Huntley girls basketball team trumps Cary Grove in a tight race to the finish

By Kate Rogala

Once the announcer finished listing off the players and their numbers, the two teams set up to start their game. 

After the Huntley girls basketball team’s devastating loss against Dundee Crown last week, they achieved a powerful win against Cary Grove. 

Right off the bat, Huntley started with the ball. #24, Kamsi Nwogu, races down the court. Speeding towards the basket, she makes her shot and earned a 2-point basket for the team. Shortly after she earns another, and then another. She was on fire tonight, her fierceness showing. 

“I’d say that Kamsi leads with a lot of the points we score,” Coach Henricksen said. 

After Cary Grove has a chance with the ball, #13, Ashley Guazzo, steals the ball from right under them and bolts back down the court. She makes a jump shot that goes right in the hoop earning 2 more points for the Huntley Raiders. 

As we near the end of the first quarter, #2, Nicole Flaherty, scores the last 2 points putting the Raiders in the lead 15-7. 

Entering the second quarter, MVP, Nicole Flaherty scores 3 more baskets and earned the team 6 more points. She is a force to be reckoned with when she is on the court. Not only is she fast but she is ruthless. 

Wrapping up the second quarter, the score is 25-23. Cary Grove is catching up, but will they end up on top?

Diving back from half-time, we start to earn 2 more points from Kamsi passed from Anna Seng. Throughout the game, Anna Seng was consistently passing the ball to her mates and guarding the other side. 

Not too long into the quarter, Madison Wash suffers a hard fall. There were no serious injuries, and she was able to limp off the court to take a break. 

But let’s forget that she suffered a very serious injury last year and was not able to play. We should admire her determination to make it back onto this year’s team and play in the game tonight. Wash, another MVP, scored many points throughout the third quarter. 

With only 2 minutes and 9 seconds remaining, the two teams are tied at 29 points. And with a minute left in the third quarter, the were tied again with 31 points. 

To wrap up that third quarter the score was 34-31 with our Raiders in the lead by only 3 points. 

Tensions are high as we enter the fourth and final quarter of tonight’s game. Cary Grove starts off with the ball but is soon stolen by Wash. #1, Sydney Novak, scores the first 2 points in the fourth quarter. 

At 2 minutes and 43 seconds, the Raiders are still in the lead 38-32 and a timeout is called. 

The clock is nearing the end and our Raiders are playing fiercer than ever. 

“The girls are very hardworking and eager to learn and work as well. They work well as a team,” Coach Henricksen said. 

At 26 seconds, we are at 41-24. When a foul ball is called by Cary Grove, Seng is able to make a 3 point shot on her first try, earning the team 3 more points. 

As the game is wrapping up, it’s down to our last 10 seconds. Feet are flying, arms are waving, and fans are cheering as the Raiders race down the court with the ball. Though the clock runs out the Raiders win 42-36. 

It was a very intense game and the girls were very passionate as they played. Because of their spirited efforts, they rightfully won the game and earned another win. Their new record is 4-3. Let’s go Raiders!