NORMAL, Ill. – The coach’s daughter delivered one of the biggest moments in Peoria Notre Dame Irish history.
Freshman Emy Wardle scored the go-ahead basket with one second left in the Illinois High School Association Girls Basketball Class 2A state championship game, defeating Nashville 48-46.
Emy is the daughter of Bradley men’s basketball coach Brian Wardle. Her sister, Mya, is a senior on the team, and an Eastern Kentucky commit for next year.
Emy led all scorers with 18 points, while Mya scored 10. Emma Behrmann led the way for the Hornets with 14 points.
After the game, Emy told 25 News that before the final shot, it was her older sister who wanted the ball in Emy’s hands.
“Her confidence in me to do that as a freshman, first time in State with her, it just shows how much that she trusts our team,” Emy Wardle said.
The other Peoria-area team playing for a state championship fell short with a tall task at hand. Illini Bluffs of Glasford fell in the Class 1A title game to defending state champion Okawville, 48-36.
The Lady Tigers led at the half by one, but a 17-6 3rd quarter advantage for Okawville put the game out of reach.
Annabelle Fortin led Illini Bluffs with 13 points, with Lily Luczkowiak scoring 12. All-state 1st teamer Alayna Kraus scored 33 for Okawville.
Lincoln finished an undefeated 38-0 season by claiming the Class 3A title over conference-foe Chatham Glenwood, 60-44. Kloe Froebe led all scorers with 36 points.
Loyola Academy also finished an undefeated season in Class 4A, defeating last year’s 3A champion, Nazareth Academy, 44-40.
🏀2⃣0⃣2⃣4⃣ #IHSA GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS🏆
⁰CLASS 2⃣A | STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
🍀 Peoria Notre Dame 4⃣8⃣
🐝 Nashville 4⃣6⃣⭐️PND-Emy Wardle (18 pts, GW shot w/ 1.3 seconds)
🥇🥈 Notre Dame wins Class 2A state championship, Nashville 2nd.
🔗Box▶️https://t.co/8VREIzwN8g pic.twitter.com/7S0v8XPCEY
— Illinois High School Association #IHSA (@IHSA_IL) March 2, 2024
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