Norah Berkenstock
HOPE — The Hauser girls basketball made a statement in the Mid-Hoosier Conference Thursday night.
The Jets built a double-digit lead against visiting South Decatur and never looked back to claim a key 55-41 conference victory.
“We did a great job talking (to each other) and moving around the ball,” Hauser sophomore Norah Berkenstock said. “Whenever we get the ball swinging and actually run through our plays all the way, it helps get more open shots.”
In the first quarter, Berkenstock drained a 3 that started a 7-0 Hauser run to lead 9-4. The Cougars (4-7, 2-1) came back to tie the game at 9-9 heading into the second quarter.
Berkenstock hit another 3 to start a 12-1 run to increase the Jets lead to double digits 21-10. South Decatur cut it to 21-14 with over a minute left in the half, but then a Kyliegh Parrott 3-pointer with about five seconds left in the half gave Hauser (5-4, 2-0) a 24-14 lead at the break.
The Cougars couldn’t close the gap to single digits in the second half. Parrott added her second 3 of the game to make it 31-18. The Jets closed out the third quarter on an 8-0 run to extend the lead to 44-27 heading into the fourth.
“Ultimately, we want to be a type of team that the defense has to guard us all,” Hauser coach Kyle Shipp said. “The defense can’t focus on one person and hurt them if they try to. I’m really proud of everybody and how they played and their contributions tonight.”
The Jets got plenty of balanced scoring with Berkenstock and Madelyn Poe leading the way with 13 apiece. Bella Kilps added 12 off the bench.
“I think most of the games we’ve won so far have all been games we’ve been working well as a team,” Berkenstock said. “It helps when we are all passing the ball and working as a team.”
For South Decatur, Makayla Somers had 14 points and Kiley Best added 10.
Hauser 55, South Decatur 41
South Decatur;9;5;13;14;—;41
Hauser;9;15;20;11;—;55
South Decatur (3-7, 2-1): Mary Gasper 1 1-2 3, Kiley Best 4 2-6 10, Paige McQueen 2 0-1 4, Molly Eden 3 1-4 7, Makayla Somers 7 0-2 14, Brayley Sundal 1 0-2 3, Hope Barker 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 4-7 41.
Hauser (4-4, 1-0): Kyliegh Parrott 3 0-2 8, Norah Berkenstock 4 3-4 13, Bella Kilps 5 2-3 12, Erykah Everroad 1 0-0 3, Adrianna Musillami 2 0-0 4, Kenze Bostic 0 0-0 0, Jaden Sims 1 0-0 2, Madelyn Poe 6 1-2 13. Totals: 22 6-11 55.
3-point goals: South Decatur 1 (Sundal); Hauser 5 (Berkenstock 2, Parrott 2, Everroad).
