Even after semifinal loss, Raiders recognize significance of return trip to state tournament

NORMAL, Ill. — CEFCU Arena has become quite the familiar place for Sage Stratton, but the significance of playing in three state tournaments in four years is not lost on the Quincy Notre Dame senior guard.

“I wish everybody could have this experience,” said Stratton, who helped the Raiders win a Class 2A state championship in 2022 and finish third in 2023 before leading the Raiders to the final four again this season. “It’s like no other. It’s amazing to be out on that court and get that college feel.”

Jenna Durst, who was a freshman on that 2022-23 team, also understands the significance of returning to the state tournament.

“I’m just really grateful to be back in this position,” Durst said. “There are only four teams who have gotten to do it, and I’ve done it twice in my high school career, so I’m really grateful and proud of the team for us all getting here. I’m just really proud of us and thankful I’ve gotten to do this.”

The same goes for junior forward Tristan Pieper, who said QND’s 50-41 loss to Lombard Montini in Thursday’s Class 3A semifinal game does not diminish what the Raiders have accomplished.

“Not many teams get to say that they made it here, let alone twice,” Pieper said. “I think we have a lot to be proud of, whether the outcome today or tomorrow is what we want. Just being able to make it here is a huge accomplishment for us.”

Junior guard Ari Buehler is also trying to make the most of her second trip to the final four.

“It’s something not a lot of people get to experience, for sure,” Buehler said.

That is why the Raiders are soaking up every moment together, whether that is running out of the tunnel as one or going on a trip to the mall to kill some time before an 8:15 p.m. tipoff.

“You focus on the winning and losing, but it’s really about the relationships and the bonds you have with each other off the court,” Stratton said. “The past two days, we’ve really bonded and gotten close. We’ve all just enjoyed being with each other. We’re just spending as much time as we can with each other.”

For Stratton, Friday’s third-place game against Washington will provide one last chance for her to take the floor with her best friends.

“It definitely has hit me a little bit,” Stratton said. “I just love these girls so much. It’s hard to think about it, but I’ll give it my all one last time with these girls.”

Buehler has the utmost confidence in the Raiders’ chances to end yet another season with a win.

“We’ll do it,” Buehler said. “We all want it, so we’ll get it done.”

Whatever the result, no one can take away this trip or the memories made on it.