Unable to get into a groove
Hawks cannot overcome defensive pressure in girls' regional opener
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Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn could never get comfortable against Emmetsburg's defense during the opening round of the Class 2A Region 3 girls' basketball tournament. That proved to be a significant factor in the Hawks' season-ending 52-38 loss at Emmetsburg on Feb. 11.
H-M-S struggled to score in the opening period, which ended with Emmetsburg leading 14-7. The Hawks managed to get to within three points on two occasions in the second quarter, but again trailed by seven (26-19) when the first half ended.
Emmetsburg's defense kept H-M-S from getting any consistent scoring throughout the contest.
"Emmetsburg had tough ball-pressure defense that we just didn't know what to do with," said Hawk coach Jenni Van Otterloo. "We didn't get many outside shots off because of that and, in return, hurt our shooting game."
H-M-S scored six straight points during a brief stretch of the third quarter, but the E-Hawks answered with a 9-0 scoring run to extend the advantage to 41-25. The fourth quarter was scoring standoff and the Hawks could not get any closer than 13 points.
Abby Douma and Kylee Schiphoff led H-M-S with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Moriah Otto scored seven points, Frankie Mohni made a three-pointer and Elise Haack and Emily Mutombo each finished with two points.
The Hawks shot a respectable 42 percent from the field, but were only able to get off 31 shot attempts. They were 11-of-19 (58 percent) at the foul line, and committed 26 turnovers.
"We just couldn't get into a groove and find ways to score the ball," Van Otterloo acknowledged.
Otto had five rebounds; Mutombo and Schiphoff each had four rebounds and three steals; Douma was credited with four rebounds and three blocks; Haack had four rebounds, three assists and two steals; Mohni grabbed three rebounds; and Gracie Knobloch contributed two assists.
Emmetsburg (11-11) was led in scoring by Rachel Schany with 13 points and Maddy Anderson and Myra Steffen with 10 each.
H-M-S finishes the 2022-23 season with a record of 3-18. A season recap will be featured in a future issue.
