturday night, it could have went a few different ways. This was the team that defeated SJO 50-31 in the state semifinals last Friday night at Redbird Arena in Normal.


What happened next, however, didn’t surprise anyone who really knows the team, which placed third at state after a 68-53 win over Hillsboro this past Saturday night.


“The messages said how appreciative they were of our girls consoling them in the tunnel after a tough loss,” Brooks said. “They were extremely appreciative. They used the word classy and class numerous times.”


Brooks said it would have been easy for the team to harbor ill feelings towards the Wooden Shoes — but that is not who the team is.


“It shows the type of kids we have,” he said.


Brooks also credited SJO coach Kevin Taylor with expecting the highest level of sportsmanship from the team.


Taylor, for his part, refused to take any credit.


“I have great assistant coaches and good parents are important as well,” he said. “It was a good run and I appreciate all the support. I will never forget it.”


Neither will the girls.


“I can’t even put into words how much I’ve loved this season and this team,” said freshman Payton Jacob. “I’ve been in awe so many times this season just thinking about the opportunity I’ve been given this year to be on this team.”


Junior Taylor Barnes said the community has played a role in the success.


“The community supports us a lot,” she said. “Even at away games. We wouldn’t have been able to get where we are without support from our fans.”


Freshman Abby Behrens said the focus of the team was to have a memorable season. Mission accomplished.


“It was always kind of a goal to have a special season and winning our conference helped to ensure that our season would be a special one,” she said.


Junior Hannah Dukeman said she could see the team’s potential from the start of the season.


“Every single girl has been willing to work their tail off since day one when we set our goals,” Dukeman said. “One being Redbird.”
Senior Peyton Crowe agreed.


“The chemistry is so good I believe because not only do we care about each other on the court but also off the court,” she said. “We always have each other’s backs.”


Senior Maclayne Taylor said the team chemistry is strong because the girls have similar personalities.


“Also, we all have had the same goals for the season,” she said. “We have worked hard, pushing each other every practice, making us come together more.”


Junior Katie Cramer said this was the most fun she has had playing basketball and when she reflects on the season years from now, she will never forget the memories they made.


“I will remember going to state the most,” she said. “We have all had the same goal of getting to state since the start of the season.”


Sophomore Payton Vallee said she realized last season that this current season would be special.


“I knew from the beginning of this season and even the end of last that there were a lot of great players coming back,” she said. “And our team chemistry was great.”


Sophomore Atleigh Hamilton said the team chemistry was a vital part of their success.


“I feel like we all get along pretty well,” she said. “We all have the same goals and drive and that really connects us. It gives us our chemistry.”


Senior Angela Palmer said she will never forget the memories she made on the team.


“Just getting to know my teammates and experience going to state is such an amazing opportunity,” she said.


Senior Erinn Miller echoed those sentiments.


“Obviously going to state is a once in a lifetime experience, especially because we are the only SJO girls team to have ever done so just makes it that much sweeter,” she said. “But another thing about this season was the team chemistry. Every practice and pregame and team bonding was so fun and I really feel like these girls, this year, have been closer than any other team I have played on.”

Banner
Related Posts

Spartans hope to raise the bar

August 27, 2021

August 27, 2021

By Jim Cotter St. Joseph-Ogden football hopes raise the bar this season.Last season, the Spartans finished 2-4. The Spartans are...

Get to know SJO Volleyball player Helene Jones

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? Everyone on the team is so close outside of volleyball, so...

Martinie, Frick propel SJO girls’ basketball in two straight wins

January 23, 2023

January 23, 2023

More losses than wins have unfolded so far this season for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team.But the...

5 Question Friday with Charlie Mabry

September 10, 2021

September 10, 2021

Every Friday we are going to ask an athlete to answer five questions. This week we talked to Charlie Mabry....

SJO baseball off to superb start

April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

High-scoring wins. Dominant pitching performances. Balanced hitting up and down the lineup. These are just some of the staples the...

Cohen, Seeley help guide SJO soccer to win

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

With less than two weeks left in the regular season, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team picked up a...

SJO falls to Charleston

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

—-CHARLESTON—- The St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans varsity football team traveled out of conference on Thursday night, and was defeated 56-14 by...

Izard, SJO boys’ basketball rolls in postseason opener

February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020

It wasn’t even close. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ basketball team picked the perfect time for its most lopsided...

Dukeman leads Spartans to victory

April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

Eight games. Eight wins so far for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. The Spartans carry an 8-0 mark...

Poe named male student-athlete of the month for August

September 20, 2019

September 20, 2019

Photo by Betty Lake Photography Eric Poe is a leader. St. Joseph-Ogden cross country head coach Jason Retz said Poe...

Jacob, Smith help SJO boys’ basketball stay unbeaten

December 15, 2023

December 15, 2023

It doesn’t seem to matter the team. Or the location. All the St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball team is doing through...

Ingram shines, but SJO football still seeking first win

September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021

Six wins are needed to automatically qualify a high school football team into the playoffs in Illinois. For St. Joseph-Ogden...

Three relays, three individuals move on to state for SJO boys’ track and field

May 21, 2019

May 21, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track and field team will have a solid contingent representing the Spartans at the...

SJO football rolls in season opener

September 2, 2019

September 2, 2019

The season couldn’t have started off on a better note for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team. Paced by...

Mattsey, Knott leading SJO boys’ track and field this spring

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

Almost a month into its first full outdoor season since 2019 and theSt. Joseph-Ogden boys’ track and field team has...

Comments
Leave a Reply