Girls hoops keep sights on FVC title
HUNTLEY – Huntley kept its focus on the prize of its third straight Fox Valley Conference girls basketball championship.
The Red Raiders have won six games, two with more than 60 points, since they lost their long FVC win streak at 37 games to Cary-Grove. Moving to within a tie of the loop title came with a 64-21 Red Raiders win over McHenry on Feb. 5. This followed a 68-41 HHS victory over Burlington Central Feb. 2. Huntley reached a 21-6 overall mark, 15-1 FVC, two games ahead of Hampshire with two remaining.
“We want to finish strong and win the FVC and play our best basketball when the playoffs start Feb. 12,” Huntley coach Steve Raethz said after the win over BC.
“I think we are playing well and communicating well with one another,” Huntley leading scorer Anna Campanelli said.
Against the Rockets, the effort was led by Campanelli, who had a solid 21 points, seven assists and five rebound game. Ava McFadden added nine, Paula Strzelecki and Alyssa Borzych each had eight.
The Red Raiders started fast against McHenry with a 26-points first quarter. Campanelli led with 14 points while Aubrina Adamik made three three-pointers on a 13-point night; Strzelecki added 10 and Madison Diaz had eight.
Frosh steps up
One day in pre-season practice, Raethz had some good news for one of the program’s newest players.
“I was so happy when I found out I made varsity,” freshman Borzych said. “It meant the coaches had confidence in me.”
Borzych has grown in her skills since that fateful day when she started varsity practice. She is part of the Red Raiders’ rotation and has developed a good outside shot, as her eight points in the first half of the win over Burlington Central showed. She made a pair of three-pointers in the first half.
Campanelli remembers when her name was called for a varsity roster spot in ninth grade.
“I have seen her confidence grown a lot,” Campanelli said of Borzych. “I remember when I was a freshman and the older players helped me, so I encourage her in practice and games.”
Raethz commented on Campanelli’s contributions to the squad’s success.
“Anna is our leading scorer and leads in assists. She has elevated her game in many levels and can score from all three levels, inside, outside and mid-range,” Raethz said.
Regional pairing
The Red Raiders, 20-6 at the IHSA pairings, will face the winner of Jacobs and McHenry on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Rockford Guilford Class 4A Regional. The winner advances to the regional final on Feb. 15.
