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BATAVIA – It was all Maine South in the first half of Tuesday’s showdown with Batavia.
The Hawks dominated the first 16 minutes of the nonconference contest for a commanding 27-3 halftime lead over the Bulldogs.
Batavia regrouped in the second half but could not overcome Maine South, resulting in a 47-28 Hawks win.
While Maine South’s tenacious defense forced five Batavia turnovers, Hawks shooters Katie Barker and Emily Currey combined for four 3-pointers in the first quarter for a commanding 16-3 lead.
“The key is for us always is to play at our pace on both ends of the floor, especially on the defensive end. When we’re locked in defensively that really gets us going,” said Maine South coach Jeffrey Hamann.
“I felt like defensively coming in, we were focused on getting out to their shooters and then when a shot went up, we got our boards and that allowed up to run our transition. Also, we’re able to hit some threes in the first quarter, which was also key.”
Maine South (17-4) kept up the pressure in the second half, forcing nine turnovers and keeping the host Bulldogs off the scoreboard.
“We were kind of weak with the ball. We normally like to thrive in some chaos, but we were a little frantic. We were a little out of sorts at first,” Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. “They certainly caught a hot streak from the 3-point line. I think 12 (Barker) had three or four threes in that first half.”
Batavia (13-6) ramped up its game in the second half. Natalie Warner canned a free throw at the 6:55 mark of the third quarter to break the scoring drought. The senior (seven points) added two 3-pointers in the quarter. Both Batavia and Maine South scored 12 points for a 37-15 Hawks lead to start the fourth quarter.
“Scoreboard-wise it was tough, but I loved how many players we got in and how hard everybody fought. We know South is a very, very good team,“ said Jensen. “But our girls fought like crazy. We handled their physicality a little better in that second half.”
Barker, who led all scorers with 13 points, drained three treys in the first half.
“Keeping up the intensity helped a lot in the second half. I mean it was a loud gym with the band and they had a loud bench,” Barker, a senior said. “But we just keep encouraging each other and played through the contact.”
Hamann sees the win as good start for the second half of the season.
“Batavia is a really good basketball team and to do this on their own floor was special and it prepares us for the state tournament run,” said the Hawks coach. “Batavia is also going to have a lot of success here in the next month too.”
https://www.dailyherald.com/20250114/girls-basketball/girls-basketball-maine-south-holds-batavia-to-3-first-half-points-en-route-to-impressive-win/