Hopewell takes defensive struggle from Nottingham
HAMILTON » The Hopewell Valley and Nottingham High girls basketball teams believe that as long as they keep playing good defense and keep shooting, good things will happen.
That growth process can be tedious to watch at times, but, at other times, the vision of head coaches Jeff Losch and Lauren Adams is clear.
For now, despite injuries, the Bulldogs have a better grasp on the execution as they showed in a 34-21 win over the Northstars at the Galaxy Thursday.
Nottingham, which is still looking for its first win, played much better defense in the second half, but could not make up for the 14 points it allowed Hopewell 5-foot-9 junior forward Meggy Wiley in the first half.
Just when it appeared the home team had its defensive game plan in place (trailing, 7-4, after one quarter), Wiley got hot and connected on 10 second-quarter points to help the visitors take a 19-7 lead into the locker room.
“I have to come in and gain confidence in my shot,” said Wiley, who went on to lead all scorers in the game with 19 points. “I started by making shorter shots in the first quarter, then moved away from the basket in the second quarter (when she hit two 3-point field goals).”
Wiley’s scoring touch was the difference in a game in which missed shots reigned.
Though 5-10 junior forward Sara Haas countered with 11 points and nine rebounds for the Northstars, her four field goals were half of her team’s total.
Haas’ three successful free throws accounted for all but one of the foul shots her team made in a game where they shot 4-for-15 (27 percent) from the charity stripe.
The good news for Nottingham was that the Bulldogs had similar struggles, shooting 7-for-18 (39 percent) from the foul line.
“I can’t not smile at the effort my girls gave,” Adams said. “To hold Hopewell Valley to the points we did is the most I can ask of the girls. I can’t fault the defensive effort. We just couldn’t hit shots.”
Adams talked about the free throws and the layups in which her team needs to become more confident. Despite her smile, it was a frustrating reality since the Northstars trimmed the margin to 1915 midway through the third quarter, with chances to get closer, but could not capitalize.
In fact, the Bulldogs did not connect on a field goal until Ally Oldfield scored in the final seconds. Other than that, a pair of foul shots by Katee Kemether (eight rebounds) were all the visitors had to show for the third quarter.
“We struggled a little on defense and lacked energy at times,” said Wiley, who is one of six girls who stand 5-9 or taller in Losch’s lineup. “We have a lot of potential. We just have to pull it all together.”
Wiley helped bridge that gap Thursday when she converted a three-point play after the home team had drawn as close as 24-18. That sparked a 10-3 closing run for Hopewell Valley, in which senior forward Bailey Coughlin hit 3-of-4 foul shots and freshman guard Franki Gomez scored three of her five points.
Coughlin 0-3-3, Wiley 8-1-19, Apai 0-0-0, Kemether 0-2-2, Oldfield 2-0-5, Danieluk 0-0-0, MSchrader 0-0-0, Gomez 2-1-5.
12-7-34.
Totals —
Diaz 2-0-4, Kerekes 1-0-3, Haas 4-3-11, Pocino 0-0-0, Penix 1-1-3, Dezarne 0-0-0, Midura 0-0-0.
8-4-21.
Totals — Hopewell (2-1) Nottngham(0-3) 3-point goals —
Kerekes (N).
7 4 12 3 4 8 11 — 6 — 34 21
Wiley 2, Oldfield (HV),