Bulldogs beat Elkhart

February 2, 2012

The Hooker basketball teams traveled to Elkhart, Kansas on Tuesday night for one of their final three games of the season. For both teams the evening would be a successful one. The Lady Bulldogs won 61-44 and the boys followed that up with a 69-37 win of their own.
For the Lady Bulldogs who are now 16-5 on the season the game was a good one with the season coming to end.
“I thought we played really well,” said Hooker coach Ray Kennedy. “We started out a little sluggish defensively in the first quarter.
Despite their slow start defensively, their shots were still falling and they were able to get the lead early.
Scoring 16,17, 13 and 14 points in each quarter the Bulldogs left Elkhart in the dust. Shania Miller hit a couple big three pointers in the second half to keep things rolling.
“I am really pleased about the game. We played well and the main thing is getting everyone healthy in time for playoffs,” said Kennedy.
Leading Hooker in scoring were the Cathcarts who had 18 and 13 points, Jayme Walton 13, and Shania Miller who had nine points.
On the boys side of things it started out a little closer of a game thanks to some foul trouble in the first half.
The foul trouble gave some of the bench players a chance to get some minutes.
“Some of our key players had a couple fouls early in the first half,” said coach Bud Valerius. “Instead of risking it we had some other players get more minutes, they really played well for us.”
An eight point game at half, it was shaping up to be an exciting game. And then Hooker’s defense kicked it into high gear. The Bulldogs fought Elkhart off and held them to just twelve points in the second half.
“There were a couple shots that we hit in the second half, they were big. It sparked a run and our defense was playing great,” said Valerius.
Hooker scored 38 points in the second half and put the game out of reach for the Wildcats.
Scoring for the Bulldog men in their big win was Alex Sanchez who had 16, Gabe Morales 13, Payson Slater 13, Guererro Garcia 10, Joe Bean 8, Hayden Ukens 3, Marcos Mendoza 2, Taylor McBee 2.
Hooker will once again take on a Kansas opponent Feb. 3 when Moscow comes to town. Games will start at 6:30/8 p.m.