Skip Navigation

RFH 2010, Cover Stories, HCS Girls Basketball

Lady Knights Escape with Senior Night Win

Fri, Feb 18, 2011

Lady Knights Escape with Senior Night Win

What started out as a Senior Night cakewalk turned into a walk on the wild side for the HCS girls basketball team tonight

After sprinting off to a huge lead in the first half, things got a little wobbly and only some clutch free throw shooting in the final minutes ensured Hamilton's 45-37 win at home.

Hamilton started out as they have so often this year, breaking from the gate and compiling a solid lead; at one point it was 20-2 in favor of the Lady Emerald Knights. But, just as Coach Jessica Poole warned her team at halftime, Oriskany would make a run in the second half.

That run chipped away at Hamilton's lead, cutting it to three points late in the fourth period. As expected, Oriskany repeatedly fouled Hamilton in an attempt to get the ball back. However they chose to foul the wrong player: Katie Weeks (in photo).

Weeks went to the free throw line nine times in the fourt period alone and made seven points. That was Hamiton's entire offensive output for the period and came in the final few minutes when Oriskany was closing hard.

The difference between the two halves?

"In the first half we played great defense," said Poole. In particular, Poole praised senior Sara Whyatt, who wound up with just two points but had 11 rebounds and helped shut down Oriskany's scoring.

Senior Jordan Peterson ended her regular season career in front of the hometown fans with a double/double: 21 points and 13 rebounds. She, Whyatt and Kendall Rusch dominated underneath, reversing the scenario from the first time these two teams met this year.

Weeks ended the night with 16 points. Katherien keever had two and Rusch scored four.

Now the Lady Emerald Knights wait until Sunday's seeding meeting. Poole figures Hamilton most likely will be the third seed, with Copenhagen being first and New York Mills second.

Hamilton fineshes the year 15-3 overall and 8-2 in league play for second place behind New York Mills.

Please login to post your comments.