Home

Basketball State Champions Get Their Rings!

The Special Celebration Commemorate an Incredible Season!
MONTINI CATHOLIC​'S 2025 BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONS RECEIVE THEIR RINGS AT SPECIAL CEREMONY
 
Montini Catholic Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Shannon Spanos and her 2025 State Champion Broncos reunited on Friday, October 10th, for a special celebration as they received their long-awaited championship rings. The event was filled with Bronco pride​ as players, coaches, and families came together to commemorate the team’s incredible season and well-deserved 3A State Championship victory. The ​special night served as both a reflection on their hard work and a reminder of the unforgettable moments that led to their championship success.

​"​Our Montini Ring Ceremony was a truly memorable evening​,​" said Coach Spanos.  "Having all six of our graduating seniors return to receive their rings, alongside our current players and new families, made the night even more special. It was a true reflection of the pride, tradition, and strong sense of community that defines Montini ​Girls Basketball. It was a night to honor the past while celebrating ​o​ur bright future​!​"
 
​D​uring their 2024-25 season, Montini's Broncos​ came out​ extremely strong while facing tough opponents and having one of the most difficult schedules in the state. In the very competitive GCAC conference the Broncos ended up in 3 rd place​ and celebrated three All-Conference​ selections – ​seniors Nikki Kerstein, Peyton Farrell and Lily Spanos.
 
​On their road to the ​f​inal four​ the team continued ​t​heir command by winning the Regional Title for the 21st year in a row​​ and went on to w​in the Sectional Title ​b​y defeating Trinity and Depaul Prep. ​The girls then defeated Grayslake Central in the Super Sectional game by 6 points.​  Montini ​then headed to Illinois State to participate in the 3A State Finals at CEFCU Arena on March 6​, 2025​ and captured the IHSA State trophy with a win over St. Ignatius​,​ ending the ​spectacular season 27-10 and​ with the 3A State Champ​s​hip title!

Most Notable Individual Accolades:
• The IBCA recognized Nikki Kerstein (IBCA All-State 1st Team).
• Peyton Farrell earned IBCA All-State 2nd Team honor and Lily Spanos​ earned IBCA All-State Honorable Mention honor.
• Nikki Kerstein reached 2,195 career points this season (1st in program​ history). Nikki was nominated for Gatorade Player of the Year and​ Ms. Illinois Basketball

​Image: Front row l to r:  Kaelyn Zumdahl '28, Sophia Maquet '27, Nikki Kerstein '25, Natalie Gartlan '25, Ava Lombardi '26, Brooke D'Amico '27, Juliana Neustadt '26; Second row l to r: Cedona Barrett '27, Anne Paciga '28 , Peggy Pacelli '28, Miley Brunski '26, Audrey Kinney '25, Peyton Farrell '25, Lauren Mellish '25 and Lily Spanos '25;
Back