Setbacks for Harper men, women

In the first 20 minutes of Tuesday's nonconference men's basketball game, it appeared as if Harper College had started to figure out how to play under first-year coach Sean Stochl's scheme.

"Our kids are figuring out the system," said Stochl.

And it showed on the scoreboard, as the Hawks had grabbed a 22-point lead in the first half. That advantage didn't last, however, as Harper dropped an 83-81 decision to McHenry Community College in Palatine.

Freshman Chimaobim Oduocha (Conant) scored a career-best 16 points.

"Chima is a big body," Stochl said of the 6-foot-8 center. "When (Oduocha) is open, you have to give him the ball.

"Our players are understanding the offense more."

Oduocha also credited a pre-warmup post-move session with the coaching staff for helping increase his confidence - something he'd struggled with in the season's first week.

While the Hawks (0-5) had some trouble with McHenry's zone defense, it was the Scots' pressure that really changed the game. The Hawks struggled against it, allowing a pair of 10-point runs as the 22-point lead changed to a 37-31 deficit by the half.

• The Harper College women's basketball team dropped its home opener on Thursday, falling 83-33 to McHenry Community College.

The Hawks (0-2) found themselves trailing 13-2 early before Angelina Villasin scored 2 of her 4 points, sparking Harper on a 10-0 run.

But McHenry (2-0) quickly regained command, outscoring Harper 34-3 to grab a 51-11 halftime lead.

Larkin alum Quixmia Washington led the Scots with 15 points.

Continual extended defensive pressure forced 22 Harper turnovers.

"We have young guards," coach Jenny Turpel said of her seven-player roster, which has only one returner, Tamara Zivak (3 points).

Turpel praised the effort of Sara Mamoud (Fremd), who finished with a team-high 11 points on 6-for-9 shooting.

"She is our best ball-handler," Turpel said.