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HIGHLIGHTS
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March 1,
2010
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Hillcrest 55, Richwoods 47
Every team seems to have a nemesis, or an obstacle in which they have
difficulty getting over. The Bulls had Detroit; the Bears had Green Bay;
the White Sox had Boston/New York; and well, the Cubs have everybody
including a goat. For south suburban school, Hillcrest, they had Fenwick
(2001); Marian Catholic (2002) and Peoria-Richwoods (2009), who beat
them at the supers' last years.
But in most successful programs, they find a way to
surpass these obstacles, and as of Monday night, Hillcrests' nemesis
were no more, as they punch their ticket to sit at the BIG table
downstate with a victory over
defending 3A champion Peoria Richwoods
55-47.
It has been well-documented that coach Maniatis has won
over 380 games across 15 seasons (as season 16 is still being written),
but, has not been down downstate.
"There are great stories within the four walls (of
Hillcrest), and this is a great story for those kids," Maniatis said.
"I'm just part of the byline. But we are finally at the dance."
On Monday night, ALL dreams have become a reality.
Hillcrest senior Uniquah Hampton has been dreaming of
this moment since she was in the seventh grade along with teammate,
Kristin Marshall. "I guess we've both got our dreams now," said Hampton
after the game. "I'm proud that we're the team that gets to bring him
downstate."
Richwoods didn't punch Hillcrests' ticket for them
without a fight. They went into the half with a 3-point lead, 27-24, by
slowing
the pace of the game to fit their style and use a 1-3-1 zone, which
caused the Lady Hawks offense to sputter.
"It was the reversal of last year," coach John Maniatis
said. "We were up 24-21. We told the kids, 'We have 16 minutes. It's
about choices. What choices do we want to make out there that will help
us get to where we want to be?' "
In the second half, the Lady Hawks turned to their defense and speed to
energize their offense, as 5'2" Samirah Ali played another
BIG game, defensively, sparking a 10-0 run and a lead for as much as 10,
39-29 at the 3:18 mark of the game.
"Our defense brought our offense," Hampton said. "We got
steals, and we finished."
Richwoods tried to prepare for the Lady Hawks speed by
practicing 8 players against their starters, but they just couldn't keep
up.
They were able to put together a
late run of their own knocking down six straight and tying the game in
the fourth at 39.
The Lady Hawks then turned to senior Jacquenae Foster,
who knocked down a needed 3-pointer, which ignited the offense.
Yolanda De La Torre was able to grab a rebound and
put back a quick shot for a score
Autris Coleman came off the bench to connect on a
pair of free throws
Shannise Heady was able to knock down a couple of
shots
At this time, they were able to outscore the Knights'
12-3, which put the game out of reach.
After the game, DePaul-recruit Uniquah Hampton was asked if
she was ever worried during the game? "No," she replied with a big
smile. "We wouldn't let it go. I was still confident. No worries, no
doubts."
Hampton
led the Lady Hawks with 13, followed by
Samirah Ali who added 8 points but snagged 7 steals.
On the other side of the ball, Richwoods was led by junior Mariah
Smith, who knocked down 13, followed by senior Katie Murphy
who added 12.
Mariah Smith at the freethrow line
Coach Maniatis did leave the gym and all of the
celebration with something else on his mind... he was concerned about
Marshall's left knee. She collided with Maggie Cunningham in the first
half, but would return. His concerned, more specifically, was about the
after-game effects she may experience, such as a 90-minute bus ride home
as well as a night's sleep.
"I'm fine," said Marshall after the game. "I was in pain
at first but once I got some ice on it it felt better." She also added
"I wasn't going to let that keep me out of this game -we came to far for
us to stop."
The Lady Hawks will take the court Friday at 12:15
against Oswego in the Class 3A semifinals at Redbird Arena, and we'll be
at the baseline.
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