After a runner-up finish in the state finals last year, Fremd has another shot at a title.
Fremd used a strong third quarter to take control, then cruised to a 48-36 win over Huntley on Monday at the Class 4A Fremd Supersectional in Palatine.
The Vikings, who also defeated Huntley in last year’s supersectional, will play Young at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals in Normal.
“It’s awesome, I’m excited to go back downstate,” said Fremd’s Brianna Lewis, who scored a team-high 14 points. “Hopefully this year we can do better, and I’m just ready for the journey to begin again.”
The first half was close, with Fremd (29-2) leading 19-18 at halftime. But the Vikings, who started slow in front of their home crowd, went on a 9-0 run in the last three minutes of the third quarter to take a 39-30 advantage.
Lewis fueled the run with four points, including a steal and layup, and finished with eight in the quarter.
“I got two fouls in the first half, I knew I had to compose myself, slow down and get my opportunities,” Lewis said.
Huntley (30-4) had trouble putting a dent in Fremd’s lead in the fourth with Illinois-bound Ali Andrews in foul trouble. Andrews, who scored a game-high 20 points, fouled out with about three minutes left.
“Ali Andrews is pretty unstoppable, but getting her to foul out of the game was a goal of ours and that helped a lot,” said Fremd’s Grace Tworek, who scored 13 points.
Huntley led 14-7 early in the second behind Andrews’ eight points.
“In your own gym you put pressure on yourself that you’ve got to win the game,” Fremd coach Dave Yates said. “We just talked at halftime about taking a breath and play. We knew we were going to play better basketball in the second half.”
Bob Hurst is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
Player of the game: Brianna Lewis, Fremd, 14 points.
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Key performers: Fremd — Grace Tworek, 13 points, 11 rebounds. Huntley — Ali Andrews, 20 points; Morgan Clausen, 10 points, 9 rebounds.