NSCD’s dominant playoff run nets the program’s first sectional title

Seeing might be believing, but not in the moment Thursday for Reese Meyers.

The North Shore Country Day senior guard saw the scoreboard showing a significant Raiders’ lead, but considering the Raiders had never been in that spot, let alone won in that spot, Meyers, of Glencoe, remained zoned in with a couple minutes to go in an IHSA Class 1A sectional championship.

“In the final moments, I honestly wanted to do what I could to secure our win,” she said in a statement to NSCD. “We were ahead, but Rochelle Zell is a talented three-point shooting team, so they could put us in a tough position.

“Once we got to the last two or so minutes, I was in a state of disbelief and happiness. Our team has worked very hard, and I was simply shocked to be minutes away from winning it.”

When those minutes passed on Feb. 26 at Fenger High School in Chicago, the Raiders celebrated a 47-33 victory and the first sectional championship in program history.

The win came two days after NSCD’s first-ever sectional victory, a 52-27 win against Unity Christian, and the Raiders will look to keep the good times rolling at 6 p.m. Monday at Dundee-Crown High School with a supersectional matchup against Rockford Christian (24-11).

“I feel so proud of our players and our school. It means a lot to bring this to my alma mater — it’s something everyone can be proud of,” said Brendan Kolton, the Raiders first-year coach and a 2001 graduate of the Winnetka school. “This group has really put the girls program on the map and elevated it to a different level. You grow up dreaming of playing in and winning games like this, but for me to experience it as a coach is very special.”

NSCD is winners of 10 of its last 11 games, and Kolton said it was during the successful stretch that he saw a change in his squad.

“I noticed a shift in their mentality toward the final third of the season,” he said. “They started playing with much more focus and really turned up the intensity in practices and games. They came together and were very determined as a group to compete and win.”

The Raiders have kicked up another notch in the postseason.

In their four playoff wins, NSCD has outscored its opponents by 95 total points, an average of 24 points per win. The Raiders have allowed fewer than 30 points (28) per game in the playoff run.

Kolton said his team’s stubborn defense was key against Rochelle Zell.

“I think our intensity on defense made the difference,” he said. “We finished the second quarter on a big run, and I felt like we really took advantage of our speed. We were able to utilize our defense to create transition and fastbreak opportunities.”

The program firsts continue Monday in the supersectional, and with a win, the Raiders would advance to the Class 1A state finals (final four) at CEFCU Arena in Bloomington beginning on Thursday, March 5.

Meyers is taking it all in.

“I’m most excited for the chance to compete!” she said. “It’s my last season, and I’m excited to play with my team and enjoy the moment as much as possible.”

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