OGLESBY – Hinckley-Big Rock girls basketball coach Greg Burks couldn’t have been more proud of his team’s performance in Monday’s 42-30 sectional semifinal win over Putnam County.

Burks said his Royals had possibly their best defensive effort of the season in the Class 1A Illinois Valley Community College Sectional, taking smart gambles to force turnovers and playing good help defense. H-BR also maintained the tempo the way Burks wanted, keeping it steady and not getting into a track meet with the Panthers.

To Burks, it also was another group effort, something that has been consistent with the Royals all season. There was Abbie Tosch scoring a game-high 19 points in the post, Jacqueline Madden taking care of the ball against the Panthers’ press and Lauren Paver forcing turnovers.