EAST PEORIA, Ill. –Parkland women's basketball (24-7) fought until the very end, pushing No.1 seed Illinois Central (25-6) into two overtime periods in the NJCAA Central District semifinals, before finally succumbing, 66-73. The Cobras were without the services of Emily Meinert, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, who missed both of the team's postseason games due to injury.
 
The game was back-and-forth throughout. The host Cougars, ranked No. 9 nationally, scored with a minute remaining in regulation to tie the game, 57-57. Each team scored four points in the first overtime period, with the Cobras forcing an ICC shot-clock violation with four seconds remaining. In the decisive second overtime period, ICC outscored Parkland 12-5.
 
Peyton Crowe (24 points, 2 steals) led the offensive effort for the Cobras, with additional production from Cassie Russo (16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Ariana Booker (11 points, 2 steals). Lotte Miller (3 assists) led the team in assists.
 
Bree Trimble (11 rebounds) and Alex Specht (7 rebounds) led the team to securing 47 rebounds, with help from Gema Alegre (3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) and Naomi McDaniel (6 points, 5 rebounds).
 
Parkland Women's Basketball concludes the season with a 24-7 overall record, 6-4 in the M-WAC. Sophomore Emily Meinert finished the season averaging 11 rebounds per game, which ranked 16th nationally. She also averaged 16.1 points per game, which ranked 57th nationally. Sophomore Cassie Russo finished the season with 33 blocks, which was 51st in the nation. Her field goal percentage was 53.2%, which placed her in the 25th spot nationally.