Strong start for Hoffman Estates

Lake Park had Samantha Arnold and a solid team looking for chemistry.

Hoffman Estates had a solid team that seemed to have already found it.

Hoffman Estates (2-0) won 48-45 Thursday in second-round play of Fenton's girls basketball Thanksgiving tournament.

After winning 21 games last year, a strong core of returning players for the Hawks showed poise in building a 38-27 lead after three quarters of play.

"This is the third or fourth year on the varsity for three or four of them," said Hawks coach Michael Nocella. "This year they're playing very confident."

Senior Megan Fischer embodied that confidence in the third quarter, when she hit a trio of 3-pointers as part of her team-high 18 points on the night.

"We did an excellent job tonight. We knew Lake Park (1-1) would be a tough game, but we stepped it up and played under control," Fischer said. "I think we'll surprise some teams this year."

After a slow first quarter the Hawks built a 22-14 lead by halftime, forcing Lancers turnovers and hitting their shots. Lake Park finished with 22 turnovers.

The Hawks knew they had to slow the Michigan-bound Arnold, and while Arnold led all players with 24 points and 11 rebounds, she had to work hard for what she got.

The Hawks' Megan Bernardoni put in a good night's work in defending Arnold.

"I thought we did a heck of a job on (Arnold)," Nocella said. "We didn't let her control the game. (Bernardoni) did a heck of a job on her tonight."

"Arnold's an awesome player," Fischer said. "Give credit to Megan Bernardoni. She helped us out tremendously."

Jada Stotts provided a spark off the bench in scoring 10 points for the Hawks, and Bernardoni finished with 14 points. Point guard Carol King also steered the offense well, and the rest of Nocella's squad chipped in a solid night of play. "It was definitely a team effort," he said.