The crowd was loud and emotions were high as Huntley faced Lake Zurich High School in round one of sectionals. Both taking the next step in sectionals and maintaining an undefeated record were on the line.
And it was a slug fest.
Huntley scored first with a two-pointer, but the first quarter would end 9-16 in favor of Lake Zurich. The second quarter was another dogfight. The teams were evenly matched, with no team staying ahead long.
As time expired on the first half of this tug-of-war match, the score was 19-24, Lake Zurich.
“We just had to step up,” senior Ava McFadden said. “We have really good players. We just had to organize.”
Through this all, the crowd was roaring. Raider Nation was on their feet and rowdy. Wild cheering for the Red Raiders filled the gym with noise from both students and parents in attendance.
Despite Lake Zurich’s tough defense and a game full of back-and-forth scoring, the Red Raiders never lost their spirit.
The third quarter saw Huntley fight back, with each point earned feeling like a hard-won victory. As the final period began, the tension was palpable.
The score was tied 29-29.
Huntley fell behind early in the fourth. In the final three minutes, Huntley tied the game back up. And the crowd erupted as Huntley pulled ahead with seconds left on the clock. An errant pass by Lake Zurich was stolen, and the game was over: 39-37.
“I knew we had it in us,” senior Anna Campanelli said. “It was all about trust and working together.”
The buzzer sounded, and the gym erupted into cheers. Huntley had not only secured the victory but also maintained their perfect season, remaining undefeated and advancing to the next round of sectionals. As the team celebrated, coach Steven Raethz could not help but reflect on the journey that had led them to this moment.
“It’s not always pretty, but we know how to fight through,” Raethz said. “This team has heart, and it shows. We’ll keep pushing forward.”
With their heads held high and spirits soaring, the Red Raiders are ready to take on the next challenge in the quest for a sectional title.
