GIRLS BASKETBALL One- two punch leads Skyhawks
Photos and Story
By Mike Maddock
Mike@TheColumbiaStar.com

Hammond's Ali Hymson battles Heathwood Hall's Sarah Davis for position. Hymson drained four three- pointers finishing with 21 total points for the Skyhawks. Davis added five points for the Highlanders.

The Hammond Lady Skyhawks (8- 12, 2- 2) invaded Heathwood Hall Tuesday, Jan. 23 and used the one- two punch of Ali Hymson and Lauren Smith to knock out the Highlanders (7- 12, 2- 2) 54- 37.

Smith's consistency in the paint and Hymson's accuracy behind the arch proved too much for the Highlanders despite the efforts of Heathwood Hall's own one- two punch of Kristen Dickerson and Arayael Brandner. Dickerson drove past the Skyhawk defense for 19 points and Brandner added eight with a powerful inside game, but it was the Skyhawk duo that stole the show.

Hymson drained four three- pointers, scored two fast break baskets, and nailed several jump shots to rack- up a game- high 21 points. The junior Hammond point- guard appeared almost unstoppable at times.

Smith quietly contributed 16 points to the Skyhawk cause scoring four points in both the first and second periods, then five in the third and three in the fourth. The junior played at both the forward and point guard positions.

Heathwood Hall's Kristin Dickerson tries to dribble past Hammond's Rossi Theodore. Dickerson was a bright spot for the Highlanders scoring 19 points.

The Highlanders were outmanned from the opening tip starting one junior, three sophomores, and a freshman against a veteran, deep Skyhawk squad. They played with a seven- woman roster while the Skyhawks dressed 12.

The Highlanders travel to Cardinal Newman Friday, Jan. 26, while the Skyhawks travel to Northwood Jan. 25 then host St. Joseph's Jan. 26.