There was the ice bag taped around Megan Conlin’s knee, Quincy Kellett’s broken finger, and assorted team-wide nicks and bruises that ultimately defined the season that Rosary’s girls basketball team had.
The Royals lost 41-29 to Rockford Lutheran in Thursday’s Class 3A Hampshire Sectional championship game, but showed grit and toughness against the taller and more talented Crusaders.
“The amount of effort and perseverance you bring means everything,” Conklin said. “To be able to exhibit those values to the team has been amazing.”
Equally amazing was the postseason run that Rosary (13-18) went on to reach the title game against Rockford Lutheran (27-5).
The Royals entered the playoffs with only 10 wins but ticked off three straight to reach the sectional final, including the program’s first regional title since 2008 — a 40-29 win over Aurora Central Catholic on Feb. 20.
“To be honest, it’s our faith, and all season we’ve been talking about confidence,” Rosary coach Jessie Terrell said. “They came together, believed that they belonged, and they proved it tonight.”
Through one quarter, Rosary’s scrappiness carried the day. The Royals defended hard and controlled their defensive glass in taking a 6-4 lead, getting baskets from Kellett, Mary Kate Bakala, and Lauren Smith.
Rosary struggled to find good shots throughout the second quarter as Rockford Lutheran defended well and earned an 8-3 scoring edge, giving the Lady Crusaders a 12-9 halftime lead.
Kellett had three rebounds, two assists and three points at halftime while Conlin pulled down six rebounds against the taller Lady Crusaders. Conlin finished with seven points, eight rebounds and three steals to end her high school career.
The third quarter continued the game’s slow offensive pace until the midway point, and that’s when Rockford’s Kailyn Strawbridge largely took over.
In addition to slowing down Kellett defensively in the second half, Strawbridge scored all of her game-high 15 points after halftime, getting to the basket with regularity.
“She’s a great player and she definitely changed the game,” Kellett said.
The Crusaders posted a 29-20 scoring edge over the Royals in the second half.
“We slowed them down for three quarters and in the fourth quarter they got going,” Terrell said. “But I’m very proud of my team defensively, against a very good Rockford Lutheran team.”
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Rosary felt the pain that accompanies the final loss of any season, but the Royals left Hampshire feeling better than good.
“We’re just proud to be here at all, so the way we came out and competed against a high-caliber team like that — I’m so proud of everyone for the way we competed,” Kellett said. “This was something special. Never in a million years did I expect to be standing here after a sectional final game.”
Gary Larsen is a freelance writer.