Streaking in the right direction

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's trio of double-digit scorers outdid three Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire players who also scored in double figures during their girls' basketball game on Dec. 16. That advantage proved to be the difference during a 74-67 victory on the Hawks' home court.

In addition to scoring 27 points, Kylee Schiphoff pulled down 12 rebounds and added two assists and two steals. Abby Douma scored 15 points, blocked nine shots and grabbed five rebounds. Moriah Otto added 11 points, 11 rebounds and three steals.

In addition, Gracie Knobloch scored nine points, Lindsey Van Es scored six and Eliza Tewes added five.

H-M-S trailed much of the first quarter but rallied to force a 17-17 tie. The Hawks went ahead in the second quarter and led 33-28 at halftime.

The Titans came back in the third quarter to take a four-point lead. The teams then traded scores and the quarter ended in a 52-52 tie. The seesaw battle continued until the final two minutes, when the Hawks converted 7-of-8 free throws to seal the win.

Knobloch had six assists, four rebounds and three steals; Tewes had five rebounds, three assists and two steals; Otto had three steals; and Van Es added three assists.

• Hawks hold off Wolverines

H-M-S's early advantage proved to be enough to hold off South O'Brien, 51-41, on Dec. 17 at Paullina.

The Hawks built a 16-8 lead in the first quarter before the Wolverines narrowed the deficit to 30-25 at halftime. A strong start to the second half extended H-M-S's advantage to 45-34, and the teams played on even terms during a low-scoring fourth quarter.

Scoring leaders were Schiphoff with 15 points, Douma with 10, Frankie Mohni with nine, Otto with eight and Knobloch with four.

Otto finished with 11 rebounds and two blocks; Douma had eight rebounds and a dozen blocks; Schiphoff contributed six rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two assists; Tewes grabbed five rebounds; Knobloch had four assists; Addy Sheeler added three assists; and Mohni had three rebounds.

• Top St. Mary's to extend winning steak

The Hawks extended their wining streak to four games by outscoring Remsen St. Mary's by 19 points in the second half, closing out a 50-35 victory on Dec. 20 in Hartley.

Remsen St. Mary's led most of the first half and outscored H-M-S by two in both quarters to take a 20-16 lead into halftime.

H-M-S went ahead for good on a basket by Tewes midway through the third quarter, and held a 34-29 advantage to start the final period. Back-to-back baskets by Otto in the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 12 points.

Schiphoff scored 16 points in the second half and finished with 21 overall. She also contributed 10 rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

Douma finished with 12 points, eight blocks and five rebounds; Otto had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Tewes had four points and four rebounds; Knobloch added five assists, three points and three rebounds; and Van Es also had three rebounds.

H-M-S improved to 7-2 overall and 3-0 in War Eagle Conference play. They return to action on Jan. 2 at Unity Christian.