General – Loyola Junior Guard Obre Galvan on Saturday night raised his first dishonesty in a tight class 4A state championship game.
A undetermined season was in line for Ramblors. The pressure was clear.
And Galvan was smiling.
“I just believe in myself,” he said. “I knew that it was not really a factor in things, and then everyone was trying to get into my head. It was fun for me.”
Galvan was the last laugh, as Loyola remained unbeaten by holding Nazreth 44–40 in the CEFCU region of Illinois State.
The Ramblers (38–0) joined Lincoln (38–0), who won the 3A title, as the first girls’ basketball teams of the first girls to be undefeated since the Main West 4A went 35–0 in 2018-19, and they set a state record for most of the win winnings in a season. Loyola also prevented Nazreth (32–4) from becoming the first team in state history to win the 3A title, as was done a season earlier, and a year later winning 4A.
“Every game, everyone showed and showed,” Galvan said. “This is the best feeling in the world.”
The 5 -Foot -6 galvan ended with 15 points. Senior Guard Paigi Engels scored a game-high 17 points for Loyola, and Senior Guard Kelcy Langston added seven points and four rebounds.
Nazreth’s Stella Sakalas, Right, Saturday, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, CEFCU seems to pass against Loyola during the Class 4A State Championship game. (Vincent D. Johnson / Pioneer Press)
Senior Forward Olivia Austin and Sophomore Guard Stella Sakalas scored 16 points for Nazreth, and Senior Guard Daniel Skli did a team-high five rebound.
Galvan is not afraid of shooting, and this boldness was a catalyst for Rambliers in the third quarter as he dropped Nazreth from 15–2. It consisted of 3-pointer of Galvan with 4:34 from NBA distance, giving Loyola a lead, it did not sacrifice.
“I think it all came from Haftime,” he said. “We all had trust in each other. I think we all had heart in that second half. ,
Loyola coach Jeremy Shanekar said that the season actually began for Loyola in early June, when Galvan began playing a summer league with her new colleagues after Galvan was transferred from Dearfield.
“He and Pagi played AAU Basketball together,” said Sconkar. “When Obre decided to move out of dearfield, we talked to him. … ‘Hey, Pagi, what kind of person is he?’ ,
Galvan helped lead Dearfield in the 3A state semi -finals a year ago. It is not easy to step into a new position on an established team.
“We were bringing our entire team back from last year,” said Sconekar. “It was one of the things where she fits immediately.”
Loyola’s Obre Galvan, Right, Saturday, CEFCU on March 2, 2024 in CEFCU Arena in Class 4A State Championship game celebrates Nazareth with teammates after defeating Nazareth. (Vincent D. Johnson / Pioneer Press)
Engels agreed that Galvan adjusts quickly.
“When she came here, we all welcomed her openly,” Angels said. “He was so openly forged with us. This was our first summer league game, boom, it was clicked.
“She is smiling after a dishonesty. We are just fun out there. We like to play together and live together, and that’s why we are very successful. ,
Galvan quickly showed the game early in the game that she would be an aggressive factor. In the first quarter, he hit a midrange floater, and after a paste by Austin, Galvan added a jumper to the glass and then another jumper in the lane.
Galvan shooting continued Beat for Rambars, even when Nazreth took a 25–17 halftime lead.
“I know when I have to grow my game a little,” he said. “There were some big shots. But this is a team’s effort. They got the ball from me, and I got shots. ,
Loyola’s Kelsey Langston (22) reacted after winning the Class 4A State Championship game against Nazreth on Saturday, 2 March 2024 at CEFCU Arina. (Vincent D. Johnson / Pioneer Press)
Given that Loyola has seven seniors – Angels, Langston and Forward Julia Gamboa, All Starters – Galvan has the opportunity to grow in the role of that leadership.
She is already talking like a leader.
“The team trusts me, and I believe in the team,” he said. “This is nothing.”
Greg Was is a freelance reporter.