NORMAL — When junior forward Layne Dawson missed six weeks earlier this season with a broken hand, her offensive game for St. Edward was going to take the biggest hit.

What didn’t suffer, however, was her main job. And that’s playing defense.

Michelle Dawson, the Green Wave’s head coach and also Layne’s mother, confirmed that her daughter still ran every single sprint in practice to stay sharp.

“It’s definitely great to be back,” Layne said. “I’m happy I can contribute my part to the team. I just like the fact that we can get the ball back (defensively), and when we do, it helps us score.”

Dawson was a pest to Byron all game during Thursday’s Class 2A state semifinal.

She also came through with nine points and 10 rebounds, but Byron was able to fend off a late charge in the fourth quarter by the Green Wave to advance with a 49-43 win at CEFCU Arena.

St. Edward’s Savannah Lynch (2) drives to the basket as Byron’s Alya Roschi (1) defends during a Class 2A state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Thursday, March 5, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

Savannah Lynch led St. Edward (27-10) with 21 points, while Jordin Sauls added seven points and four blocked shots. Aubrie Fuller paced Byron (33-2) with 21 points. Malia Morton had 14.

Lynch followed up with 20 points as the Green Wave lost 53-33 in the third-place game to Pleasant Plains (31-3). Byron plays Breese Central (31-3) at noon Saturday for the state title.

Michelle Dawson, meanwhile, pointed out that Layne’s twin sister, Taylor, and Sarah Gurley combined to try and fill the gap at Layne’s position during her absence.

It kept the Green Wave afloat, but they became whole again when Layne returned.

St. Edward’s Layne Dawson (22) drives into the lane as Byron’s Alya Roschi (1) defends during a Class 2A state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Thursday, March 5, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

“Nobody truly replaces Layne on defense,” Michelle Dawson said. “That’s kind of been her M.O. since freshman year. But It was an adjustment coming off a broken hand.

“She was off the whole month of January. She wasn’t quite back to normal yet, but her defensive pressure and especially rebounding were there.”

Layne Dawson’s main defensive assignment in Thursday’s semifinal was the ultra-quick Morton, who said Dawson and Co. made things difficult for her and the Tigers.

“They’re compact, so it was really hard because we’re a good driving team,” Morton said. “We have Aubrie who can knock down the three, so that made it easier to drive to the basket.

St. Edward’s Sanaii McPherson (24) powers past Byron’s Alya Roschi (1) during a Class 2A state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Thursday, March 5, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

“But it was tough to play against.”

That pressure helped hold Byron to a season-low four points in the first quarter. When Lynch got going in the second, all of a sudden St. Edward led 15-4 with 2:53 left in the quarter.

The Green Wave lost 57-41 at Byron in the regular-season finale.

“I think this is what a state semifinal should look like,” Byron coach Eric Yerly said. “You had great players going at each other. Give them credit. We just played St. Ed about three weeks ago.

St. Edward’s Layne Dawson (22) makes a no-look pass against Byron during a Class 2A state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Thursday, March 5, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

“They showed up (Thursday) and wanted to win.”

Lynch led the comeback in the fourth as well. Byron led 43-37 before Lynch scored six straight points to force a 43-43 tie with 1:29 left. The Green Wave never scored again, though.

“I think going into the fourth quarter we knew we had to make a big run and come back,” Lynch said. “The whole game I was kind of hiding around, but I felt like I needed to step up, so I did that.”

And while it was tough to watch her daughter on the sidelines earlier this season, Michelle Dawson knows what the future could hold.

St. Edward’s Layne Dawson (22) puts up a shot from close range against Byron during a Class 2A state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Thursday, March 5, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / The Beacon-News)

“Layne and her athleticism, the sky’s the limit to what she’s going to accomplish next year,” Michelle said. “That little setback was, being out those six weeks, but she never stopped working.”

It also helped mom to experience state with her daughters and their friends.

“We never get to be a parent and just relax and enjoy state,” Michelle said. “But it’s all worth it because we’re in every moment of it. We have the chance to experience this with them.

“It just makes it so special having Taylor and Layne on the court.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/05/layne-dawson-st-edward-state-basketball/