Chadwick guards Kerrigan Guerin and Rae Little and their Lady Cards teammates are ready to embark on a post-season trail they hope leads to the same kind of District championship celebration and Final Four berth they enjoyed last season.
The Lady Cardinals made their way all the way to the Class 1 championship game a year ago and would love to play for a state championship again.
“We want to do it all again,” Guerin said. “We're not a team that settles for a District championship. We want more than that. We've experienced it and know what it takes. We're confident, but not cocky. We are very sound-minded and we are not a lazy basketball team.”
"I had so much fun last year. I want to enjoy that again,” Little added. “I want us to get it done.”
Chadwick (18-5) will tip off Class 1 District 2 play at Mountain View-Liberty on Wednesday. The Lady Cardinals are the No. 1 seed.
They will rely on their defense. Chadwick opponents are averaging 30.6 points a game. Last season, the Lady Cardinals held teams to an average of 28.7 points a night.
“If our defense is good, I think we can get it done again,” Little said.
“Our (2-3) zone got us to the Final Four last year,” coach Shane Guerin said. “We know if we guard like we can, it gives us a shot every time.”
Chadwick’s District opponents are much stronger than a year ago, with the Lady Cardinals now paired with No. 2 seed South Iron (16-10), No. 3 seed Bunker (18-9) and No. 4 seed Couch (16-10).
Chadwick’s tournament trail beyond Districts could include a rematch with Delta (25-1). Last season, Chadwick edged Delta 56-54 in the Quarterfinal round.
“We understand Delta is a good team,” Kerrigan Guerin said. “They are one of the best teams in the state. They're a scary team and we'll know they will be out for blood."
The Lady Cardinals’ road to State could also include a rematch with Walnut Grove. Chadwick lost to Walnut Grove 48-37 two weeks ago.
Statewide, Class 1’s elite is very similar to last year. No. 1-ranked and defending state champion Meadville is 31-0 and has won 61 straight games over the past two seasons.
“If we could make a run, I think you could see three of the four teams you saw last year at the Final Four,” Shawn Guerin said. “It’s not going to be easy, but it's not supposed to be. Anything worth having, you've got to work for it. I didn't think our path last year was easy, but we conquered it. We'll stay focused and play it one possession at a time. We know what it takes.”
