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February 20, 2023

Huntley head girls basketball coach Steve Raethz gives the Red Raiders instructions during a fourth quarter timeout against Rockford Guilford. The visiting Vikings upset HHS in the Class 4A Huntley Regional final, 43-40, Feb. 17.
Steve Peterson
Huntley head girls basketball coach Steve Raethz gives the Red Raiders instructions during a fourth quarter timeout against Rockford Guilford. The visiting Vikings upset HHS in the Class 4A Huntley Regional final, 43-40, Feb. 17.

Sports • February 20, 2023

Shocker loss won’t dim future HHS memories

By

HUNTLEY — Huntley’s girls basketball team saw its dream of a far-reaching state tournament run come to an abrupt end as a Rockford Guilford squad gained its first regional title since 1996 with a narrow 43-40 win Feb. 17.

The Red Raiders fought back from an 11-point deficit to one point on a three-pointer by senior Morgan McCaughn for a 41-40 game in the closing seconds. But the Vikings made clutch free throws and shocked the HHS squad. Huntley, with eight seniors leading the way, ended at 28-5 and many accomplishments along the way.

“We dug deep hole but in the second half to make a comeback, with true grit and toughness,” Huntley coach Steve Raethz said. “I am so proud of the team. Credit Rockford Guilford. The girls in our locker room feel gutted now, but after they process this they will realize what a special season it was and what a special group it is.”

HHS senior leaders Jessica Ozzauto and Sammi Campanelli showed their character and spoke after the defeat.

“We’re just like a family on and off the court,” Ozzauto said. “We had confidence we could bounce back.”

Ozzauto ended with 15 points while Sammi Campanelli tallied 12. HHS had more field goals than the Vikings, 14-11, but were edged in three-pointers, 4-3 and free-throws, 9-5.

The Vikings entered the game on a four-game win streak and a earned the Hampshire sectional semifinal spot at 24-9.

“We knew Huntley would have a run in the second half,” Vikings coach Mike Jamerson said. “They’re a very disciplined, well-coached team. We have had our trials and tribulations this year with injuries and a tough non-conference schedule but this feels great.”

Ozzauto, a 1,000-point scorer who ended the regular season with 29 and 30-point games, will play at D-1 Leigh University next season while Sammi Campanelli will play basketball at Lewis University in Romeoville. The seniors also who showed the way for Huntley were Ashlyn Horton and Mallory Winters, who will also play college ball, as Horton selected Western Kentucky while Winters will play at Carthage College in Kenosha. Senior reserves are Bella Blizer, Ali Monis and Alyssa Koop.

The HHS’s resume included a 400th career win for coach Raethz, who ended with 423 victories this season as well as an 18-0 run to the school’s seventh Fox Valley Conference title.

Ozzauto and Sammi Campanelli said the future looks strong for the future, led by this season’s junior contributors, Anna Campanelli, Cassidy Serpe and Ava McFadden.

It was a farewell though for the seniors group which started playing hoops in fifth grade. At about 9 p.m., parents cheered for one final time the 2022-23 Red Raiders.