Second-half defense tames the Tigers

A strong second half was a key factor in Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's 53-42 win over Trinity Christian on Dec. 3 in Hartley. It was the Hawk girls' first win of the season.

H-M-S got off to a fast start, scoring the first nine points of the game. They led 15-4 at the end of the first quarter and 23-12 early in the second. But defensive pressure turned things around for the Tigers who cut the deficit to 27-26 by half time.

"Once we settled down and ran our offense, we didn't do too badly," said Hawk coach Lester Tessum. "When they were pressing us in the second quarter, we didn't set things up and...