Wheaton Academy's Lee Queen of Hill

Jenn Lee's dream senior season went out with her a champion.

The Wheaton Academy guard won the Queen of the Hill competition 3-point showdown at the state girls basketball tournament this past weekend at Illinois State's Redbird Arena in Normal.

Lee made nine shots to win the Class 3A 3-point showdown on Friday. On Saturday she hit nine of her 3-point attempts to edge Clifton Central's Melissa Gardner, who finished with eight, to win the Queen of the Hill among the champions of the four classes.

"It was awesome, incredible," said Lee, who had never advanced out of the regional competition before. "It was an amazing experience and something I'm grateful for."

Lee, a Daily Herald All-Area team member, shot 42 percent from 3-point range this season for 28-2 Wheaton Academy. In the 3-point semifinals on Thursday she was one of three girls to make 10 3-point attempts, and advanced in a shootout.

"It's totally different competing at state," she said. "First off, it's a college floor. You have to be careful to not shoot from the guys line which is further back, so you have to be aware of where your feet are. And then there are just so many more people there. At the same time, when it comes down to it, it's still the same 3-point line 18 feet out."

Competing in a big environment as an individual adds to the anxiety.

"It's definitely more intense not having your teammates there with you," she said.

"Luckily my coach came down there with me and (Wheaton Academy senior teammate) Leah Fortune came down. That meant a lot, having their support."

Lee's performance capped a remarkable senior season. Wheaton Academy won its first conference and regional championships in 10 years, advancing all the way to the Class 3A sectional final.

"All I could say is Soli Deo Gloria, for the glory of God alone," Lee said, "without Him I couldn't have gone this far or shot that well. To be able to have the season we had, and to go out on top, it's a blessing."