Playing well through three quarters proved to be enough for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. The Hawks built a large lead against Harris-Lake Park, but the Wolves nearly erased all of it. In the end, HMS was able to come away with a 48-41 victory in the game played January 30 at Hartley.
The Hawks enjoyed a 26-point lead, 43-17, late in the third quarter. Defense then sparked a Harris-Lake Park comeback and with 1:40 left in fourth the margin was down to five at 45-40. Kylee Schiphoff made three of six free throw attempts during the final minute while the Wolves added just one free throw and HMS had its W.
“We had a really strong first half, which helped us secure the win in the end,” commented Hawk head coach Ashley Tessum. “HLP had a good comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, so our success in their first half was crucial in keeping the lead until the end of the game.”
Tessum shined the spotlight on several HMS players who were instrumental in the win. “Abby Douma’s (seven) blocks and 13 rebounds as well as Moriah Otto’s 10 rebounds, mostly defensive, were key in not letting HLP have second looks at the bucket. Kylee Schiphoff’s 20 points and Frankie Mohni’s 12 points gave us the bulk of our points, most of which came early in the game, which proved to be critical since HLP shut down our offense in the fourth quarter.”
Supplementing the scoring from Schiphoff and Mohni were Douma with seven points, Otto with five and Gracie Knobloch and Lindsey Van Es with two each. Guards Mohni and Knobloch each recorded two assists. Schiphoff also delivered six rebounds, three steals and one block. Knobloch added five rebounds and two steals.
For the game the Hawks shot nearly 33 percent with 13 baskets in 40 attempts. Harris-Lake Park was 15-of-68 from the floor for 22 percent. The Wolves were just 2-of-27 from beyond the arc and HMS 6-of-20. The Hawks attempted 26 free throws and made 16. The Wolves shot 9-for-16 at the line. HMS survived turning the ball over 33 times. HLP committed 18 turnovers.  
H-LP 9 5 8 19 – 41
HMS 15 17 11 5 – 48