Sophia McMillan's relentless ball pressure helps Fremd capture a Class 4A regional championship

Win or lose, Fremd — which went downstate the last two seasons and reached the Class 4A championship game a year ago — knew its game Friday would be its last on its home floor this season.

The Vikings didn’t get off to the start they wanted to, fouling too much and allowing too many easy baskets. But they increased the pressure in the second quarter, and senior guard Sophia McMillan was the catalyst.

‘‘She’s one of our magic puzzle pieces,’’ Fremd coach James Weaver said. ‘‘We can put her on a big [player], put her on a small.’’

McMillan raised the Vikings’ defensive intensity, suffocating Barrington’s ballhandlers and cutting off their every dribble. Her stifling defense forced the Broncos into multiple turnovers.

Fremd took control of the game after allowing only three points in the second quarter and coasted to a 60-30 victory in the title game of a Class 4A regional to advance to the sectional semifinals.

‘‘We started pressing them as a team and being connected on the floor, [which] really helped us with getting steals,’’ said McMillan, who scored seven of her 11 points in the second quarter.

Senior Greta Thompson was also a key to the Vikings’ lockdown quarter. She used great anticipation to come up with back-to-back steals that led to Fremd baskets.

‘‘That’s the one thing that we’ve been saying all playoffs: We have to play together,’’ said Thompson, who scored 13 points.

Junior guard Grace Todd joined McMillan with 11 points, and senior forward Isabella Del Mar added four points and six rebounds.

Creating havoc defensively enabled the Vikings’ transition offense to thrive. Barrington wasn’t ready for Fremd’s run-and-jump defensive tactics.

The Vikings don’t have one player who dominates the ball offensively. Instead, they run a motion offense predicated on driving and kicking the ball out to open teammates to create advantages.

Fremd’s doesn’t have the tallest players, either, but the Vikings are strong at covering for each other defensively and competing for rebounds. If a player gambles for a steal, teammates are ready to help until that player is back in position.

Fremd has nine seniors on its roster. They wanted to go out in style on their home floor.

‘‘[The game] was emotional because I care so much about this program,’’ Thompson said. ‘‘Going into this game, I felt like, ‘OK, we’ve gotta just leave everything we have because it’s our last time playing here.’ ’’

McMillan will be done playing basketball after this playoff run, so she’s soaking in every moment. She has committed to Illinois to play soccer.

‘‘It’s an amazing feeling as a senior,’’ McMillan said. ‘‘Each game is just so surreal. Going downstate is definitely our goal.’’

Kenwood, the defending Class 4A champion, was upset by Hinsdale Central in its regional championship game. If the Vikings can remain as connected defensively and play with as much energy as they did against the Broncos, then they’ll give themselves a chance against most teams.

Fremd will play Hersey in the sectional semifinals Tuesday at Schaumburg.

‘‘Survive and advance, right?’’ Weaver said.