Harmony Grove grabbed a must-win victory Tuesday over Mayflower, 66-52. Having lost two straight 5-3A Conference matches coming in, the Cardinals used good shooting and defense to get past the Eagles and complete the season sweep of the foe.
“They are as athletic as anyone we play,” said Head Coach Jeff Hogue. “They haven’t shot the ball really well this year and that is nice when they don’t.”
Mayflower shot 46 percent from inside the 3-point line, but only hit 4 of 23 from long range in the loss.
Harmony Grove, on the other hand, knocked down 52 percent from the field and nailed 11 of 29 long balls to come out on top.
Rebounding was where the Eagles excelled above Harmony Grove. In a game that was mostly all Cardinals basketball, the Eagles snatched 37 boards to Harmony Grove’s 26, including 18 on the offensive end.
“There were some long rebounds and they are lanky,” Hogue said. “We didn’t block out like we needed to all the time. There are always long rebounds that are going to go over your head.”
Mayflower was unable to convert on most of its second chances, something Hogue was thankful for.
The Cardinals started off hot, taking a quick 10-point advantage to end the first quarter 21-11.
The second frame, however, was a bit closer as Harmony Grove was only able to outduel the Eagles 13-12. Austin Brown, Christian Brown and Jaysin Gillion combined for five 3-pointers in the opening eight minutes of the contest.
Lady Cardinals fall to Mayflower
The Harmony Grove Lady Cardinals gave it nearly all they had Tuesday in a 50-37 loss to 5-3A Conference foe Mayflower at Daniel Henley Fieldhouse. Having lost to the Lady Eagles in an earlier meeting this year, Harmony Grove came in hot a second time around.
“The first half, we executed really well,” said Head Coach Chris Smith. “Our eyes got wide and glassy in the second half and we couldn’t handle the pressure.”
Senior Morgan Efird and sophomore Leighton Withers anchored the Lady Cardinals’ first-half attack, combining for 16 of the team’s 22 points.
“(Withers) has come a long way. She really has,” Smith said. “She has become smarter as a basketball player, too.”
Efird, however, put Harmony Grove in the lead in the final 49 seconds of the second quarter, hitting a 3-pointer and a short jumper. The Lady Cardinals led 22-19 at the half.
Both teams were tied at the end of the first quarter, 12-12.
But despite moving out in front in the first half, Harmony Grove succumbed to Mayflowers superb pressure. The Lady Eagles held Harmony Grove to three points in the third quarter while forcing 16 on the Lady Cardinals.