Lady Hawks rally past Northview. 30-28
Clinton Middle School’s Brooklyn Doherty drives to the basket for a layup against a Northview defender Thursday, Nov. 5. (photo:Tony Cox )
Lady Hawk Brooklyn Doherty delivered the knockout blow, burying the game-winning 3-pointer with just 3.6 seconds remaining on the clock.
“It was more than just a season-opening win. It was a glimpse of what this team can become when hard work, discipline, accountability and belief come together,” CMS Coach Jessica Harrell said. “Every player contributed to the fight, and when adversity arrived, the Lady Hawks answered with resilience. A new coaching staff, a new look and a new season may have brought changes, but one thing remains unchanged: the Lady Hawks pride.
“We’re ushering in a new era filled with fresh energy, renewed expectations and a commitment to the Lady Hawks standard.”
That also includes a new locker room and new jerseys.
Leading the charge “is a fierce group of veteran eighth-graders: Brooklyn, Henley Harrell, Hadley Webb, Kayla Branham (14 points in the win), Tatum Tipton and Lily Schaefer,” the coach added. “Joining them is a talented group of seventh-graders: Amara Ison, Valerie Romero, Ingrid Friels and Tatum Jackson.
“Together, this group makes a combination of experience, determination and youthful energy that promises an exciting season ahead.”
From the opening tip Thursday, the Lady Hawks “hit the ground running with defensive prowess and electric energy,” Harrell said. “Their intensity set the tone early, but Northview found its footing and rallied in the second quarter and took the lead at halftime.”
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Hawks successfully erased a 22-15 deficit.
“Pressure defense helped shift the momentum and deflate the Northview offense. Meanwhile, Hadley Webb and Lily Schaefer went to work on the boards, battling for rebounds and keeping the Lady Hawks within striking distance,” Harrell said.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, “Kayla Branham found her rhythm in a big way, knocking down three consecutive 3-pointers and breathing new life into the Lady Hawks offense,” the coach added. “Tatum Tipton came off the bench and added two big points, putting the Lady Hawks within reach. The momentum was building, the energy was electric and the game was coming down to the wire.”
Hawks grind out
season-opening win
Clinton Middle School’s varsity boys basketball team opened the season with a hard-fought 41-34 home victory over Northview on Thursday, Nov. 5, giving new Coach Nick Richmond his first win at the helm.
“A hardworking, grind-it-out win. It’s a great first win to start, you know, a new coaching era,” Richmond said. “And yeah, just really proud of the way they worked.”
“We were up about 10 for a good portion of the game,” added Richmond, who was promoted to head coach after serving one season as an assistant. “They cut it to 3 with about, say, a little over a minute left. And we kind of held on to the ball for a little bit.
“And they ended up fouling us. We hit a couple free throws at the end, and defense stepped up pretty well, and they just didn’t hit a shot at the end.”