The Hopkinton girls’ varsity basketball team entered Monday night’s home opener at 2-0, following road wins against Fall Mountain and Raymond. The Hawks hosted Conant, which won its first two games of the season against Monadnock and Stevens, and 56 of its last 57.
Conant (3-0) took a 23-7 lead at the half and held off a late rally for a 34-23 win. Hopkinton’s defense continued to improve throughout the game.
Hopkinton’s Maddie Carmichael and her teammates held Conant’s Emma Tenters, the reigning Division III Player of the Year, to just 14 points. Defensive efforts were essential to shutting down not just Tenters but also her teammates.
Conant starters Hannah Manley, Bella Hart and Byrnn Rautiola were all kept out of double figures in points. Hopkinton’s Elise Miner, Lizz Holmes, Shaylee Murdough and Hannah Pecce all helped to prevent Conant’s offense from reaching its typical output.
After trailing by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, the Hawks (2-1) were able to cut the Orioles’ lead to as few as seven with over three minutes remaining in the game. However, the Orioles joined the Hawks in the bonus, and their defense shut the door on a late Hopkinton rally.
The Hawks will move on to face Kearsarge on the road Thursday. They will be joined by Hopkinton’s varsity boys’ team for a varsity doubleheader.