Nikki Kerstein scored a game-high 21 points, including five in the final 1:17, as banged-up Montini outlasted St. Ignatius 50-44 in the Class 3A state championship game on Saturday evening at CEFCU Arena in Normal. 

Montini senior Nikki Kerstein was named the Class 3A Player of the Year and Lyons senior Nora Ezike and Nazareth junior Stella Sakalas received Class 4A All-State recognition by Illinois Media on Tuesday.

Here is the 2024-2025 Suburban Life All-Area girls basketball team.

Lyons senior and Stanford recruit Nora Ezike, who averaged 21 points and 7 rebounds and led the Lions to a program record 31 wins and conference and regional titles, is the Suburban Life Player of the Year.

Gallery

Montini girls basketball defeated St. Ignatius to win the Class 3A state championship on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

All five Montini seniors played all 32 minutes of Thursday’s late night Class 3A state semifinal game.  Their reward? They will be playing for a state championship.

Gallery

Cissna Park defeated St. Edward 50-44 to win the Class 1A third place game on Friday, Mary 7, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Lady Timberwolves finish the season 30-5 and St. Edwards wraps up their season winning fourth place with a record of 26-10.

Gallery

Montini Catholic played Quincy Notre Dame on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Montini will play St. Ignatius College Prep for the Class 3A State championship on Saturday at 6p.m.

Montini senior guard and Missouri recruit Nikki Kerstein is set to finish her senior year on the same center basketball stage as she did her sophomore and junior seasons. This time, she hopes, with a different result.