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The first half gave the packed house and faithful from both sides lots to be excited about.  The first 16 minutes of the game was what we expected out of the two GAC powers, a back and forth heavyweight match with each team getting in their blows.  The Hornets led 12-11 after 1.  The 2nd quarter was as good as it gets, one of the most exciting quarters I have seen this year, regardless of gender.  With 4:22 to go in the half, Sophomore, Amber Sammons, drilled a three ball to put NL up 20-15.  Over the next 2 minutes, Hamady then struck, with an 10-0 run, to put the Hawks up by 5.  6 of the 10 came from Senior Brandi Baker.  New Lothrop then answered with 6 straight, taking a 26-25 lead, capped by a Monica Confer basket, yet another Hornet Sophomore.  As exciting as the quarter was, it was the final 7 seconds that almost blew the roof off.  Kimberly McKenney buried a shot from downtown to give the Hawks a 28-26 lead with just 7 ticks left, a huge momentum lift, heading into the lockers.  The Hornets had other ideas though.  With the seconds ticking down, Senior Kayla Knieper dribbled the ball up the court and launched a prayer from halfcourt as the buzzer sounded.  It was answered as the ball swished through the hoop, changing momentum yet again, giving New Lothrop the 29-28 halftime advantage. 

The first 6 minutes of the third played out like most of the 1st half.  New Lothrop pushed the lead to as much as 5 points again, halfway through the quarter, capped by 4 points from Ashley Root, the game's leading scorer and a great offensive rebound and putback from Kayla Krupp.  Hamady kept stride however, with 5 points from Kimberly McKenney, including a three pointer.  With 2;30 remaining, Freshman Arlesia Morse put home a shot and was fouled in the process, cutting it to 41-39.  That was a close as the Hawks would ever come again.  The Hornets reeled off 7 straight points to end the third and headed to the fourth up 9 points at 48-39.  The quarter ending run was a capsule of how New Lothrop had played so well in the game and throughout their tremendous season.  Root hit a three to start the run, then the unselfish play took over.  From under the basket, Kayla Gross waited patiently out of bounds until her teammate Confer, came open under the glass.  Confer took the assist and put home the bucket.  The next time down the floor, Gross was on the scoring end as she received a beautiful pass in traffic from Knieper pushing the lead to 9. 

The fourth quarter was all New Lothrop as they outscored the Hawks 21-10.  The Hornets final 11 points came from the free throw line as Gross and Root sank 4 a piece.  Root had 9 points in the final period, including another make from behind the arch.  When the final horn sounded, New Lothrop had completed the season sweep over their GAC Blue rivals from Flint and in the process validated what they had done the first time around, proving claims of a fluke false.  As much as New Lothrop dominated with ball distribution and clutch shooting, they also stood in there and took the physical aspect from Hamady and kept on coming.  This aspect was none more evident than under the glass, where the undersized Hornets not only held their ground but got second chance buckets as well. 

The Hornets win, moves them 1 win away from clinching a share and 2 more from clinching the outright crown.  The 53-52 win back on November 30th snapped a 56 game conference winning streak for Hamady but without tonight's win, that would have not meant nearly as much to the Hornet's team themselves, as they proved tonight, they are the team to beat in the Genesee Area Conference(s).  The Hornets have not lost since their season opener, to Clare 35-29, now what seems to be a long time ago, 16 games later.  With a conference title in sight, a state championship goal should be on the horizon as well.  The Hornets are a Class D team which puts them with some good competition but steers them clear of another meeting with Hamady or the area's other state power, Nouvel Catholic Central, both Clas C teams.  Look for both of these teams continue their rivalry for seasons to come as the rosters are loaded with underclassmen.  NL's suits up just two Seniors.  Hamady will graduate Brandie Baker and Troya Berry but beyond that the cupboard looks pretty stocked.

New Lothrop Leading Scorers
Ashley Root - 23 Points
Kayla Gross - 14 Points
Kayla Knieper - 12 Points
Amber Sammons - 10 Points

Hamady Leading Scorers
Brandie Baker - 15 Points
Kimberly McKenney - 12 Points