SPRINGFIELD — At a school rich in girls basketball history, the 2017-18 Hampshire Regional squad has already added its chapter.
But after a dominating effort in a 60-33 win over Sutton, in the state Division 3 semifinals Wednesday, the Raiders are a win away from finishing their entry with a memorably happy ending.
Hampshire (22-2) will try to win its seventh state title and first since 2007 when it plays Archbishop Williams, Saturday at Springfield College at 5:45 p.m.
“All of us want to leave our footprint on Hampshire,” senior Katelyn Pickunka said. “We’ve definitely made our impact so far: win the league and western Mass. and now to states. We’ll be known for having a good team. I hope people remember us for the basketball players that we are and the players we are to each other. We’ve done a good job supporting each other.”
The Central Mass. champs had the same problem as pretty much everybody is western Mass. — Pickunka is really hard to guard. Sutton put junior Hannah Nichols on her and Pickunka drew four whistles on the taller center. Sutton played zone, Pickunka was unfazed roaming and scoring inside it effectively. Sutton fouled her and she made 10 of 11 free throws.
She finished with 28 points and 16 rebounds, too much for the Susies, but another day in the paint for the Smith College-bound senior.
“You can see the fire in her eyes once she gets going,” Hampshire coach Amy Cyr said. “She’s tough to stop. Anything and everything has been thrown at Katelyn this season. There hasn’t been many times that she’s been kept at bay.”
If Pinkunka’s work inside wasn’t wearing down Sutton, the Raider press sure did. Maddie Pond had 17 points and 10 steals, including several in the backcourt. The constant pressure kept Sutton from ever getting comfortable.
Sutton looked weary going into halftime. Leading 25-18, the Raiders smelled blood and attacked. They opened the third quarter on a 19-2 run and led 46-22 after the third.
“We saw that Sutton was exhausted at the end of the second quarter,” Pickunka said. “We wanted to come out pressing again and tire them out even more.”
Sutton never scored more than two baskets in a row with the starters in the game and that didn’t come until the fourth quarter. Lauren Arthaud hit a 3, the Susies’ only one of the game, followed by a two that made it 46-27. But Pickunka seized an offensive rebound in traffic, bulled her way through the double team and the foul to lay the ball in and Hampshire’s lead never dipped below 20 again.
Caroline O’Connor added 12 points for Hampshire (22-2).
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com.
Hampshire 60, Sutton 33
Hampshire (22-2)
L. Labrie 0-0-0, Taylor 0-0-0, Pickunka 9-10-28, Rubeck 1-0-2, Labrecque 0-0-0, Pond 6-2-17, Golasinski 0-0-0, Marek 0-0-0, O’Connor 3-5-12, Salomao 0-1-1. Totals 19-18-60
Sutton (22-2)
Nieves 1-1-3, Beachman 1-1-3, Arthaud 2-2-7, Green 3-0-6, Pacenka 0-0-0, Burke 1-0-2, Dimmick 0-0-0, Cox 1-0-2, Fraioli 2-4-8, Nichols 1-0-2. Sutton 12-8-33.
|
Hampshire |
12 |
13 |
21 |
14 |
—60 |
|
Sutton |
6 |
12 |
4 |
11 |
—33 |
3-Pointers—Sutton 1 (Arthaud). Hampshire 4 (Pond 3, O’Connor)