Tuscola girls go 9-20, but make it to the regional championship before losing
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By Mike Monahan
TUSCOLA – It was an up and down season and mostly down for the Tuscola girls basketball team coached by Michael Rosenbaum. Yes, they finished 9-20, but they did reach the Class 1A regional championship against Tri-County at Shiloh High School in Hume. However, Tuscola lost 49-46 in overtime to Tri-County.
“It meant a lot to get to the regional championship,” said Rosenbaum. “It was no secret that we took our lumps this year, but it was a confidence boost for our girls that we were able to compete for a regional Championship. There were a lot of teams we went against this year that didnt’ get that opportunity.”
The first time the two teams played Tuscola won in another close battle, 45-42 on February 2 at Oakland with the Lady Warriors outsourcing the Lady Titans 14-11 in the final quarter to win.
“I would not say we did anything different that the first time, it was more just trying to emphasise things we did well in the first game, while doing our best of taking them out of where they found success against us.
At the end of the day, their kids made one or two more plays than we did, and that is the way the ball bounces sometimes. That being said, I can say without reservation that our girls left every ounce of effort they had on the floor that night (February 19).”
Tri-County lost to Mt. Pulaski in the sectional semifinals 65-36. Mt. Pulaski advanced to the Final Four with a 48-38 win over Edwards County Monday at Arcola’s Nancy Stiff Gymnasium.
Tuscola led 20-18 at the half in the regional title game, but Tri-County outscored the Lady Warriors 19-10 in the third to take a 37-30 lead. Tuscola answered in the fourth by outsourcing the Lady Titans, coached by Joe Morrisey, 13-6 to force the overtime.
Tuscola was 17-14 in 2024-25. The Lady Warriors had two seniors on the roster in Reese Davis and Hannah Kidwell.
Tuscola’s victories were against Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond, Arcola, Shelbyville, Warrensburg-Latham, Tolono Unity, Central A&M, Tri-County, Central A&M and Argenta-Oreana. The Lady Warriors lost from December 18 through January 8; a period of eight games, including all of the Monticello Holiday Hoopla games. Tuscola averaged just 36.3 points per game during that time and allowed an average of 50.4.
“My biggest takeaway this year is the fight and mental fortitude this group showed,” said Rosenbaum. “We got dead last in the Holiday Hoopla this season, and in less than two months we competed for a regional championship.”
Tuscola went 5-7 after the losing streak. The Warriors averaged 42.8 points per game for the season and allowed 48.3 points per game. Tuscola was 3-2 in the Central Illinois Conference and went 4-10 in games decided by 10 points or less.
As for Davis Rosenbaum said, “Reese was an excellent leader by example for us this year and also led us in most of our statistical categories as well. She was a catalyst for our offense as we tried to run a lot of what we did through her and let her make plays, either for herself or her teammates. She was a defensive pest for us as well guarding the other teams best best player or one of their primary ball-handlers. She will be tough to replace next year and it will probably require more than one person to do so.”
Both Kidwell and Davis played all four years.
“Hannah has been a huge part of our team the last four years,” said Rosenbaum. “She was the first kid I had ever seen be disappointed when practice was cancelled on a snow day. She lives and breathes the game and her effort and attitude in practice was infectious. Most importantly the amount of growth she has shown in four years is a great example for our girls and what it looks like if you truly dedicate yourself and give your best effort on a daily basis and show up. Last year’s junior varsity coach, Nic Bradshaw, said it best, ‘Hannah Kidwell is Warrior basketball’ and I can’t say it any better.”
After Christmas, this group could have folded and written the season off, but they chose to regroup, refocus and get back to work. They chose to come together and to continue to work and try and get better and improve themselves, and from there, the team. While we are disappointed we didn’t finish the season with a championship like we wanted to, I can’t be disappointed in the way we closed out the season, and I am not disappointed in the manner in which we went out; leaving everything we had on the court.”
Tuscola went 5-7 after the losing streak. The Warriors averaged 42.8 points per game for the season and allowed 48.3 points per game. Tuscola was 3-2 in the Central Illinois Conference and went 4-10 in games decided by 10 points or less.