EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville girls basketball freshman guard Journey Anderson proved to be the biggest hero on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, when she hit the first of two free throws that gave the Tigers a come-from-behind 50-49 win over Quincy in the first semifinal of the IHSA Class 4A regional tournament at Edwardsville's Lucco-Jackson Gym.
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The free throw climaxed a final 15-0 run, after the Tigers were trailing the Blue Devils 49-35 with about two minutes to go. It was a remarkable comeback for the Tigers, who now will play against Alton Feb. 20 for the regional championship and the right to advance to the Peoria Richwoods sectional.
Anderson herself has had a very good freshman season for Edwardsville, and currently averages 10.3 points and 2.6 rebounds-per-game, along with having 55 assists and 56 steals. In an interview conducted after the game, Anderson felt that the comeback was exactly what the Tigers needed.
Anderson is a Spencer Homes Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers.
"I think we needed that," Anderson said. "We just all worked hard, we all wanted it in our hearts, and we just played stronger than them."
During the final play, when the Blue Devils couldn't get a shot off in time, and it was a three-quarter court shot that fell way short, Anderson kept her head and knew exactly what to do in the situation.
"During the final play, after the free throw, I was like, we can't foul," Anderson said, "we've got to get it out of their hands. My girl got the ball, and I just knew she would stand straight up. She's going to have to shoot a full-court shot. It's all on luck's end, but that free throw at the end, we just shoot so many free throws in practice. The coaches make sure we're ready for moments like that, and I was ready. I knocked it down."
Anderson feels confident that momentum will be on Edwardsville's side in the final against the Redbirds, a 50-18 winner against Collinsville in the second semifinal, and that the Tigers will be ready to go.
"I think that definitely, whoever wins, we'll be ready for them," a confident Anderson said. "We're coming in hot, we weren't expected to win this game, and we pushed through and won. So, I think we're strong enough, and we can beat whoever's next."
Anderson also gave Quincy much credit for their game as well.
"Yeah, they definitely did play really strong," Anderson said. "Their players, I'll give it to them, they were playing really good, both offense and defense. We just wanted it more."
