Basketball Recap: Phillips Snags Tenth Win in Last 11 Games

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Previous 4 Games

03/03/25 - Neutral	49-40 W
02/08/25 - Neutral	49-41 W
01/31/23 - Home	78-33 W
01/26/22 - Home	67-13 W

Phillips had already proven themselves in the regular season and they didn't miss a beat now that it's playoff time. They walked away with a 49-40 victory over the Crane Medical Cougars on Monday. Given the Wildcats' advantage in MaxPreps' Illinois basketball rankings (they are ranked 31st, while the Cougars are ranked 108th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Phillips can attribute much of their success to Kamaria Sephus, who posted 17 points and five boards. Makeemah Byrd was another key player, putting up seven points in addition to five rebounds and three steals.

Crane Medical's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Tiana Simmons, who earned nine points. Simmons is also on a roll when it comes to blocks, as she's now posted two or more in each of the last three games she's played. Another player making a difference was Chrishawnda Wright, who scored nine points.

Phillips is on a roll lately: they've won ten of their last 11 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 26-9 record this season. The loss snapped Crane Medical's winning streak at four games and leaves them with a 24-6 record.

Looking ahead, Phillips will challenge Nashville at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. Both teams are coming into the game red-hot, with Nashville sitting on 14 straight wins and Phillips on five. Crane Medical does not have any more games scheduled as of now.