SOBOs force 36 turnovers in 61–15 win over Christian Life
South Beloit opened the IHSA 1A girls basketball postseason with the kind of statement win every coach hopes to see in mid‑February. On a spring‑like Valentine’s Day afternoon — temperatures touching 50 degrees with barely a trace of snow on the ground — the SOBOs delivered a 61–15 rout of Christian Life in Saturday’s Class 1A regional opener.
The matchup featured two teams entering the tournament from very different directions. Christian Life, the No. 11 seed, came in at 3–25 and was without its top two point guards and other rotation players. South Beloit, meanwhile, arrived with momentum, sitting at 15–12 overall and 9–2 in the Northeastern Conference, good for third place. With Saturday’s victory, the SOBOs improved to 16–12 and have now won six of their last seven games.
From the opening tip, South Beloit played like a team intent on making the postseason feel like a fresh start. Head coach Steven Picavet has emphasized that the playoffs are a “0–0 season,” a reset in which every team starts equal. His group embraced that message immediately, overwhelming the Eagles with pressure defense that never allowed Christian Life to settle into any rhythm.
The SOBOs forced 36 turnovers, converting many of them into uncontested layups and easy transition buckets. By halftime, the tone was set. By the fourth quarter, the only question remaining was how wide the margin would grow.
Offensively, South Beloit received balanced but powerful production from its top contributors. Senior ShaTerria McKinney and sophomore Abigail Rozsa each poured in 20 points, attacking the rim, finishing in transition, and setting the tone on both ends. Senior Valencia Smith added 11 points and pulled down nine rebounds, including six on the offensive glass, as South Beloit dominated second‑chance opportunities. In total, the SOBOs grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, extending possessions and wearing down an already short‑handed Christian Life squad.
Defensively, the numbers told the story. Christian Life shot just 21% from the field and went 3‑for‑8 from beyond the arc. South Beloit’s length, speed, and relentless pressure smothered passing lanes and forced rushed attempts throughout the afternoon.
On the other end, the SOBOs shot 40% from two‑point range. They connected on only one three‑pointer, but in a game defined by turnovers and transition scoring, they didn’t need perimeter shooting to control the outcome.
With the win, South Beloit advances to face Indian Creek in Round 2 on Monday, February 16, at 7:30 p.m. on the SOBOs’ home floor. Indian Creek enters at 14–12 and holds the No. 3 seed in the bracket.
For South Beloit, the message remains simple: the postseason is a new season — and they’re off to the start they wanted
