Taking on a top-ranked team without your full compliment of players is never an easy assignment. That’s what faced Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn as the Hawks hosted Unity Christian December 21 at Hartley. The Knights, rated number one in Class 3A, turned in a workmanlike performance, downing HMS 65-31 to improve to 8-1 on the season, including 4-0 in the War Eagle Conference. The loss dropped the Hawks to 0-3 in the conference. HMS takes its holiday break with a season mark of 2-5.
Senior Jasmine Lux and junior Emily Mutombo were unavailable for the Hawks. Senior Emily Otto and junior Elise Haack were able to play despite some health issues. “I was thinking we were going to be down to one starter,” remarked HMS head coach Lester Tessum. Still, a number of players saw action for the Hawks. “The freshmen got some good experience,” said Tessum.
The frosh contributions included six points from Abby Douma; four points, eight rebounds and three steals from Kylee Schiphoff; four points from Eliza Tewes; and three points from Gracie Schiphoff. Frankie Mohni provided valuable backcourt minutes. A good dose of senior leadership was delivered by Lydia Harders, who provided 12 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Otto contributed two points, two steals, a rebound and an assist.
Unity’s dynamic duo of Tyra Schuiteman and Gracie Schoonhoven tallied 25 and 20 points respectively.
HMS head coach Lester Tessum liked the positive impact of his team grabbing 10 offensive rebounds. “Crashing the boards trying to get an extra shot up always helps,” said Tessum. The coach noted a lack of aggressiveness from his team and their struggle to stop Unity from driving to the basket and make them take outside shots. He did see improvement in the second half. “A lot of times they did step up and stop the drive,” noted Tessum. “The thing I like about our girls is they don’t quit.”
The Hawks struggled to 29 percent shooting for the game with 14 hoops in 48 attempts. Unity shot over 50 percent, making 31 of 60 field goal tries. Once again HMS was selective from long range with only one trey in three attempts. The Knights launched 16 three-pointers, making just three. There was little activity at the free throw line where the Hawks went 2-for-2 and Unity 0-for-3.
The Knights made 17 steals as HMS turned the ball over 22 times. Unity committed 15 turnovers.
Unity 16 21 22 6 – 65
HMS 8 5 8 10 – 31