Southland teams brace for postseason

The postseason is under way, and rematches between Southland rivals loom from the start.

The first is slated for Tuesday, when Stagg (20-5) and Andrew (20-5) collide in a Class 4A Andrew Regional semifinal.

On Dec. 11, Stagg’s defense clamped down on the Thunderbolts in a 41-22 victory that helped the Chargers to a 7-0 start in the SouthWest Suburban Red.

When the two teams met Jan. 22, Andrew turned the tables, riding 16 points and 13 rebounds from Molly Franson in a 42-31 win that threw the conference race into a three-way tie among the Thunderbolts, Stagg and Lincoln-Way North.

Stagg, thanks to a 25-point night by Revi McMahon, ultimately claimed the league crown via a 50-32 victory Thursday over Lincoln-Way North.

The favorite at the Andrew Regional is No. 1 Marian Catholic (26-1), which Saturday wrapped the undisputed East Suburban Catholic Conference title with a 73-49 win over Fenwick.

Another potential rivalry rematch is on the table at the Class 3A Hillcrest Regional, where the No. 6 host Hawks (20-5) could meet Rich South (20-5) in Thursday’s final.

On Nov. 21, Rich South shocked Hillcrest in championship game of the Rich South Galaxy behind tournament MVP Tierra Webb. The title was Rich South’s first since 1991, and ended a seven-year reign at the Galaxy by Hillcrest.

A little more than a month later, Hillcrest got its revenge in the semifinals at the Hillcrest Holiday Classic, beating the Stars 65-59 as Dana Gettis scored 35 points.

Most recent, the Hawks completed a 13-0 run in the South Suburban Conference with a 73-36 win over T.F. South.

No. 2 Mother McAuley (20-6) is the favorite at the Class 4A Eisenhower Regional, which also has in the field No. 7 Homewood-Flossmoor and formerly ranked Crete-Monee. No. 3 Marist is competing at the Class 4A Thornwood Regional, which also includes No. 9 Lincoln-Way North and No. 10 Oak Lawn.

No. 4 Morgan Park is the top seed at the Class 3A Thornridge Regional, while No. 5 Bloom heads the field at the Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional.