“You picked a fine time to get hot, Lexi.” — With apologies to Kenny Rogers
Sophomore Lexi Teunissen tossed in 10 points during a brief run for Hopkins in the second quarter to spark a turnaround and a 42-28 O-K Silver victory over Belding.
The sluggish Lady Vikings made only three baskets in all of the first period and fell behind 7-6, going scoreless for almost five straight minutes. But the worm turned in the second quarter when Hopkins switched to a zone defense and double-teamed the basketball out front. While Teunissen nailed a couple of threes and a couple short jumpers in her 10-point spree, Belding managed just a couple of threes by guard Alexandria McNinch for the entire second period.
The Lady Vikings, as a result, took an 18-13 lead at intermission.
Then senior Samantha Sebright came out in the early third quarter and swished a three-pointer and a deuce to widen the gap to nine points, 23-14. Freshman Mady Weber dropped in a couple of free throws, the first two attempted by any Viking during the contest and Teunissen nailed yet another three to turn the game into a quasi-rout, 30-16.
Weber came back early in the fourth quarter to register Hopkins’ only other free throw of the night on a three-point play to make it 35-19.
One highlight down the stretch of a ballgame pretty much decided was a couple of nifty passes from Paris Corneille to Kara Noble on the fast break for easy baskets.
Teunissen finished with 13 points, giving her teammates a big lift after a disappointing loss Friday evening to O-K Silver rival NorthPointe Christian. Weber had nine points, continuing her comeback after an injury, and Sebright added 10 points to the attack.
McNinch had nine points to lead Belding and Ashtyn Cegelis had eight for the Black Knights, who now are 4-7 overall.
Hopkins now is 7-5 overall and 4-2 for the first of two rounds of play in the conference. Kelloggsville and Calvin Christian are tied for first at 5-1.
COVER PHOTO: Evangelina Helderop (11) drives to the hoop for a layup.
