Hampshire 46, Burlington Central 39
Hampshire's girls basketball team entered Friday night's Big Northern East Conference contest against North Boone with at least a share of the BNE Conference title at stake.
While the Whip-Purs had their work cut out for them chasing a team charged by Senior Night school spirit, they managed to come back from a 25-19 halftime deficit to clinch their first Big Northern East Conference title since the 2003-04 season with a 46-39 victory.
"This is the first banner for these kids so I think they came out a bit timid with the pressure on them," said Hampshire coach Sue Ellett.
"But, they played through it with some good Whip-Pur basketball in the second half, and I am extremely proud to see this group at the very least be sharing a title.
"With a freshman, two sophomores, a junior and a senior starter, it bodes very well for the future."
Hampshire is in a virtual tie with Burlington Central (7-1), the defending league champ, for the crown. BC still has conference games left to play against Richmond-Burton and Marengo.
Hampshire (18-7, 9-1) got a huge third-quarter push from freshman Alex Dumoulin, who recorded 13 of the team's 17 third quarter points en route to leading all scorers with 21 points in the end.
Crissy Heine added some timely buckets to finish with 13 points. Hampshire took the lead at 35-34 and never looked back.
Defensively, the Whips created just 5 turnovers in the second half compared to 11 in the first half.
"We have been preaching the defensive end," said Ellett. "You need your defense every night. It has been key for us all year long."
The win marks eight straight for the Whips who have also won 12 of their last 13 games.
"I can remember when we were 6-6," said Ellett. "I couldn't be more proud of these girls, but I do have some more expectations for the weeks ahead.
"We are all on the same page here, and everybody is working toward accomplishing our goals, one of which we did tonight."
What goals remain for Hampshire?
"We're shooting for 20 wins and a regional title," said Ellett, now just 3 wins shy of 100 in her five-year Hampshire coaching career.
"These girls all continue to pick one another up and we can do this."