By Gargoyle sports staff


Posted Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, The OG, girls basketball & sports

Jessi Sullivan rarely attempts 3-pointers in

games, but she's going strong in the IHSA

shootout. (Gargoyle photo) (click to enlarge)

[UPDATE: Jessi Sullivan was one of four players tonight at the Watseka sectional semifinal to qualify for the fourth round of the IHSA Class A Three-Point Showdown. The others were Amanda Vanetta, Unity; Lindsey Barron, St. Joseph-Ogden; and Stephanie Denius, Oakwood. Sullivan made seven 3-pointers. The next round will be held Thursday at the Watseka sectional final, barring any postponements due to snow.]

HER FELLOW ILLINEKS might be finished for the year, but sophomore Jessi Sullivan is still in action. Sullivan has made it through two rounds of the IHSA Class A Three-Point Showdown. Tonight she takes aim in the next round.

Although Uni and many other schools have already canceled classes for Tuesday, tonight's Watseka sectional semifinal game between St. Joseph-Ogden and Unity is still scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Assuming that remains the case, Sullivan will participate in the shootout before the game begins.

She advanced to the third round by making five treys Wednesday night at the Oakwood-Uni regional semifinal game, then making six the next night at the regional final between St. Joe and Oakwood. Both games took place at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

Sullivan's appearance in the shooting contest might surprise observers of this year's team.

“I really don't take any 3-pointers during the game because I'm actually really afraid to air-ball it in front of everybody,” Sullivan said.

The sophomore forward is known more for her tenacious rebounding skills and all-around tough play than her long-range shooting. But when the Illineks held their own shoot-off to determine who would participate in the IHSA contest, Sullivan and classmate Kaylie Dastrup decided to give it a shot.

“Kaylie and I thought it would be fun just to try,” she said. “The first time, Ruth [Welch], Aran [Yoo], Rachel [Skoza] and I all made two, so we had to have a second shoot-off, and I made nine, so I was through. I was really happy, but when we got to SJ-O, I was so nervous.”

Sullivan was one of four players to advance to the third round out of the St. Joseph regional. The others were Lindsey Barron of SJ-O, who led the field with seven treys; Erin Henk of Hoopeston, six; and Stephanie Denius of Oakwood, six.

“It's pretty nerve-racking when you're the only one out there, and you don't really know how much time you have left,” Sullivan said. “I don't really have any techniques, I just try to relax and shoot my best. I try to watch and see where my shot goes, and see if I can correct it the next time.”

RELATED

— IHSA coverage: Showdown results from the second round, Feb. 8 (see SJ-O vs. Oakwood)

— IHSA coverage: Results from tonight's showdown