Harper women win third straight

The confidence level for Harper College women's basketball team has not always been a strong point the past few seasons.

But that might change this winter.

"We will always play 100 percent," said first-year guard Kim Herzog after the Hawks ran their record to 3-1 with a 66-61 win over visiting McHenry Community College (1-2) on Tuesday night. It was Harper's third straight win.

"We come ready to play all the time," Nastia Solsaa added.

Second-year Harper coach Jenny Turpel feels her squad has more to give.

"They are capable of a lot more than they think," she said.

The Hawks featured four players in double figures, including Joslyn Nicholson with a team-best 20 points.

"When you feel like you're the big on the court, it's a good feeling," Nicholson said.

"When she calls for the ball, you have to give it to her," Solsaa said.

One of the improvements from last season has been the guard play of Herzog and Solsaa.

"I saw the seams (in the defense)" said Herzog, who played at Buffalo Grove. "And we fed off each other."

"We got good looks," added Solsaa, who was also quick to praise Nicholson's work in the post. "Jos did a nice job of opening up."

McHenry took a 24-23 lead after the first 20 minutes while the Hawks struggled from the field, shooting just over 20 percent.

"We had a slow start," Nicholson said. "It was hard for us to get into a rhythm."

McHenry struggled on the offensive end as well, committing 14 first-half turnovers (24 for the game).

First-year Scots coach Karen Wiley pointed to the youth on her team as a reason for the turnovers.

"There are times I have five freshman (on the court)," she said.

Turpel was pleased with her team's defense, and the offense eventually came together as the Hawks shot 75 percent from the field in the second half.

Harper's Ashonte Sims had 15 points, Solsaa had 13 and Herzog finished with 10.