In the playoffs, records don’t matter. The dominating season the Wildkits had was in the past. Both teams were there for one reason: to perform on the big stage. The work that was put in throughout the season would be on full display. On February 28th, 2025, a Regional champion would be named.
A determined #1-ranked Evanston team was back at it again for the Regional Finals this Friday. After an easy win against #15 Leyden in the regional semi-finals, the Kits faced off against #7 Highland Park in the Giants’ own gym. With the home-court advantage, the Giants fans packed the arena, creating a difficult atmosphere for the Kits. But not to worry, the Kit-Pit also showed up, in a big way, representing Evanston. While the Wildkit fans may have been a smaller bunch than Highland Park’s, they brought the same, if not more, energy to the big playoff game.
“When they’re here, I don’t think they realize, but they make a huge difference in our energy,” said sophomore Tate Schroeder on the Evanston fans that made the trip.
Highland Park played their hearts out, but the Kits proved why they were the #1 seed, winning 64-32. This win not only made Evanston Regional champions but also advanced the Kits to sectionals, making them one step closer to State.
The game started with both teams struggling to find an open shot, as each had strong defenses. Highland Park played a mix of man and zone defense that stifled the Kits’ offense early on. But when shots weren’t going in for Evanston, they relied on rebounding, scoring their first five points off of offensive boards. Rebounding was key to Evanston’s success throughout the entire night, as the Kits outrebounded the Giants by 15 in the game.
“We can’t let zone defense impact our ability to be aggressive on the boards. It’s got to be one of our opportunities to score,” explained Ellis.
At around the 3-minute mark in the first quarter, Kaidan Chatham got the Evanston fans going, intercepting a pass and slamming an impressive dunk. However, whenever the Kits scored, Highland Park continued to answer back. The Giants were exceptional from beyond the arc, scoring 9 of their 11 points from the three-point line. As the quarter wound down, a Vito Rocca three gave the Wildkits a narrow 3-point lead heading into the second.
With Evanston typically leading big early in games this season, the anxiety in the building was palpable as the Kits had not jumped out to the fiery start they normally do.
The Kits’ game style continued to be chaotic in the 2nd, but they were able to refine their play in a way that would change things going forward. The defense was dominant in the second, not allowing the Giants to make a single field goal.
Charged by Ellis’s decision to sub in the young Schroeder, the momentum began to shift. Schroeder started the quarter by hitting back-to-back threes, extending the Wildkits’ lead to 11, and followed it up with an aggressive block on defense.
“I was put into a position where I was able to succeed, so thanks to my coaches for that. And then my teammates are just always so encouraging. I think they gave me a little bit more confidence to knock down those shots,” said Schroeder.
The Kits would go into the locker room with a 13-point lead.
Coming out of the gates at halftime, a sloppy stretch where the Kits turned the ball over five times in five minutes frustrated Ellis, who knew this team could do better.
“I just had to look at them during the timeout and ask them if we are going to be a 32-turnover team,” explained Ellis.
Despite the turnover issue, the Kits still managed to put up a solid number of points. Theo Rocca made a pair of threes, while Vito Rocca and Ian Peters charged to the hoop to get a pair of easy layups. This surge put Evanston up 40-22 at the end of the third.
The Kits led the Giants by 18 heading into the 4th, but this game was not over yet. To start the fourth, senior Alex Kriser sank an open three, giving Highland Park fans some hope. However, the Kits silenced the crowd, going on an 11-0 run, highlighted by a deep three from sophomore Dion Lane.
As the final whistle blew, a celebration ensued with the Kits cutting down the nets in Highland Park, but Evanston knew the job was unfinished.
“It means we go to practice tomorrow. That’s what winning regionals means,” said Ellis.
The competition will only get tougher from here for the Kits as they head to sectionals. Evanston will travel to Winnetka on Tuesday to face off against a very good Lane Tech team, who just dominated New Trier in their regional final.
