Freshman Mia Gage leads Nazareth to 4A state title

Gage's 16-0 run fuels Roadrunners' 55-23 win over Loyola

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Nazareth freshman guard Mia Gage scored 11 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and had 5 steals to lead the Roadrunners to a 55-23 victory over Loyola in the Class 4A state championship game. Gage's 16-0 run in the second quarter sparked Nazareth's dominant performance, as they won their second state title in three years.

Why it matters

Gage's standout performance as a freshman highlights Nazareth's continued excellence in girls' basketball, having now won two state titles in the last three seasons. The Roadrunners' ability to develop young talent like Gage and Stella Sakalas has made them a powerhouse in Illinois high school basketball.

The details

Gage drove to the basket, was fouled, and hit two free throws to start a 16-0 run for Nazareth in the second quarter. She then made a steal and went coast-to-coast for a layup, sparking the Roadrunners' dominant performance. Nazareth outscored Loyola 40-10 in the final three quarters to cruise to the 55-23 victory.

  • Nazareth won the Class 3A state title in 2023 when Stella Sakalas was a freshman.
  • The Class 4A state championship game was played on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Mia Gage

A 6-foot freshman guard for Nazareth who scored 11 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and had 5 steals in the state championship game. Gage has already received 3 college offers, including one from DePaul.

Stella Sakalas

A senior forward for Nazareth who was a freshman when the team won the Class 3A state title in 2023.

Sophia Towne

A junior guard for Nazareth who scored a game-high 17 points in the state championship game.

Nazareth Roadrunners

The girls' basketball team from Nazareth High School that has won two state titles in the last three seasons.

Loyola

The opponent that Nazareth defeated 55-23 in the Class 4A state championship game.

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What they’re saying

“Mia has been so good all season. We've put so much on her, but she's done so much for us. We always forget that she's a freshman because of how much she does.”

— Sophia Towne, Junior guard, Nazareth (Chicago Tribune)

“The fact that she can go out there and play her game and be able to put on such a performance is amazing.”

— Stella Sakalas, Senior forward, Nazareth (Chicago Tribune)

“Knowing that they were there for me and I could lean on them when the game was getting hard helped a lot. We know that we have five people that can defend, and that if I make a mistake, somebody is going to help me get back. If I don't get this steal, it's OK because my teammates are there to help me.”

— Mia Gage (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

Nazareth will look to defend their state title next season, with Mia Gage leading the way as a sophomore.

The takeaway

Nazareth's ability to develop young talent like Mia Gage and Stella Sakalas has made them a dominant force in Illinois high school girls' basketball. The Roadrunners' team-first mentality and defensive intensity have fueled their success, and they show no signs of slowing down.