STERLING – The Dixon Duchesses couldn't have asked for any better execution of their game plan during Tuesday night's Class 3A Sterling Regional semifinal against the Rochelle Hubs.

Make life tough for Rochelle center Michelle Dobbs? Check. Get junior scorer Brooke Bailey some open looks on offense? Check. Have other players step up and take open shots ... and hit them? Check.

But the well ran dry at the least opportune time for the Duchesses. The shots stopped falling in the final minutes, and Dixon's season came to an end with a 45-36 loss to the Hubs.