March is here and the high school basketball season is almost over.
The local area saw three regional titles as Marissa-Coulterville won their own 1A girls championship, while the Trico boys also won a regional plaque on its home floor. Pinckneyville topped Sparta Friday night at Chester to add to its impressive list of regional titles.
This year was special for the Lady Meteors as the title was the first in school history and senior Kara Wine had to hit a last-second shot to win it.
Unlike a lot of professional athletes today, Wine didn’t celebrate in the other team’s face or try to rub in the victory. Instead, overcome with emotion, Wine found the player that was guarding her and embraced her, as she was fighting tears as well.
Everyone dreams of hitting a last-second game winner like Wine did, but it was refreshing to see how she handled the situation. Of course she was happy and excited about what she did, but she didn’t let it go to her head as she quickly thanked her coaching staff and her teammates.
The Marissa-Coulterville girls basketball season came to an end in the sectional semifinals, but the history this group of girls wrote will always be around.
It was easy to tell watching the fan support at both the Chester and Trico boys basketball regionals that this area may like its football, but it definitely loves its high school basketball.
The Pinckneyville Panthers and the Trico Pioneers will have their hands full come sectional time, but both squads deserve the recognition and the congratulations for a great season.
As these two teams try to rewrite their own athletic history and battle for a spot at Peoria, the local communities that take the ride with them can be proud on how their teams have played and been respectful in their victories.