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February 15, 2023

The Huntley girls’ basketball team feels being well-prepared for out-of-area foes will lead to post-season success.
Steve Peterson
The Huntley girls’ basketball team feels being well-prepared for out-of-area foes will lead to post-season success.

Sports • February 15, 2023

HHS advances to own regional final

By

HUNTLEY — The Huntley girls’ basketball team feels being well-prepared for out-of-area foes will lead to post-season success.

It’s so far, so good in that regard as HHS turned back a gritty effort by DeKalb, 59-38, in the Class 4A regional clash Feb. 14. The Red Raiders move on to their regional final, scheduled for Feb. 16 against a tough Rockford Guilford (23-9) squad. The winner moves on to the Hampshire sectional semifinal Feb. 21.

“It feels good to come away with a win and we’re excited to get to play in the regional final game,” HHS coach Steve Raethz said. “It’s about finding a way to move on. I thought Kailey Porter was a very versatile player. We played Ashlyn Horton, Mallory Winters and Anna Campanelli on her. They rebounded the ball well, an area we will have to clean up for Thursday.”

The Red Raiders, 28-4, studied hard before the Barbs came to town. The two teams played at the DeKalb MLK Tournament a month before.

“We watched a lot of film on them and then practiced what we learned from it,” Huntley sophomore Anna Campanelli said.

“I worked on my defense a lot this year,” Anna Campanelli said. “Our offense starts with the defense. We trust each other on both ends of the floor.”

Jessie Ozzauto led the way with 20 points, followed by Anna Campanelli and Sammi Campanelli with 11 points.

DeKalb coach Brad Bjelk liked what he saw from his 11-win squad but also saluted Huntley’s talent.

“I thought our girls showed a lot of heart tonight,” Bjelk said. “Huntley is a tough and talented team with a couple of good shooters. They’re just a great team.”

Girls gain FVC perfection

At the gym of one of the first IHSA Girls State quarterfinal teams (1977-78) a group of Huntley well-wishers gathered after the Red Raiders reached perfection in the Fox Valley Conference season. The 18-0 Huntley squad had just turned back Crystal Lake Central, 57-42, Feb. 10.

Seniors Sammi Campanelli and Ozzauto led the effort with 16 points each. Ozzauto finished the regular season with a career total of 1,045 points.

“We just got going in the second half working on our ‘stuff’,” Sammi Campanelli said. “It’s awesome to do that (18-0) with this team. The 18-0 record was our goal going in and we are proud of that accomplishment.”

“We had a great third quarter and were able to extend the lead after they had cut it to six points,” Raethz said. “I’m happy to see how we responded. We expect to see each team’s best effort against us.”