Burlington Central breaks through with regional crown

Burlington Central couldn't have asked for a better start to its Class 3A regional championship game against St. Francis Thursday night - even if it wasn't exactly like coach Collin Kalamatas drew it up.

Senior Kat Schmidt, who just became the school's all-time leading scorer Tuesday, swished a 3-pointer seven seconds into the game, then drilled another 3 on the next possession after Maddy Menke's offensive rebound and kick out.

Those shots made it 6-0 just 30 seconds into the game, and the lead quickly swelled to 19-0 before the Spartans finally scored. Burlington Central went on to a 56-32 victory on their home court that felt that much sweeter after losing regional championship games the past two years.

"It's funny because the emphasis we made was pound the ball inside and she came out and hit two 3s," Kalamatas said. "I was like all right. These girls didn't need much to get them going but that certainly ignited the flame that was already there. It was an awesome night. A lot of work these girls have put in to finally get this one. So happy."

Junior guard Elana Wells paced the Rockets with 22 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Schmidt had 12 points and 5 rebounds and Lily Moretti hit two of the team's seven 3-pointers and scored 8 points.

"We came into this game knowing we didn't want to lose another regional championship," Wells said. "Since last year we've put in a lot of work. We wanted the regional championship so bad."

No. 2 seed Burlington Central (29-4) will play No. 1 Sycamore, a 68-36 winner over Dixon, at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Class 3A Hampshire sectional.

It's the Rockets' first regional title since 2016 and ninth in school history.

"It was super special for us seniors the last time playing on this court," Schmidt said. "We all just played like a whole new level. We were ready.

"It's taken so long to get to this point. A lot of tears, stuff like that. Now that we're past this it's easier to breathe."

After Schmidt's game-opening 3s, Menke followed with a steal and layup and Moretti banked in a runner as Spartans coach Sandy De Craene called timeout down 10-0 with 6:33 still left in the first quarter.

The Rockets kept rolling with Wells getting her first basket, Schmidt scoring inside, Moretti knocking down a 3 and Reili Gardner driving for a bucket and a 19-0 lead.

No. 6 seed St. Francis (17-14) didn't score until Katie Anne DeCraene's 3-point shot at the 2:40 mark of the first quarter. The Rockets, who won their 13th straight game, led 25-5 after the quarter and 33-17 at halftime.

The Spartans pulled as close as 13 points on a couple occasions in the third quarter. Wells scored just before the buzzer to make it 42-27. The Rockets then started the fourth on a 9-1 run that included Zoey Kollhoff getting in the passing lane, outracing a Spartan to the loose ball at midcourt, then looking up and finding Wells streaking for a basket that brought the crowd to its feet.

Kollhoff sparked the Rockets off the bench with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 points, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots - helping BC to a 33-21 edge on the glass. Burlington also outshot the Spartans 46.7% to 28.5% and committed only 7 turnovers.

"We just came out with a lot of confidence tonight," Kollhoff said. "I think that's what carried us through. The five on the floor, the bench, the crowd, everybody had confidence and was just happy and excited. This is a total team effort.

"The past two years we got a little stuck here (in the regional title game). We've all been playing together since middle school, we just wanted to win more than anything tonight. On our home court in front of a home crowd."

Kate Chaparro scored 13 points for the Spartans but nobody else had more than 4.

"We played scared," St. Francis coach Sandy De Craene said. "We were nervous and jittery and didn't play our game. Learning experience. We have a lot of sophomores and juniors and first regionals with all of them. It's hard to keep your composure when you haven't been there before.

"But I'm proud of my girls. I'm going to miss my four seniors."