Momentum swings in the other direction

A strong second half lifted Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn past Sheldon, 57-46, in a non-conference girls' basketball game on Jan. 13 at Sheldon.

The first half was a tight battle, with the first quarter ending in an 8-8 tie and H-M-S leading 25-24 at halftime. The Hawks broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Orabs by eight to build a 43-34 lead.

Four H-M-S players scored in double figures: Moriah Otto, 14 points; Gracie Knobloch and Kylee Schiphoff, 13 each; and Abby Douma, 10. Lindsey Van Es scored four points and Frankie Mohni added three.

The Hawks only made 12 shots from the floor, but converted 27-of-39 attempts at the free throw line (69.2 percent). Sheldon was 12-of-18 at the charity stripe.

Schiphoff had seven rebounds and two steals; Otto had six rebounds and two steals; Douma had six blocks in addition to three rebounds; Van Es had three rebounds; and Knobloch had three assists and three steals.

• Lose close battle with H-LP

The statistics indicated the game between H-M-S and Harris-Lake Park on Jan. 14 in Hartley was fairly even. That was also reflected in the final score, which was 50-45 in favor of the Wolves.

The Hawks' early lead did not last and they trailed 9-6 after one quarter. A scoring run early in the second quarter put the Hawks in front, 24-12, but H-LP rallied to go out in front, 27-26.

H-M-S never led in the second half. H-LP led by seven points in the third quarter and by eight early in the fourth. The Hawks scored six unanswered points to narrow the margin to 46-45 with two minutes to play. Both teams then went scoreless until H-LP made two free throws with 46 seconds remaining and then scored off a steal to seal the win.

Scoring for H-M-S included 15 points by Schiphoff, 14 by Douma, eight by Mohni, five by Knobloch and three by Otto.

Schiphoff led H-M-S with 11 rebounds and two steals; Douma had 10 rebounds and six blocks; and Knobloch had four rebounds, five assists and two steals.

• Hinton dominates second half

Hinton (2A No. 4) ran away from H-M-S in the second half to earn a 61-25 win on Jan. 17 at Hinton. It was the Hawks' fourth loss in five games since the holiday break.

H-M-S stayed within striking distance in the first half, trailing 11-9 after one quarter and 28-18 at halftime. Hinton broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Hawks by a 27-3 margin.

Knobloch scored nine points, Schiphoff scored seven, Mohni scored five, and Douma and Eliza Tewes added two points.

Schiphoff grabbed eight rebounds; Douma had seven rebounds and five blocks; Otto had six rebounds; Tewes had three rebounds; and Mohni had three steals.

The Hawks (8-6, 3-3) are on the road at Akron-Westfield on Jan. 24 and at MMCRU on Jan. 28.