CRYSTAL LAKE – For more than three weeks, Hampshire’s girls basketball team couldn’t muster a win.
All that changed in less than 24 hours.
After defeating Crystal Lake South, 47-26, Friday night, the 10th-seeded Whip-Purs opened Fox Valley Conference tournament play Saturday morning with a 46-37 win over the No. 7 Gators in Crystal Lake.
“The kids are seeing what I am seeing,” Hampshire coach Eric Samuelson said. “Glad to see all the hard work pay off. Give all the credit to South. They came out with great intensity. We haven’t played our best game yet. It is all about the next shot and the next thing.”
Hampshire (2-8) will play at second-seeded Huntley at 7 p.m. Monday.
“[Huntley coach] Steve [Raethz] is a great coach,” Samuelson said of Huntley, “They are loaded with talent.”
The Whip-Purs couldn’t build any type of cushion in Saturday’s game until the third quarter.
Leading 22-17 at halftime, the Whip-Purs scored the first seven points of the third quarter to extend their lead to 29-17 with 5:33 left. Jessica Dumoulin scored five points including a 3, and Ceilli Ramirez converted a layup during the Whips’ run.
Jessica Norwood scored South’s first points of the half on a layup to make the score 29-19 with 3:28 left in the quarter.
Down 13, Emily Rich buried a long 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut South’s deficit to 34-24 after 24 minutes.
Hampshire’s biggest advantage of the game was 44-28 after a 3 by Ramirez with 2:57 remaining in the contest.
Hampshire guards Ramirez, Dumoulin and Ashley Herzing combined for 37 of the 46 points.
Ramirez led the Whips with 16 points, two 3-pointers and three assists, while Dumoulin added 15 with five rebounds.
“It is great to get a win,” Dumoulin said. “It feels great. We did a great job on defense. We did a great job with help defense and our passing was very good.”
Herzing scored six points with four assists for Hampshire. Davidson recruit Kelby Bannerman, who missed most of the season with a high ankle sprain, added five points with three rebounds.
“Kelby is a four-year varsity player and it is nice to give her an opportunity to play,” Samuelson said. “We are very cautious with her.”
Rich, with two baskets from beyond the arc, and Brooke Kuffel led the Gators (3-6) with eight points each.
“Last night was a tough night,” South coach Mark Mucha said. “I like the way we came out with great intensity and effort. We really played well together. Give Hampshire credit. They are clicking on all cylinders right now.”