PND rallies against Dee Mack to win Sectionals

Deer Creek-Mackinaw and Peoria Notre Dame was an instant classic in the sectional championship. It was a top 5 atmosphere that I've been a part of, and I've been to a lot of games. Back and forth action the whole way and it was a scrappy game. You could tell that both teams wanted it. 

The defending state champs, Peoria Notre Dame were down 5 with five minutes left and all the momentum was on Dee Mack’s side. PND came back and won 47-43. I talked to PND guard Emy Wardle about the team’s efforts to come back and win. “I think in the final minutes we really relied on our defense and got stops when we needed to get stops. Staying calm was really important for us especially in that environment and I think we did a good job of that down the stretch.”

Emy’s passing skills are incredible to watch in person. I asked her about how having a team full of shooters helps her game and the team's success. “I think I've always been a passer but knowing we have so many different people who can knock them down makes us a lot harder to guard. One of my favorite parts of the game is getting my teammates open and getting them shots and seeing them succeed but knowing I can also go get mine at some points of the game too.”

Peoria Notre Dame plays a tough opponent against Stillman Valley who are 32-1 on the season. Here is what Emy said about preparing for the postseason. “Preparation is the biggest thing when in the postseason. Preparation builds confidence so by watching film and practicing like we play it builds our confidence up so we will go into the game on Monday fully ready. Also trusting each other and everything we have done this season. We have been here before so by playing as a team it will help us win games.”

The Peoria Notre Dame Irish continue their postseason run and will try to win back to back state championships.