Hillcrest hangs on; advances to title

NORMAL - Shooting 37 percent from the field, losing the rebounding game and making only four of 17 free throw attempts is hardly the way Hillcrest mapped out a victory in the IHSA Class 3A Girls Basketball state semifinal against Oswego. But despite their imperfections, at no point did it look like the Hawks would lose this game. The Hawks broke away from a 7-7 tie at the end of the first quarter to eliminate the Panthers, 54-45. 

In a game filled with mistakes, Hillcrest's Yolanda De La Torre showed why she was the clutchest player on the court. De La Torre hit nine of her 13 shot attempts for a team-high 18 points. She grabbed eight rebounds as well. 

The first quarter had the feel of a heavyweight battle. Neither team lit up the scoreboard, but a close game was expected since the two state semifinalists had only five combined losses up to this point. 

But the better team proved themselves in the second. The Hawks outscored Oswego 20-7 in the frame, taking advantage of multiple Panther turnovers. 

What looked to be a possible blowout became somewhat interesting as Oswego outscored Hillcrest 20-15 in the third quarter. 

The game became more interesting as Oswego continued their gradual comeback into the fourth quarter. The Panthers cut their deficit to five points at 43-38 with just over three minutes remaining on a Paige harmon basket and foul. Harmon missed the free throw. 

But before she got to the line to complete the possible three-point play, Oswego head coach Chad Pohlmann called a timeout, in effect icing his own shooter and ending the momentum his team had built up leading to that point. 

Hillcrest missed a number of free throws down the stretch, keeping Oswego in the game. But the Panthers could never take advantage, turning the ball over in key situations.

A steal and lay-up drive by Hillcrest's Uniquah Hampton with 1 minute, 46 seconds remaining gave the Hawks an eight-point lead and all but ended the competitive portion of the contest. 

It may not have been their best game of the season, but the loud Hillcrest crowd that was on hand will take it. They will meet up with Lombard (Montini) in the 3A state championship game Saturday at 2 p.m. 

Photo: Hillcrest's Yolanda De La Torre (42) came through in the clutch for the Hawks.