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Senior Night at SHS
Sullivan celebrated senior night recognizing Kirsten O’Neill (left center) and Avery Still along with their families prior to Sullivan’s win over St. Teresa Monday night.

•February 5, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

After losing to St. Teresa in overtime in the championship game of the Central Illinois Conference Tournament Thursday, the Sullivan girls’ basketball team bounced back to defeated the Bulldogs in a regular-season CIC matchup on senior night Monday.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Redskins went into the half trailing 21-19.
The Bulldogs extended that lead to 35-31 heading into the fourth quarter.
Unlike in the championship game where Sullivan was able to grab the lead for good, the Redskins took a 41-39 lead after Lilly Null hit two layup drives.
St. Teresa tied the game with 2:10 left in the game.
Emily White knocked down a 3-pointer with just less than two minutes to play to retake the lead 44-41.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story. 

In their 2-3 zone defense, the Redskins caused a turnover after a long defensive stand, and Null was fouled driving to the basket.
After missing her second free throw, Null batted the rebound to Avery Still, who drove in for the score and 46-41 lead with 12 seconds left in the game.
The Bulldogs hit a 3-pointer with less than a second left, but Sullivan inbounded the ball for the 46-44 win.
“I am so proud of how these young ladies responded tonight after losing to St. Teresa in the championship game of the CIC tournament,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain. “Emily White had one of the best all around games I have seen her play all year both offensively and defensively. She led the team in all areas tonight except for rebounding, and Lilly Null did a great job for us there.”
White finished with 26 points, six steals and four assists.
Null collected 10 rebounds and eight points, and Still hit double-digit scoring with ten points.
“These girls are resilient and have found a way to battle back each and every night,” said McCain. “Senior night is always an emotional evening, and when you are playing a team like St. Teresa, it is even more emotional.”
Thursday in the CIC Tournament championship, Sullivan again had to make a comeback in the fourth quarter.
“I am very proud of the girls for fighting back in the 4th quarter,” McCain said. “We were down by as many as 13 going into the fourth and they found a way to take the lead. We couldn’t get off a good shot in regulation and the game went into OT.”
In overtime, Sullivan had a few key turnovers and a couple critical offensive rebounds that cost them late, and the Redskins fell short 52-50.
“Considering we didn’t shoot the ball well at all in the first half, I am glad they never gave up,” said McCain. “We have to learn from this and move forward because there may come a time in post season where we find ourselves in this same situation.”
White collected 18 points and five rebounds, and Still had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds to go with three assists.
Null scored nine points and Taylor Orris had five.
Last Tuesday, Sullivan picked up its 20th win of the season when they felled Tuscola 56-29 in the semi-final game of the CIC tournament.
Sullivan took a five-point lead in the first quarter and extended that lead in each remaining quarter for the 46-29 win.
“I was extremely proud of our girls effort tonight,” said McCain. “We started out a little rough as we turned the ball over eight consecutive times, but I knew they were playing a little tight. Once we relaxed and started executing our offense we were fine. Jerra did a fabulous job boxing out on the weak side tonight which prevented them from shooting extra shots.”
Still scored a game-high 21 points to go with 10 rebounds, and Taylor Orris added six points, five steals and 10 rebounds.
“Taylor Orris played a phenomenal defensive game,” said McCain. “Lilly Null led her team tonight and dished out nine assists while having seven steals and 10 deflections. Another great team win.”
The Redskins are now 21-5 on the season and 6-0 in the CIC.
Sullivan is set to play its last regular-season game at Tuscola for the CIC regular season championship Thursday.