BLOOMINGTON — For the second year in a row, the Central Catholic High School girls basketball team has finished the regular season with an undefeated record.

Their victories include championships at the InterCity Tournament in November and the State Farm Holiday Classic.

Last Thursday’s 63-41 victory over Prairie Central secured the Corn Belt Conference championship for the Lady Saints, who now boast a 26-0 season record.

The undefeated Saints were to play the El Paso-Gridley Titans Wednesday night in the Class 2A Stanford (Olympia) Regional. The winner of that game is to play for the regional championship at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Lady Saints were regional and sectional champs last year, making it all the way to the Elite Eight, the game before the state tournament. They suffered a disappointing 64-49 loss to Teutopolis in the Millikin 2A Super-Sectional.

“They tasted it last year — they came close. But I think this year their goal is to take it all the way,” said Mrs. Joy Allen, principal. “These girls deserve it. They play hard, they work well as a team.”

With the advantages of skill, experience and dedication, the Saints are poised for a state title run.

“It’s a very exciting group. We’ve got five seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and one freshman on the team,” said Coach Coffman, who is in her eleventh year as head coach.

“The kids have really understood their roles. Before each game we remind them of their roles on the team,” Coach Coffman said, adding, “They’ve faced a lot of challenges and have overcome them. They’re just outstanding athletes both on and off the court.

“It’s been a fun and exciting season.”