Hampshire storms into sectional final

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DeKALB – And so it continues, this undisturbed dominance.

Hampshire's girls basketball team has yet to be challenged in the postseason, outdoing itself again Monday night in an IHSA Class 3A DeKalb Sectional semifinal against Freeport.

The Whip-Purs created numerous scoring opportunities, played stingy defense and had contributions from everyone on their bench while holding the Pretzels to single-digit points until the fourth quarter in a 71-21 victory against the Pretzels.

The win pits Hampshire against Oswego – 55-30 winners against Prairie Ridge in the other semifinal – in the sectional championship game at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Senior forward Chrissy Heine recoreded a triple-double (13 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) to help Hampshire roll into its first sectional final since 2004.

"I remember watching my older sisters go downstate (in 2004), and I always wanted to be able to do it," Heine said. "We're playing so well as a team right now."

Hampshire (29-1) has outscored its three postseason opponents by 91 points, using its entire nine-player roster in each game to pull out the wins.

All but one player scored Monday night, and four – Heine, senior forward Cassie Dumoulin (13 points), junior guard Karla Vietinghoff (13) and sophomore Connie Ellett (11) – scored in double digits. Junior Alex Dumoulin grabbed 11 rebounds.

"These last two games we've really been sharing the wealth and taking [opponents] out of their comfort zones," Cassie Dumoulin said. "Everyone is playing so well, but Chrissy is making us all look good out there. She's making amazing things happen."

Hampshire pulled out to a commanding advantage early and led, 36-7, at the end of the first half.

Heine played the point for most of the first quarter and controlled the game, distributing six of her 10 assists in the first half.

Freeport (11-20) knocked Hampshire out of the postseason in a sectional semifinal last season, eventually finishing second at the 3A state finals, but only one player – senior guard Caitlin Greene (seven points) – remains from that team.

Monday wasn't really redemption then, Hampshire coach Sue Ellett said, since both teams are so different this season.

Not that it matters. Hampshire doesn't care which team it beats at this point as long as it keeps winning.

"We are playing our best basketball right now, and 29 wins is awfully impressive," Ellett said. " ... Our kids just bring the pressure, the intensity, selflessness and energy to the floor every night, and we're playing smart, team basketball."