A different Nikki Kerstein emerged in the middle of Deerfield’s historic run to the Class 3A state finals. It might have started at the end of the first quarter of the sectional championship game against Carmel. The sophomore guard took the ball coast to coast, weaving through four defenders and scoring on a floater. Advertisement After the ball fell through the net, Kerstein locked her arms against her sides and screamed. “She’s starting to have some fun out there,” Deerfield coach Nicole Keith said. “She’s always calm, and you never really see her get mad. I took a screenshot of her showing emotions from that Carmel game with her ‘tough man’ reaction. That was the most amount of emotion I had seen from her. She showed something. ” Advertisement Kerstein’s development is one of the reasons Deerfield (29-7) ran the table in the Central Suburban North, won a third straight regional title and advanced to the state finals for the first time in program history. At state on Friday, the Warriors lost 76-56 to Lincoln in the semifinals and then lost 86-67 to Peoria in the third-place game. It isn’t the ending they wanted. But it’s another one to build upon. “We didn’t come here expecting to lose both games by 20 or more,” Kerstein said. “But it was a good experience for us, especially for the younger girls. ” Kerstein’s older sister Lexi , a four-year starter and Vermont recruit, said she’s excited to watch her sister play over the next two years. “I know she’s going to do amazing things in her last years of high school,” Lexi Kerstein said. “I’m so happy I got the chance to play with her for two years. It’s been great. ” Deerfield’s Nikki Kerstein attempts a 3-point shot during a Class 3A state semifinal against Lincoln at Illinois State’s CEFCU Arena in Normal on Friday, March 3, 2023. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun) Nikki Kerstein said Illinois State’s CEFCU Arena was the ideal place for them to play their last games together. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to make state, especially doing it with my sister,” Nikki Kerstein said. “She has worked so hard for these last three years before this and didn’t make it. I knew this was her last year, so I wanted to go as far as possible. I’m so grateful for this opportunity for it. Lake County News Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy . > “Just coming into high school, my sister has always been helping me. Now that we made history and made it downstate makes it even more special. ” Advertisement Nikki Kerstein averaged 14. 3 points, 3. 7 assists and 3. 1 rebounds, made 72 3-pointers and was named second-team all-state in 3A by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association this season. She is further along the recruiting process than her sister was at this point in her career, with 10 offers from college programs. Expect that number to increase over the summer, Keith said. “Every drill we do in practice, Nikki is working and attacking,” Keith said. “The big things colleges talk about is her ability to be a shooting guard — a pure shooter — and a point guard. She can do both things, which is her selling point to colleges. “Her defense is getting much better. She’s starting to get lower on defense, and we can put her on harder-to-defend players. This AAU season is going to be really strong for her. ” Nikki Kerstein knows there’s work ahead of her. “It’s definitely been a lot of pressure,” she said. “I have enjoyed it so much. It gives me a lot to work for knowing I’m following in my sister’s footsteps. I have some big shoes to fill, especially with my parents both being athletes too. But I’m looking forward to the next two years. ” Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun. .