Lady SOBOs win on Senior Day 39-35 over Harvard

South Beloit’s 14th win of the season came wrapped in equal parts grit, emotion, and senior‑day pride, as the SOBOs edged Harvard 39–35 on a late Saturday morning that carried more weight than a typical conference matchup. The victory moves South Beloit to 14–11 overall and 8–2 in the conference, but the record only tells part of the story. This one belonged to the five seniors who have poured years of sweat, work, and belief into a program now reaping the benefits of their investment.

Athletes are creatures of habit, and any disruption to routine can rattle even the most seasoned teams. Add in the emotions of senior day—families in the stands, pregame ceremonies, the realization that the clock is ticking on a high school career—and it becomes a different kind of challenge. South Beloit embraced that challenge.

The SOBOs opened the game with sharp execution and defensive energy, racing out to a 7–0 lead after the first quarter. Harvard, to its credit, steadied itself and found rhythm in the second. The Hornets’ ball movement improved, their shots fell with more consistency, and they outscored South Beloit 13–5 in the frame to take a narrow 13–12 lead into halftime. Summer Jones (14 points) and Olivia Nulle (10 points) carried much of the load for Harvard, while Ava Brennecka added 5.

The third quarter belonged to South Beloit’s adjustments and discipline. The SOBOs tightened their defensive rotations, forced Harvard into one‑and‑done possessions, and leaned on the two‑way spark of sophomore Abigail Rozsa. Her 11 points led the team, but her impact stretched beyond scoring—deflections, rebounds, and timely stops that halted Harvard’s mini‑runs before they could grow into momentum.

Offensively, South Beloit rediscovered its flow. Shaterria McKinney (10 points) attacked the lane with purpose, while Siiarra Jackson (6 points) and Valencia Smith (4 points) provided steady contributions. By the end of the third, the SOBOs had reclaimed control, though the margin remained slim enough to keep the gym tense.

The fourth quarter delivered the drama expected on a day like this. When senior Valencia Smith fouled out midway through the period, Harvard sensed an opening. The Hornets trimmed the deficit and briefly looked poised to steal a road win. But this South Beloit team has learned how to finish games—lessons earned the hard way over the past few seasons.

Two seniors stepped into that moment. Chloe Ayotte (5 points) and McKinney combined for 10 of the team’s 16 fourth‑quarter points, knocking down a pair of threes and sinking pressure-free throws. More importantly, they turned defense into offense. By my count, the duo tallied six or seven steals in the final frame alone, each one creating an extra possession or denying Harvard a chance to close the gap.

Nykira Johnson added 3 points, giving the SOBOs another steady presence in a tight contest.

Harvard continued to battle, with Jones and Nulle keeping the Hornets within striking distance, but South Beloit’s seniors refused to let the day slip away. The final minutes were a showcase of composure—secure the rebound, hit the open teammate, knock down the free throw, get the stop.

When the buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 39–35, but the moment belonged to the five seniors who helped build the foundation for this season’s success. On a day filled with emotion, they delivered the one thing every athlete hopes for on senior day: a win earned together.

Thank you, Head Coach Steven Picavet, and Chloe Ayotte, for the post-game interviews, which you can view on our Facebook page and YouTube Channel. Also, would like to thank Athletic Director Drew Baden for all your help on Saturday.