WESTHAMPTON — A decade’s worth of Hampshire Regional girls basketball players tried to reach this point.
Every Raiders team fell short until this one prevailed. Hampshire will play for its first state championship since 2005 when it faces Archbishop Williams in the Division 3 title game at 5:45 p.m. at Springfield College.
“My parents and my coaches keep telling me the Raiders who graduated before you would give anything to be where you are,” Hampshire junior Caroline O’Connor said. “So live it up.”
Hampshire’s program carries a storied history. The Raiders have won six state titles and 10 Western Massachusetts championships, including this year. In order to add state crown No. 7, Hampshire (22-2) will need to dethrone the reigning champions.
Archbishop Williams (20-3) won last year’s state championship against Hoosac Valley and emerged from the South section for the sixth consecutive year. The Braintree school has won six state championships.
Hampshire is unfamiliar with the Bishops and hasn’t prepared specifically for them. With only two days between the state semifinals and championship game, the Raiders are keying on their defensive execution and energy.
“We’re focusing on stopping the drive and making sure they shoot the ball,” Hampshire senior Katelyn Pickunka said.
Hampshire brought back its press in its state-semifinal win over Sutton on Wednesday. The Raiders backed off the pressure they employed for most of the season during the Western Mass. semifinals and finals because of difficult point guard matchups, but against Sutton, they decided to play closer to their strengths and identity.
“We missed it,” Pickunka said.
On offense, Hampshire will lean on a heavy dose of Pickunka. She averages 26 points per game and has scored more than 30 eight times. Pickunka is the only senior and led a young team that gained experience as the year progressed.
“I can’t even believe it’s just been one season to see some of them grow so much,” Pickunka said.
O’Connor (12.9) and sophomore Maddie Pond (11.0) average double digits. Freshman Lila Labrie has been steady at point guard and junior Kyleen Labrecque can knock down outside shots and provide a solid defensive presence.
“I feel like Caroline is the X-factor. They know Maddie can shoot from the outside and K.P. is gonna play inside,” Cyr said. “But when Caroline gets going all of a sudden I feel like teams’ shoulders drop.”
The Raiders practiced in their own gym Thursday after a half day of school and finished practice with a pizza on the gym floor. They’ll shoot around at Springfield College on Friday followed by the MIAA championship banquet.
“I know any basketball player fights their whole season to be where we are,” O’Connor said. “I’m so proud of my team.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com.