Starting the game - Delaney Lonsway (‘12), Cammie Lonsway (‘14), Genna Danes (‘12), Karla Luketic (‘11) and Kristin Bigelow (’12)
Several of the Hawks were hampered by illness and saw limited action throughout the afternoon.
First Quarter - First 3:10: TC 4 – MV 4 / Last 4:50: TC 12 – MV 4
Early play was marked by turnovers on both ends. Kristin scored the first two baskets for the Hawks and they were tied.
The Hawks fell behind during a stretch of breakdowns against the TC press – two flurries of two baskets each during the middle and end of the quarters. In between, there was this score by Genna
And this video is offered to illustrate the title of this story. In prior years, MV would not have been nearly this aggressive in going after rebounds and loose balls. Things are changing for the Hawks, and if they can play like this for 32 minutes straight, they can win more often than not.
Delaney made the last two points of the quarter for the Hawks from the line.
Yazmin AbdelKarim and Jordan Baker saw considerable action during the first quarter.
Second Quarter – TC 12 – MV 12
TC started the scoring with a two pointer, but MV roared right back with a top-of-the-key three pointer from Genna and a runner from Kristin for two
The Eagles were pressing the entire game and was substituting freely with a nine girl rotation. MV fared well though with better than average success breaking the pressure. Still, TC scored the next five points of the quarter.
Kristin scored twice more in the quarter, including this long two pointer
...and it was TC which called a time out at 2:06 to straighten out their defense with the score TC 26 - MV 18.
Third quarter – MV 8 – TC 7
Now there’s a scoring line you haven’t seen for a few years.
TC started the quarter in Man defense, MV played its stock 2-3 zone.
The Eagles’ coach kept her team in the locker room until the last minute, seemingly frustrated at her team’s inability to extend their first quarter lead. But whatever offensive instructions she gave her players fell on deaf ears. Both teams started out slowly and it wasn’t until under four minutes left in the quarter that TC scored first.
But the Hawks returned serve, Kristin first drawing a foul at 3:32, making one, then Delaney made a basket + 1:
…which she made. As Delaney was at the line, the TC fans were cheering for the miss – having the visiting crowd anxious this late in the game was indicative of the Hawks’ play in the quarter.
MV came out of the free throw in a press themselves and got the ball back after Genna blocked a shot. Kristin got to the line and made one of two. TC called another time out with 2:29 left and the score TC 33 – MV 25. Play continued and TC made a two pointer to lead by 10, but Maumee Valley scored the last three points of the quarter on three free throws, two by Kristin and one by Delaney.
The Hawks had won the quarter and were down by seven, 35-28.
Fourth quarter – First 4:30 - TC 11 – MV 0 / Last 3:30 – MV 7 – TC 4
The hill would be too steep for the Hawks this quarter. TC switched up their press from zone to man and it caused confusion and a flurry of quick baskets for the visitors. To break things up, Coach Mussery called a press of his own at the 4:23 mark, and forced a few turnovers. MV broke into the scoring column late in the game on a Kristin steal and basket.
At the 1:53 mark with an 18 point lead, TC emptied the bench. Maumee Valley scored five of the game’s last seven points and the game ended with TC up by 15.
Scoring
Kristin hit for 24 during the afternoon. Delaney (6) and Genna (5) were the other Hawk scorers.
Summary
One quarter at a time. That’s a fair measure of improvement for the young Hawks team. In this game they won a quarter and tied one against the Blade Division IV fifth ranked team. This game was significantly better played than the Hawks game at TC.
Two tough stretches especially in the fourth quarter when the Hawks were affected by illness did the home team in this day. But for the majority of the game this young team played hard and equal to the task. Coaches Dennis Mussery and Brian Lisk have significantly improved their team’s game since the beginning of the season.
With finals out of the way, the basketball doesn’t get any easier for MV as they travel to Ottawa Hills Friday evening for a 6pm game.
No comments:
Post a Comment