Harper looks for better focus

The Harper women's basketball team is hoping to show better focus after a one-sided loss to visiting Mid-Michigan Community College on Saturday.

The Hawks fell 66-50 and hope to see improvement soon, especially with North Central Community College Conference games starting in the coming week. The Hawks' first foe will be No. 4-ranked Rock Valley (8-4) on Wednesday.

Against Mid-Michigan (9-4), Harper (6-9) didn't score for the first 6:32.

"We didn't come prepared," said Josyln Nicholson (Cary-Grove), Harper's leading scorer this season. "We didn't have any rhythm."

Nicholson finished with a game-high 23 points and 15 rebounds but struggled some from the field, shooting 11-for-27. She called her afternoon "frustrating."

The Lakers used a balanced attack, as four players helped stake the visitors to a 10-0 lead on the way to a 34-23 halftime edge.

The Hawks committed 25 turnovers.

"We are not going to win games if we play like that," said Harper coach Jenny Turpel.

Mid-Michigan's Kari Jacob (11 points), Courtney English (12) and Jo Hamlin (10) each scored in double figures.

If there was a silver lining to the afternoon, it was an improved roster situation for Harper thanks to the addition of Sarah Nelson (5 points). Nelson has been practicing with the team the entire season and gives the Hawks six players available for games.

While Shannon Koch (Prospect) was unable to play Saturday due to a back injury; Kim Herzog (Buffalo Grove) and Lane Winkler (Rolling Meadows) both scored 7 points and Ashonte Sims had 8.