Girls basketball: Brimfield, Neoga, Serena and Galena – a pregame look at Class 1A’s Final Four

Here is a look at the statistics of the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals Class 1A Final Four.

Semifinals will be held Thursday at Redbird Arena in Normal, with Brimfield playing Neoga at 10 a.m., followed by Serena versus Galena at 11:45 a.m.

The semifinal losers play in the third-place game Thursday evening, while the winners play for the state championship at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Brimfield

Record: 29-4

Nickname: Indians

IHSA enrollment: 221.5

Conference: Intercounty Athletic

Head coach: Maribeth Dura (139-38)

Winning streak: 11 games

Scoring leaders: Ella Lune 19.8 ppg, Elynn Peterson 11.9 ppg, Sophie Bedell 8.5 ppg

Rebounding leaders: Ella Lune 8.8 rpg, Sophie Bedell 5.7 rpg

Assists leaders: Elynn Peterson 4.6 apg, Ella Lune 3.2 apg

Path to Redbird: Defeated Annawan, 67-39, for AlWood Regional title, defeated Mendon Unity, 56-40, for Brimfield Sectional title, defeated Okawville, 45-42, for Brown County Supersectional title

State Finals history: 4th in 2009 (1A)

In a sentence: Led by the Eastern Illinois University signee Ella Lune – a 6-foot wing and multi-sport athlete – the Indians have a strong supporting cast and had not been challenged before their supersectional squeaker since their last loss, a 53-43 decision to Peoria Notre Dame back on Jan. 22.

Neoga

Record: 28-7

Nickname: Indians

IHSA enrollment: 193

Conference: National Trail

Head coach: Kim Romack (179-110)

Winning streak: 6 games

Scoring leaders: Sydney Richards 14.6 ppg, Haylee Campbell 7.8 ppg, Avery Fearday 6.9 ppg

Rebounding leaders: Haylee Campbell 8.7 rpg, Sydney Richards 7.4 rpg

Assists leaders: Avery Fearday 4.4 apg, Sydney Richards 2.0 apg

Path to Redbird: Defeated Altamont, 48-32, for Altamont Regional title, defeated Effingham St. Anthony, 48-42, for Tuscola Sectional title, defeated Goreville, 50-48, for Wayne City Supersectional title

State Finals history: First appearance

In a sentence: Avery Fearday, Haylee Campbell and Sydney Richards make for a potent triumvirate, with Richards the leader after scoring 11 third-quarter points Monday to lead her team back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit to upset perennial powerhouse Goreville.

Serena

Record: 33-2

Nickname: Huskers

IHSA enrollment: 212

Conference: Little Ten

Head coach: Jim Jobst (79-34)

Winning streak: 29 games

Scoring leaders: Katie Baker 17.2 ppg, Paisley Twait 8.9 ppg, Makayla McNally 8.1 ppg

Rebounding leaders: Makayla McNally 6.1 rpg, Paisley Twait 3.8 rpg

Assists leaders: Katie Baker 5.1 apg, Paisley Twait 2.2 apg

Path to Redbird: Defeated Marquette, 45-30, for Midland Regional title, defeated Newark, 49-27, for Hinckley-Big Rock Sectional title, defeated Ridgeview, 46-34, for Serena Supersectional title

State Finals history: First appearance

In a sentence: Katie Baker is as good an all-around player as will be taking the floor Thursday, and the team’s other starters – Paisley Twait, Jenna Setchell, Makayla McNally and Reese Cole – have jelled into a strong complement for a team whose only losses were to 3A Ottawa and 2A state qualifier Fieldcrest, both in November.

Galena

Record: 31-3

Nickname: Pirates

IHSA enrollment: 232.5

Conference: Northwest Upstate Illini

Head coach: Jamie Watson (227-98)

Winning streak: 15 games

Scoring leaders: Gracie Furlong 12.9 ppg, Addie Hefel 11.1 ppg, Maggie Furlong 7.6 ppg

Rebounding leaders: Maggie Furlong 6.0 rpg, Addie Hefel 4.3 rpg

Assists leaders: Addie Hefel 2.5 apg, Gracie Furlong 2.3 apg

Path to Redbird: Defeated Eastland, 47-32, for Eastland Regional title, defeated Stockton, 46-38, for Forreston Sectional title, defeated Chicago Hope Academy, 55-25, for Hoffman Estates Supersectional title.

State Finals history: First appearance

In a sentence: Much like Serena, the balanced Pirates – with four players averaging between 7 and 13 points per game – haven’t been defeated in a long time, since Jan. 17 to Class 2A Byron, led by freshman phenom Gracie Furlong.