One more big hurdle.

That’s what stands in the way of the focused Shoreland Lutheran girls basketball team, which appears determined to give longtime coach Bruce Heckmann a going-away present that he will always remember.

In order to qualify for the WIAA State Tournament for the first time in school history, though, the Pacers (20-5) will need to defeat Oostburg (22-4) in a Division-3 sectional final 7 tonight at West Bend.

“We want to keep going,” Shoreland senior Mindy Schalinske said, “and finish in Madison.”

Fresh off a 47-44 victory over Midwest Classic Conference rival Whitefish Bay Dominican in the sectional semifinal on Thursday, the Pacers will look to ride that emotional wave tonight against Oostburg.

“It was probably about as wild of a locker room scene as I can remember,” said Heckmann, who is leaving Shoreland at the end of the school year after coaching 27 varsity seasons. “Usually I walk in and things get pretty quiet. Not that night.”

Facing a powerhouse

The Flying Dutch, who won an undefeated state title in 2008, have compiled a record of 118-10 (.922) in the last five seasons. Ranked No. 9 in the latest WisSports.net state coaches poll, Oostburg has qualified for the State Tournament three years in a row and five of the last seven.

“I’m pretty familiar with them because they have been a traditional powerhouse,” Heckmann said. “Over the years, I’ve made an effort to watch them. There’s a real confidence about the whole team.”

Oostburg has a go-to player in All-State performer Julie Raeder, who averages 18.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

“She’s 5-10, left-handed and very physical,” Heckmann said. “She shoots the three extremely well (57-of-114). She shoots free throws at 88 percent (94-of-107). She’s definitely the head of the snake.”

Six-footer Amanda Huibregtse is second on the team in scoring (12.1 ppg).

In the Wisconsin Women’s Basketball Yearbook, Raeder and Huibregtse were ranked No. 23 and No. 37, respectively, among the state’s top seniors.

Bahr on a roll

Shoreland’s Taylor Bahr is coming off one of her best games of the season vs. Dominican. The 5-foot-11 junior finished with 23 points — one shy of her season high — 14 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

“She seems to have hit a new level of confidence and initiative at a good time for us,” Heckmann said.

Bahr kept her team in the game with 16 points in the first half on the strength of three 3-pointers. She entered the contest with 11 3-pointers on the season.

“She just worked really hard,” Schalinske said. “We can always count on her.”