Class 3A sectional final at Rich East
Records: Hillcrest (26-4), Lemont (25-6)
Halftime: Hillcrest, 27-14.
Summary: The more athletic Hawks won their first sectional title since 2001. A stingy half-court press by the Hawks combined with a ferocious man-to-man defense forced 13 first-quarter turnovers. That combined with an up-tempo pace helped the winners race to a 13-4 lead they never relinquished. The Indians, who were outrebounded 43-18, were vying for their first sectional title since 1984. Hillcrest will meet the Metamora/Peoria Richwoods winner on Monday in the Illinois Wesleyan supersectional at Bloomington.
Top performers: Hillcrest — C Juanita Robinson 22 points, 4 steals; G Shannise Heady 13 points; F Uniquati Hampton 10 rebounds, 3 steals; Yolanda De La Torre 10 rebounds. Lemont — G Erin Stahurski 14 points, 10 rebounds.
The bonus: “Coach (John Maniatis) told us we have to take this step by step, and winning the sectional is just bucket No. 4,” Robinson said.