In what Poly girls’ basketball coach Carl Buggs described as a “very physical game,” the Jackrabbits prevailed in the second round of the Nike Tournament of Champions, advancing to the semifinals of the winner’s bracket with a 58-54 win over Christ the King. 

Christ the King’s best post player and top shooting guard combined for 37 points, and Buggs was less satisfied with his team’s defensive effort than in their first game, in which they held nationally-ranked Bolingbrook to 35 points.  The Jackrabbits were balanced offensively with Sheila Boykin scoring 15, Ta’Nitra Byrd scoring 13, and Brittany Wilson adding nine. 

The Jackrabbits will face Mater Dei in the semifinals on Monday at 3:30pm.  The game will be a tall test for the Rabbits, and could have an enormous impact on their rankings on the national scene; one national top 50 (MaxPreps), has Mater Dei at number one and Poly at number two in the country this week.