Hampshire holds off Burlington Central again
It took Hampshire a little longer this time, but in the end the Whip-Purs prevailed again.
Senior Cassie Dumoulin scored 8 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter, including making 3 of 4 from the free-throw line down the stretch, as Hampshire came from behind to beat Burlington Central 55-53 in a Big Northern East girls basketball game on Rocket Hill.
The win gives the Whips (23-1, 8-0) no worse than a share of their third straight BN-East title. They can wrap up the championship outright Monday night at Richmond-Burton.
"I'm so proud of our team," said Cassie Dumoulin. "We fought to the end. The game's never over until the final buzzer. This is an unbelievable feeling. It was a nice game to win conference on."
Just as it was the first time BC and Hampshire played on Jan. 16, a 47-42 Hampshire win, the Rockets (16-8, 6-3) led for much of the night. After spotting Hampshire a 7-2 lead early, BC came back and forged a 13-13 tie by the end of the first and then went on a 6-1 run to start the second. They led 29-23 at halftime as senior standout Jordan Maisto scored 15 of her game-high 23 points in the first half. She also had 10 assists in the game.
"We never gave up and we played with a lot of heart," said Maisto. "We had a stretch where we didn't box out real well and they got some putbacks."
Both Cassie Dumoulin and Hampshire coach Sue Ellett showed the utmost respect for Maisto.
"Jordan Maisto had a heck of a game," Dumoulin said. "She played like a senior and carried their team for them."
"Jordan Maisto is the best point guard in the conference and she has been for three years," Ellett said.
But just as with the Jan. 16 game, the Whips never gave in, and they hit the Rockets with a run that was too much to overcome.
BC opened up a 9-point lead at 47-37 on a 3-pointer by Katie McNutt (12 points) with 6:37 left in the game and still had a 50-44 advantage after another McNutt 3 with 4:08 to play. But those would be the last points the Rockets would score until Maisto made a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left for the final score.
"We didn't box out," said BC coach Stephanie Smith. "They had a run and Alex (Dumoulin) played with a lot of heart. Our big girls were nonexistent tonight and we lost by two. I'm very proud of how we came out. It was one of those games that was very fun. Give credit to Hampshire but give my kids credit too. Right now we're a dangerous team."
Down 50-44, Cassie Dumoulin scored to make it a 50-46 game and after a Central turnover, Kelsey Anderson came up with a steal and a big basket to make it 50-48. Then, with 2:02 left, junior Jessica Van Dorin spotted up and hit a 3-pointer that gave Hampshire a 51-50 lead, the Whips' first lead since they were ahead 14-13 early in the second quarter.
Cassie Dumoulin then scored Hampshire's final 4 points from the free-throw line and the Whips' defense didn't allow Central to get any good shots off in the final 2 minutes.
"I just say a little prayer," said Cassie Dumoulin of her coolness at the line. "God just slows me down somehow."
Alex Dumoulin led the Whips with 19 points and 10 rebounds, 5 of her 8 field goals coming on putbacks. Chrissy Heine added 11 points for the Whips, who shot 21 of 42 and outrebounded the Rockets 28-16.
"They just dug deep," said Ellett of her team. "Cassie, Chrissy and Alex were tremendous, Michelle Dumoulin gave us a great third quarter and Kelsey Anderson got that huge steal. Both times we've been tougher than nails and come back."
The two could meet again in two weeks at the Class 3A Rochelle regional. BC must beat Sycamore in a play-in game to have a third shot at Hampshire in the semifinals.
"We know there's going to be a big Rocket in our way," Ellett said.
BC is looking forward to the opportunity.
"We have to take it one game at a time," Maisto said. "We have to take care of business against Sycamore and then we'll be excited to play Hampshire again."
Smith would like that chance as well.
"I'll take the two losses for a win in the regional," she said.