The HSMSE girls’ basketball team lost their first round playoff game 56-35, in an intense battle against the Clinton School at the Nat Holman Gymnasium on February 10, 2020.
Despite the lopsided final score, HSMSE cut the difference to only four points halfway through the third quarter. However, the Dragons’ comeback was cut short by injuries and foul trouble that stymied their star players.
“One of our main players got into foul trouble, and our point guard had a jammed finger,” coach David Scheiman said.
This forced Scheiman to put inexperienced players on the court who were no match for Clinton’s aggressive style of play. Clinton’s full-court press caused HSMSE to turn the ball over repeatedly, which exhausted the Dragons. Frustration from turning the ball over fueled unnecessary fouls.
“Unni [Isaksen] picked up her fourth foul and had to sit out the rest of the [third] quarter,” he said.
With their leading scorer on the bench, HSMSE could not match The Clinton School’s fast-paced offense. HSMSE rallied late in the fourth quarter, but ultimately could not close the gap caused by their earlier foul troubles.
“In the fourth quarter we put up a good fight,” said sophomore Taylor Jeffrey.
Rose Wladis led the Hawks with 23 points. Unni Isaksen had 10 for the Dragons in their losing effort.
