Lady Lions down Hilhi for first NWOC win of the season

Squad holds off Hilhi, but slips to Parkrose

By John Brewington

The South County Spotlight, Jan 26, 2010

DOWN THE COURT—St. Helens’ Kellee Wood brings the ball to the half court during last Tuesday’s game with Hilhi.

John Brewington / The Spotlight

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It’s been another tough season for the St. Helens Lady Lions, but they found a way to win last week and came close in a second outing.

The team started the week with a solid 43-32 win at home over Hillsboro. They followed that with a narrow loss, 62-58, to Parkrose on Friday.

“I’m really happy for the girls,” Coach Rob Hahmeyer said after Tuesday’s game with Hilhi. “I know I yelled at them a bit, but they came out in the second half and started playing like they are capable of.”

The Lady Lions never trailed Hilhi. They got an early basket from Monique Smiley and Brooke Nolte added a three for a 5-0 lead. Jillian Ross would hit a trey and the squad led 8-6 after one.

The Lady Lions maintained the lead in the second quarter. While they were just one of six from the free-throw line in the period, they did get a big three from Emily Monroe and another bucket by Smiley.

St. Helens was up and then down in the third. Monroe hit another three and Smiley added two quick baskets for a 21-9 lead. Hilhi went on a small run, but mostly by hitting five of nine free throws. It was 23-18 going into the fourth.

Hillsboro languished seven more points in the fourth, but a technical on the St. Helens bench, a free throw and a basket pulled them to within two with two minutes to go. A deuce by Monroe, two free throws and a bucket by Nolte, and three points from Ross put the game away.

Friday night, Nolte had her highest scoring night ever with 24 points, but it wasn’t enough. Parkrose got 23 from freshman Shyanne Akles and 18 from sophomore Koy Saechao who hit five threes.

Still, Hahmeyer was pleased with Nolte’s effort. “She told me before the game that she was committed to scoring and she certainly lived up to that,” Hahmeyer said. “Now if I could get some of the others to do that.”

The Lady Lions host Liberty Thursday.

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