Lady Raiders Place Third In State Basketball Finals

BOLINGBROOK, IL — For the first time in a decade, the Bolingbrook High School varsity girls' basketball team, the Lady Raiders, has placed in the state championships. The team took third at the IHSA State Finals tournament in Normal this weekend, a fact that fellow students, teachers and school district leaders took time to honor at Monday night's Valley View Board of Education meeting.

"It was a great season for us," head team coach Chris Smith said. "These girls put in countless hours both on the court and off the court to achieve such an award - finishing third in the state."

Word first broke that the team was headed to the finals last week, and even that news was historic in its own right. Not since 2011 has the Bolingbrook team qualified for the state championships. At the tournament itself, the team managed to secure third place in the 4A class by defeating the Lake Park High School team.

"I can't say enough about what this team did; what they accomplished and all the adversity they pushed through in order to make it down to the state tournament and come home with a third place trophy," Smith said.

At Monday night's meeting, the auditorium at Lukancic Middle School was packed with their friends and fans, and they cheered as Smith and district administration congratulated them on a season well-played.

While Smith stressed that every player on the team had contributed to the win, four girls in particular were recognized for being selected for the Illinois All-State Team. These were Seniors Jayden Marable, Danyel Middleton and Treasure Thompson, and Sophomore Kennedi Perkins.

Smith also thanked the school board, as well as the team's parents and friends, for what he said was their support for the team throughout the season.

"We say thank you to all the parents who supported us, the Bolingbrook community that supported us, and to our administration at Bolingbrook High School and the Valley View School Board. Thank you so much," Smith said.