Girls Basketball notes: NIU recruit Shannon Blacher, Montini excited to host another loaded tournament field

Montini's Shannon Blacher (left) and Victoria Matulevicius

Great holiday memories for Montini senior Shannon Blacher include attending her school’s annual Christmas tournament since second grade.

“It’s just really awesome because I’ve been dreaming of playing in it since so long,” said Blacher, a Northern Illinois recruit. “It’s so fun to watch and even more fun to play in.”

This season’s 16-team tournament that ran Dec. 27-30 again featured a powerful field that included defending Class 3A state runner-up Nazareth (10-1), West Suburban Conference Silver front-runners Lyons Township (10-1) and York (9-2), Montini (8-2), St. Francis (8-3), Neuqua Valley (8-5), Burlington Central (7-4), St. Charles East (5-5), Whitney Young (8-3), Trinity (8-3) and Morgan Park (12-4). The tournament website is montinichristmastourney.com.

“It’s really a family atmosphere. People stay for all of the games and are able to see some nice high school girls basketball. It’s a really intimate atmosphere,” Montini coach Shannon Spanos said.

Montini finished 3-1 in last year’s tournament, which was altered after a few teams dropped out because of COVID-19 protocols. This season’s Broncos are coming off beating Deerfield 55-49 Dec. 13 and Mother McAuley 54-36 Dec. 17 after a 41-37 loss at Loyola Academy on Dec. 7, their second four-point defeat.

Blacher (14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds a game, 20 3-pointers, 32 assists) and junior Victoria Matulevicius (14.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg) are Montini’s leading scorers. Other starters are sophomore Rhea Caver (10.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg), junior Alyssa Epps (6.6 ppg) and senior Allie Helm (7.1 ppg), a transfer from Lake Park.

With Helm out injured Dec. 17, sophomore Peyton Farrell contributed five threes.

Matulevicius has become the regular point guard, the position she plays for Lithuania’s 16U national team.

“I have a bigger role in leading our team,” Matulevicius said. “We’ve had a few downs but we’re building from them and getting better every day.”

Throughout this month, Montini varsity players have worn winter-themed warmup tops designed by Blacher and provided by her mother, Pam Brosnan.

Falcon Classic

Wheaton North senior Eden Pearson is grateful to play in her final Wheaton North Bill Neibch Falcon Classic.

On Nov. 30, Pearson rejoined the Falcons’ lineup after undergoing ACL knee surgery March 9 following a Jan. 22 injury that sidelined her for the postseason.

“We have a bunch of games over break and it’s fun to be playing in the morning, afternoon and we don’t have to worry about school,” Pearson said. “It’s kind of exciting to play against people you’re not normally playing against. I love that they come to play here. You also get to watch a lot of games.”

The 16-team tournament ran Dec. 26-29. Defending champion Glenbrook South was the No. 1 seed. Other seeds were No. 2 Waubonsie Valley (10-1), No. 3 Glenbard South (10-1), No. 4 Downers Grove North (10-3), No. 5 Palatine (7-5), No. 6 Schaumburg (7-7), the No. 7 Falcons (7-6) and No. 8 West Aurora (5-6). Also competing were Willowbrook, Hinsdale Central, Glenbard North, Bartlett, Elk Grove and Elgin.

New Wheaton North coach Tyler Bantz previously coached DeKalb, which runs a Martin Luther King Jr. tournament in January.

“[With Wheaton North athletic director Matt Fisher], when we host something, he makes sure it’s the best of the best,” Barnz said. “I haven’t had to do much, just send communication with the teams.”

Last season’s Falcons lost in the championship game to Glenbrook South 57-48. Pearson was among three Falcons who missed the title game because of COVID-19 protocols. Fortunately, all tournament games were broadcast on the NFHS Network.

“Me and all of my teammates were on a FaceTime call and watching. That was kind of fun,” Pearson said.

This season, sophomore Sara Abdul (2021 all-tournament team) and junior Zoe Bohmer are the Falcons’ leading scorers. Other standouts are junior defensive catalyst Mira Spillane, senior post Sophia Fadel and sophomore Anna Leicht.

Bartz praised Pearson for her court energy and ability to attack the lane.

“I had a great doctor and [physical therapists] in my recovery. I’ve had a lot of confidence in coming back, which initially was my main concern,” Pearson said.