Sports
Wahama Keeps Federal Hocking Winless
By: Nate Moore
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In tonight’s thrilling and intense match-up between the Wahama White Falcons and Federal Hocking Lancers, Wahama would fend off a roaring 16-point comeback by Federal Hocing and pull away in the end by a score of 63-56. Wahama’s win also kept Federal Hocking from making an impact in the win column as the White Flacons handed the Lancers their 19th straight loss this season.
In the first quarter both teams were battling out on both sides of the ball. For Federal Hocking, it was guard Deakin Hatfield as he hit jump shots and buried a three pointer to boost the Lancer’s offense. When it came to the White Flacons, the whole offense seemed to click together as they distributed the ball efficiently which lead to their narrow lead of 13-11 at the end of the first quarter.
However, in the second quarter, the game took a complete turn as Wahama starters Philip Hoffman and Travis Kearns caught fire and took over the game. Both players could not miss from anywhere they shot as Hoffman made five straight shots inside the arc while Kearns followed with the encore by hitting three straight bombs from downtown. This offensive explosion from both Kearns and Hoffman would help Wahama win the second quarter by a margin of 23-11 and give them a very comfortable lead of 36-22 heading into half.
Even though the teams would be given time to rest and cool down during halftime, Wahama would still came out focused and red hot as they pushed their lead all the way up to 18 at one point but would head into the final quarter with control of the game and the scoreboard as they lead 44-28.
Although heading into the final quarter in what seemed to be a game with no hope, the Lancers play in the fourth displayed the true meaning of the phrase, “it aint over til it’s over” as Federal Hocking began their intense and odds-defying 16 point comeback. Whether it was Jared Hawk hitting three beyond-the-perimeter jumpshots or the team’s stout and shutdown defense, everything seemed to just click for the Lancers as they cut the White Falcons’ lead all the way down to three points with only 49 seconds left in the game.
However, the one player for Wahama who ended up being the difference maker due to his hot shooting in the second quarter and his poise in the fourth to maintain Wahama’s lead until the final buzzer was big man Philip Hoffman. As the game would wind down and Federal Hocking’s only strategy was to foul and send Wahama to the foul line, Hoffman would maintain his composure and focus as he went for a perfect 10 for 10 from the free throw line. The stat line at the end of the game would show the profound impact Hoffman made as he ended the night with 23 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
As the season progresses, look for the White Falcons of Wahama to keep their confidence as they face a very strong and hot Waterford team at home. Also, make sure to keep an eye out for Federal Hocking to play off of their strong fourth quarter tonight into their match-up at Southern against the Tornadoes.