Defensive Effort Key to Win over Tabor

The Huskies were hungry from the opening tip of today's match-up with undefeated Tabor Academy. They built an 11-4 lead mid-way through the first quarter behind some sharp shooting from co-captains Tahlia Pena and Elyse Ngenda. The gap widened to as much as 10 in the second quarter with Serenity Lancaster netting 13 of her game-high 23 points. However, it was defensive intensity that allowed the Huskies to walk away with the W today. Adriana Hernandez left it all on the court - boxing out players much taller than her, diving for loose balls, and playing stifling defense. Kitt Jones was once again a defensive stalwart, as was sophomore Ava Perry. An offensive charge drawn by Abby Schrader before the break was a momentum buster for the Seawolves.

Tabor did not go down without a fight and cut the lead to 3, 43-40, after 3 periods. The Huskies built a 9-point cushion in the 4th, but turnovers and fouls allowed the Seawolves to get within one point, 57-56, with a minute left in the game. Key free throws down the stretch by Hernandez, Pena, and Ngenda secured the 62-58 win for the Huskies.

New Hampton improves to 9-3 and will host Lakes Region and NEPSAC AAA League opponent Tilton School on Wednesday at 4:30pm. 

Stats
Lancaster - 23 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk
Ngenda - 16 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl
Pena - 10 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl
Hernandez - 5 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl
Perry - 4 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl
Jones - 2 pts, 2 rebounds, 1 ast, 3 stl
Stores - 2 pts