Chanel Wilson and the U-High Pioneers play for a Class 3A regional championship tonight against Morton. (Photo by B Corbin/WJBC)

By Bryan Bloodworth

NORMAL - University High School girls basketball coach Laura Sellers said her third-seeded Pioneers will need to take care of the ball when it meets top-seeded Morton in the Class 3A regional finals Thursday night at Central Catholic's gym.

"Morton is a well-schooled defensive team," said Sellers, whose team has a 25-6 record. "Their defensive pressure is a little different than Central Catholic, but we'll want to keep our focus on taking care of ball and getting good offensive sequences."

Morton, which is ranked ninth in Class 3A with a 25-4 record, advanced to the championship game with a 47-35 victory over Washington in the first round. U High defeated Corn Belt Conference and Intercity rival Central Catholic, 47-46, in the opening round.

"Morton is smart, well organized and very well-disciplined," added Sellers. "We're going to have to give our best effort, but it's going to be a tough game."

In Class 1A and 2A sectional championship games, No. 5 state ranked El Paso-Gridley takes a 27-1 record against Sherrard at Orion. Meanwhile, LeRoy (20-9) meets Iroquois West at Fisher.