Basketball Recap: Mather Triumphs

With a playoff win on the line, Mather rose to the challenge on Wednesday. They escaped with a win against the Lincoln Park Lions by the margin of a single free throw, 40-39. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Rangers have posted since December 18, 2024.

Kayrhianna Jackson

Steals

11/19/25 vs Illinois Math & Science Academy	10
01/14/26 vs Steinmetz College Prep	9
01/28/26 vs Lincoln Park	5
01/07/26 vs Rickover Naval	5
12/08/25 vs Intrinsic	5
+ 12 more games

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Mather to victory, but perhaps none more so than Kayrhianna Jackson, who posted 13 points and five steals. Jackson is becoming a predictor of the Rangers' success: when she posts at least five steals the team is undefeated (and 7-9 when she doesn't). Another player making a difference was Temilade Yesufu, who scored 15 points.

Mather's win bumped their record up to 12-9. As for Lincoln Park, their loss was their 13th straight on the road dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 2-22.

Mather and Lincoln Park could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps Illinois Rankings. The Rangers (ranked 436th) will meet Whitney Young (ranked 120th) at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Meanwhile, Lincoln Park will challenge Resurrection at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday with a big rank disadvantage (588 vs. 185).