By Bobby Narang
The Montini girls high school basketball team is back.
Well, at least back on top of the mountain.
After an illustrious run, during the Jason Nichols’ era, the Broncos endured some ups and downs the last few years.
But Saturday, March 8, the Broncos restored some of their luster with an inspiring 50-44 victory over St. Ignatius in the Class 3A state championship game at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Broncos (27-10) captured their first State crown since 2014 after losing in the 4A title game in 2018 and finishing in third place last season in 3A.
Montini coach Shannon Spanos credited her six seniors, led by guard Nikki Kerstein, for leading the way to the program’s fifth State championship.
“These six seniors, it’s just a special group,” Spanos said. “They were my first class when I took over as the coach. They stuck together and I’m so proud of them.”
Kerstein, who transferred to Montini after her sophomore season at Deerfield, racked up 15 of her game-leading 21 points in the second half to spark the Montini Broncos against St. Ignatius. The Missouri recruit capped her stellar career by nailing five of her 12 free throws in the final 77 seconds to seal the 12th state trophy for Montini.
For Kerstein, the state title was a source of retribution. After forming a dynamic tandem with Loyola senior guard Aubrey Galvan, a Vanderbilt recruit, for her first two seasons, but losing both 3A State games in their sophomore seasons, Kerstein added her first State title. Last season, in her first season at Loyola, Galvan was a sparkplug in the Rambers’ run to the Class 4A State championship.
Now, it was Kerstein’s turn. She made 12 of 13 free throws to cap a stunning performance to knock off St. Ignatius (32-5) in its first state finals trip.
“They were a tight-knit group when I got here,” Kerstein said of the Broncos. “But I was able to fit right in. We really are all best friends.”
In Class 4A, Kenwood defeated Frend 65-44 to end the girls basketball season. The Broncos (35-3) won the first state title in any sport in Kenwood history, led by 24 points from star Danielle Brooks. The Vikings were dealing with an emotional season after the shocking death of former coach Dave Yates last summer due to glioblastoma multfornme.