GATES MILLS — Hawken built a big lead with smart decisions and steady defense, then learned a little about finishing games along the way in a 55-45 nonconference win over visiting Willoughby South on Monday.
The Hawks led 13-5 after one quarter, 29-12 at halftime, and 47-26 entering the fourth, using a fast start and a disciplined zone to control the flow for most of the night.
“I saw them making great decisions,” Hawken coach Cy Lippold said. “We’ve really been working on our press break, so it’s been really good to see our turnovers go down from game to game. Obviously, at the end, they pressured us a little bit, and that’s just a new experience for this team. We’re not used to really being up at the end of games, and something we want to be talking about more, but I’m very proud of their overall effort and playing together and sharing the ball.”
Julia Scales was the centerpiece, dominating inside with rebounds and putbacks before stepping out to hit two 3-pointers on her way to 20 points. Sophia Cicerini added 14 points with a pair of 3s, Sasha Miller scored 12 with two more from deep, Tess Peterson chipped in five, and Jada Tomsich and Rilynn Knighton each scored two as Hawken consistently shared the ball and punished open looks.
“She’s stepping into her abilities and full role here,” Lippold said of Scales. “She’s such a versatile player. We play her everywhere, offensively and defensively, and it’s been really good for her to see the success of the work that she’s been putting in all offseason and all preseason.”
Hawken’s zone defense set the tone early, holding South to five points in the first quarter and seven more in the second.
“I think that zone has been something we’ve been working on a lot,” Lippold said. “It protects the rim and contests threes at the same time.”
South found its footing late, outscoring Hawken 19-8 in the fourth quarter. Charlotte Tierney scored all eight of her points in the final period, knocking down two 3-pointers. Sydney Isabella and Linila Fatica led the Rebels with nine points apiece, Riley Kaminsky hit two 3-pointers among her six points, Morgan Hayek and Neve Duffy scored four each, Tia Jackson added three, and Ava Proctor finished with two.
“They love basketball, and they’re here to play the game,” South interim coach Joe Pintar said. “This group of girls won’t give up at any time.”
Scales said the win was a reflection of Hawken’s best basketball of the season.
“It was lots of fun. The energy was high,” she said. “It wasn’t like one person was doing everything; we all came together, and everyone contributed.”
Hawken improved to 3-9 and hosts Gilmour Academy on Saturday. South dropped to 4-5 and returns home to face Kenston on Wednesday.
