Sesser-Valier-Waltoville girls open sectional play tonight.

Steve Dunford-franklincounty-news.com

The Sesser-Valier-Waltonville Lady Red Devils open play this evening against the Breese Mater Dei knights, at the Johnston City Class 2A Sectional tournament with a 7:00 P.M. scheduled starting time.

The Devils come into tonight’s contest with a record of 25-1, with their only loss to Class 3A, and Southern Ilinois River to River Ohio Champions, Herrin.   They are currently ranked seven in the state in the latest Associated Press Class 2A Statewide Poll.

I talked to S-V-W coach Rick Metcalf and this is what he had to say about the Knights.  He said, “They are a guard oriented team with their top three scorers averaging in double figures.  They handle pressure defense very well.  They also run a Princeton style offense with a lot of back door cuts.  Breese Mater-Dei plays a tough schedule with a lot of 3A and 4A schools.

The Lady Devils are led by shooting Guard Jaylyn Haley and Hannah Garascia, who plays all over the floor for Coach Metcalf. Haley and Garascia both signed letters of intent to play for Rend Lake College next season.  I had the chance to talk to them about this a few days ago.

I asked both young ladies why they chose to go to Rend Lake. Garascia said, “Jaylin and I have grown to know each others tendencies and we push each other to make each other better! The

S-V-W’s Hannah Garascia left any Jaylin Haley right. (WSIL-TV file photo)

opportunity to play with Jaylin for a couple more years played a little part in my decision.”

Haley said. “It’s close to home, and I planned on going to RLC no matter what, so having the opportunity to play basketball there made it a no brainer. And I actually verbally committed before Hannah, but knowing she was probably going to sign there as well, definitely made it a perfect fit for me.”  She also mentioned she is taken that as an honor that her father, Scott played baseball for Rend Lake as well.

If you can not make it to tonight’s game, it will be carried on WXAN 103.9 FM or streaming on mysoutherngospel.net