HOPE — Tuesday night was a big night for seniors Ali Hoover and Hailey Lange, who were honored before Hauser’s girls basketball game.
The high emotions carried over into the game, when Hoover hit a couple of triples to score 10 of the first 13 Jets points for a 24-17 first quarter lead.
Despite North Decatur making a late fourth quarter push, the Jets hung on to defeat the Chargers 55-50.
“I was just kind of pumped,” said Hoover, who finished with 10 points. “This is my last home game playing on this court, and I wanted to go out and whatever happens, happens and just leave it all out there on the court. My memories here at Hauser have been just amazing. It was a little emotional at the end, but I am so glad I got to finish the season with Hailey by my side.”
The Jets finish a perfect 6-0 in Mid-Hoosier Conference play and have won the title outright. This will be the season that Hoover and Lange will remember for a lifetime.
“It’s honestly unbelievable,” said Lange, who finished with seven points. “I’m grown up playing with Ali since second or third grade, and we’ve played together ever since then. To finish off on this gym is an awesome feeling. There’s really no words to describe it.”
The Jets (13-7, 6-0) had the lead 51-39 in the closing minutes, but turnovers and missed free throws by the Jets kept things interesting to the final buzzer as the Chargers (9-13, 3-3) outscored Hauser 11-4 down the stretch.
Tori Chandler finished with a team high 20 points. Taylor Henderson added nine.
The Jets led 35-25 at the half, and after a Charger free throw, Chandler knocked down a 3-pointer and converted two free throws to extend the lead 40-26. After North Decatur picked up a basket, Lange banked in a 3 to push the lead 43-28.
Hauser coach Brad Hamilton, who is finishing his fourth year at the helm, spoke highly of his two seniors.
“They mean more to me than they will ever know,” Hamilton said. “They have been with me since the beginning. They have never given up on me. They kept working hard, and they were committed to the program. They have great attitudes and are great in the community. Those two seniors have been the core, and tonight it really showed. They both had their best games this season, especially Ali.”
