CHICAGO - I've either seen or heard some of the greatest moments in Saint Xavier sports history over the last seven years. As many big wins as the school has had in that span, never had both the men's and women's basketball teams won the CCAC Tournament in the same year. In fact, the men haven't won it at all in the last seven years.
But that all changed Saturday, March 6 when both Cougar teams received automatic bids to the NAIA National Tournament.
The Saint Xavier women's team and Olivet Nazarene hooked up at the Shannon Center early in the day for what seems like a yearly CCAC title game match-up.
One thing that is certain before every SXU-Olivet game is that it will be fast-paced and high scoring. That is all Olivet knows, and time and time again, SXU proves that they know it too.
The Lady Tigers play a fast-paced game, running down the court and seemingly taking a three-point attempt every time they have the ball. They waste little time in their possessions whether it works or not. Every minute or so, coach Doug Porter will substitute five new players into the lineup. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But it's fun to watch every time.
Seeing the way the Tigers play more than 10 times in the last four years, SXU seniors Angie Bush and Erin Hannemann seemed to have a plan of attack. Angie would keep up with them from the perimeter in the first half, and Erin would beat them up down low in the second half.
The result was a career-high 33 points for Bush in her final game at the Shannon Center. 22 of the 33 came in the first half, leading the Cougars to a 53-46 lead at the break.
Olivet opened the second half on a 10-0 run to take a lead and upped the margin to six with 15:57 to play. But Erin Hannemann took over the rest of the way. The Cougars captured a 103-96 win over their rivals from Bourbonnais.
Hannemann netted 26 points and brought down 12 rebounds in the final game of a fantastic career. Her bucket with 2:40 to go gave the team an eight point lead and all but ended it for the Tigers.
Hannemann was named the CCAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season following the game. Sholanda Young had a record setting day for the team, dishing out a program all-time best 13 assists.
ONU did well from beyond the arc, which kept them in the game. But SXU was just too good.
It seems like we say this every year, but this really is the best SXU team ever. At 29-1, the Cougars could very well have been undefeated if it weren't for an injury to Kathlyn McClain in January.
Ranked second in the country (should be first), the Cougars are a legitimate national title contender. In fact, anything less would be a disappointment. They have never won more than one game in Jackson, but this year will be their best chance to do something special.
Often overshadowed by the women's team, the SXU men's basketball team punched their ticket to the NAIA Tournament in Kansas City with a 92-90 overtime upset win over Robert Morris University at the Gentile Center. It had been the first time since RMU's move to the CCAC that the Cougars won there.
It was a must win for SXU, who would not have made the tourney without the automatic bid. Senior Julian Scott has had an up and down career for the Cougars, but made sure it would not end Saturday, scoring eight of his team-leading 18 points in the overtime period.
Roosevelt Green hit a last-second shot for SXU in their semifinal upset win over Olivet Nazarene. It's good to see this group come together at the right time.
Good luck to both Cougar teams at the national tournament.
Photo: SXU forward Erin Hannemann starred for the Cougars in their 103-96 win over the Olivet Nazarene Tigers Saturday to capture the CCAC Championship.
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