A number of missed shots in the lane by Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn allowed a 1-17 Akron-Westfield squad to hang around against the Hawks as the teams battled February 5 at Hartley. HMS would extend its lead in the last minutes of the fourth quarter to win the War Eagle Conference contest 74-60. The victory allowed the Hawks to improve to 4-5 in the conference. A 3-0 week lifted the team’s overall mark to 11-8.
HMS took a 19-11 lead early in the second quarter but the Westerners drew even at 25-all. The Hawks clawed in front 33-28 by intermission. HMS increased its margin to 14 points in the third quarter which ended with the Hawks ahead 51-42. Akron-Westfield pulled within five points on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.
Despite failing to convert some close-range shots, HMS was 29-of-59 from the field for 49 percent. The Hawks were 11-of-17 from behind the three-point line and canned 11 of their 17 free throw attempts.
HMS got four scorers in double figures led by Kooper Ebel with 24 points. Ben Haack scored 16 points, Lance Berends 14 and Kayl Jacobsma 12. Four points came from Sam Heyn and two points apiece from Jordan Ortega and Keevyn Jacobsma. Six of the team’s 17 assists came on the passes of Ebel.
Berends blocked five shots in the game and also snared a team-high 10 rebounds. Another seven boards came from Kayl Jacobsma as the Hawks totaled 31 rebounds as a team. HMS made 10 steals with six coming from Ebel. The Hawks turned the ball over just eight times.
A-W 11 17 14 18 – 60
HMS 17 15 18 23 – 74