Generals are commanding in regional quarterfinal
Hawks struggle for consistency in 59-31 loss
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MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS
Gracie Knobloch is determined to drive past a Sibley-Ocheyedan defender during H-M-S's loss in the regional tournament on Feb. 15.
What a difference a change of venue and the stakes involved made when the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn and Sibley-Ocheyedan girls' basketball teams met for the second time.
With the exception of the third quarter, H-M-S had stayed right with S-O (2A No. 5) during a 55-45 regular season loss on Feb. 3 in Hartley. But when the Hawks traveled to Sibley on Feb. 15 for the quarterfinal round of the regional tournament, they were dominated from start to finish during a 59-31 season-ending loss.
The importance of the game and the Generals' home court advantage contributed to the final outcome.
"Part of it had to do with our team being more nervous going into a playoff game and realizing it could be their final one," said Hawk coach Lester Tessum. "S-O's crowd was also super-loud. It was a different atmosphere."
Unlike the regular season matchup, the Hawks did not get off to a good start in tournament play.
"In the first outing we hit our first three shots. This time we didn't hit any for a while," Tessum noted.
Sibley-Ocheyedan also harassed the Hawks with a pressing defense which helped them build a 17-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. H-M-S was held to just two points the rest of the half and trailed 26-9 at the break.
"They came out very aggressive defensively. We've struggled all year with breaking presses. That didn't help us either," Tessum acknowledged.
The Generals extended their advantage by nine in the second half to close out the win.
Kylee Schiphoff and Jasmine Lux scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Lydia Harders scored four points and Gracie Knobloch and Emily Mutombo each added two.
MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS
Emily Otto prepares to pass the ball to a teammate against Sibley-Ocheyedan in regional play at Sibley.
The Hawks connected on 13-of-42 shots from the field and 5-of-10 at the foul line. S-O was 25-of-52 and 5-of-7, respectively. H-M-S committed 26 turnovers while the Generals finished with 25.
H-M-S was outrebounded by a 31-15 margin. Schiphoff finished with seven rebounds along with five steals, Harders had three rebounds and two steals, Mutombo had a pair of rebounds and Abby Douma contributed two steals.
Tessum was happy to see the Hawks keep hustling throughout the game.
"Our 'never quit' attitude was a positive. They didn't quit and they played hard the whole game," he said. "I'm most proud of the girls' attitude and effort. They played with a great attitude and gave a great effort."
H-M-S ends the season at 7-16 overall while S-O improved to 17-5.
