Class 3A title: Montini beats Hillcrest

"We wanted to do this for Michala," said Illinois State-bound senior Alison Seberger, who had 18 points on 6 of 12 3-point shooting. "So many doubted that we could do it without her and now we've showed everybody that we're the best team in the state."

The game appeared to turn on an unfortunate moment shortly after the Broncos built a 48-38 lead with 2 minutes, 5 seconds left in the third. The Hawks (28-4) closed the quarter on a 4-0 run and senior guard Uniquah Hampton attempted to draw a charge with 42 seconds remaining.

The collision at mid-court sent Hampton into the media table where she suffered a cut on her forehead, and she didn't return to the game. She was taken from Redbird Arena by ambulance early in the fourth with what Hillcrest coach John Maniatis said was a deep gash requiring "between 30 and 50 stitches."

Still, the Hawks, who led by as many as 12 in the first half, were able to close to within 48-44 with 5 minutes, 52 seconds left in the fourth. Montini bombed in three 3-pointers, and Adams had a put-back to cap an 11-5 Broncos run and extend the lead to 59-49 with 2 minutes, 11 seconds remaining. Hillcrest, making their first state finals appearance, would get no closer than six the rest of the way.

"She's one of the best players on the team and (her loss) kind of stopped our momentum," said Hillcrest senior guard Kristin Marshall. "Coach told us that we're not a one person team and that everybody had to step up and get the job done. We just couldn't get it done."