KNIGHTS OUTLAST LANCERS IN A WILD BATTLE
By Ty Bartell
AKRON OH- In the third annual Hoban Hoopfest, The Knights were the main event of an 8 game girls
basketball showcase of some of the tri-state area’s best teams! Their opponent? The Gilmour Academy Lancers out of Gates Mills, Ohio. The Lancers and The Knights have plenty of recent showdowns with Hoban holding the 4-2 edge in their last 6 games with Gilmour Academy. However, The Lancers held the most recent win back on December 7th, 2022 when The Lancers got the 56-38 home victory.
Both teams came out of the gates like they were shot out of a cannon, with the lead being exchanged rapidly and the scoring happening frequently. The Lancers found themselves up by a bucket at 18-15 after the first quarter. The battle ensued in the second quarter, with both teams continuing the hot potato game with the lead. Gilmour would take a lead into halftime off a last-second shot to lead The Lancers over Hoban 28-27 at the half.
The Knights kicked it up a gear in the second half, walling up around the rim and putting forth a great defensive effort and effectively turning defense into offense with the turnovers created. Hoban also garnered more rebounds starting in the third to lean the early lopsided board battle back to even with Gilmour Academy. After three, Hoban held the 41-37 advantage. Defense would continue to set the tone and be the theme in the fourth quarter; however, Hoban stood just a step taller, allowing 7 points in the fourth, The Knights were able to clinch the gritty 51-44 win over The Lancers!
Devin Harris and Niera Stevens earned Co-Players of the Game with their performances. Harris (19 points, 6 rebounds) and Stevens (17 points and 6 rebounds) showed a tremendous amount of toughness, intensity and helped lead Hoban to a win! The Knights also got great performances out of Taylyn Banta who had 10 points and 4 rebounds, as well as MacKenzie Edingburgh who had 9 points and 3 rebounds. The Lancers also had some big time performers, one being the incredible Helen Holley who led Gilmour with the 13 point and 12 rebound double-double. Maddie Minotas (8 points) and Tia Shaw (7 points) also contributed with their scoring for The Lancers.
Hoban (5-0) will have to have a quick turnaround as day two of The Hoban Hoopfest is slated for Sunday, December 10th with The Knights main eventing night two against The Toledo Central Catholic Fighting Irish (2-1)! As for Gilmour Academy (3-1) The Lancers will look ahead to Wednesday, December 20th where their next contest will be against The Lyndhurst Brush Arcs (4-0). Keep updated with all Archbishop Hoban winter sports this season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!
