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Sophia Hatcher was bound and determined to score on the last possession against Ottumwa in her final game on the Harrison Barnes Court and Gymnasium on Friday, Feb. 13.
Ames ended up falling, 45-35, to a strong Ottumwa team that finished the regular season 19-2. But Hatcher made a promise to her mom, Chrystel Hatcher, so in the final seconds, she was going to deliver.
Hatcher was fouled driving to the hoop on the final possession. She ran into the basket as a result of the foul with 4.9 seconds left, but she was unharmed.
Hatcher went on to drill both free throws to match her number by finishing the game with 10 points.
“My mom, right before the game, was like ‘Hey, Sophia...I want 10 tonight,’” Hatcher said. “I was like, OK...and then it happened.”
More: How Kuach Kuach became the defensive stopper for the Ames boys
Ames coach Cole Cook has loved seeing Hatcher expand her role on offense this season.
As a freshman, Hatcher made it onto the varsity roster because of her speed and athleticism as an all-state track and field performer. But she was very raw in terms of her basketball ability.
Hatcher averaged 1.3 points as a freshman. That average took a slight bump to 1.7 points her sophomore year, then went to 2.8 points last season.
This season, she was averaging 3.2 points going into the Ottumwa game.
“This year she has turned into ‘Hey, maybe I can give you four or six points a game,’" Cook said. "That has been good.”
More: Victoria Williams and Natalya Deardorff key Ames girls' final push
Hatcher's main contributions have always come on the defensive end of the court. Thanks to her speed, athleticism and hustle, Hatcher has averaged over 1.0 steal per game for her career and has been an excellent one-on-one defender.
Her motor is what really stands out on the defensive end. She has raced down the court to thwart an opposing layup on many occasions throughout her career.
“Sophia is amazing,” said Ames senior Natalya Deardorff. “On defense, she is the quickest person out there. On a fastbreak layup, I know she’s always going to be there to stop the ball. Her defense brings a lot to this team.”
But her teammates knew she was capable of having a night on offense as she did against Ottumwa.
“We’ve been waiting for her to do it all year,” Deardorff said. “She finally did it.”
More: Simple approach made Roland-Story's Eli Van Hove a top player in HOIC
Hatcher wants to keep it going on the offensive end. The Little Cyclones will need her added scoring if they hope to upset No. 10 Iowa City High in the Class 5A regional semifinals on Feb. 21 in Iowa City.
Iowa City High defeated Ames, 56-47, on Dec. 2. If Hatcher can continue to produce on offense, the Little Cyclones might have a chance against the Little Hawks this time around.
Her formula for success against Iowa City High is a basic one.
“Watching film, knowing what I’m supposed to do and continue to work hard at practice,” Hatcher said. “No matter what we’re doing, always bringing effort. Just making sure everyone is pushing each other. If we’re not pushing each other, we’re not going to get anywhere.”
Hatcher is excited for track and field to start. She will be going to college for the sport, though she is going to wait a little bit to announce her destination.
But right now, her mind is on basketball. After Ames made the regional finals last year, she would love to help the Little Cyclones take the next step and make a surprise run to the state tournament.
“It’d feel really nice,” Hatcher said. “It’s always been a dream to get to the Casey’s Center. Track can wait.”
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Sophia Hatcher thriving on offense at perfect time for Ames girls
Continue reading...
Ames ended up falling, 45-35, to a strong Ottumwa team that finished the regular season 19-2. But Hatcher made a promise to her mom, Chrystel Hatcher, so in the final seconds, she was going to deliver.
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Hatcher was fouled driving to the hoop on the final possession. She ran into the basket as a result of the foul with 4.9 seconds left, but she was unharmed.
Hatcher went on to drill both free throws to match her number by finishing the game with 10 points.
“My mom, right before the game, was like ‘Hey, Sophia...I want 10 tonight,’” Hatcher said. “I was like, OK...and then it happened.”
More: How Kuach Kuach became the defensive stopper for the Ames boys
Ames coach Cole Cook has loved seeing Hatcher expand her role on offense this season.
As a freshman, Hatcher made it onto the varsity roster because of her speed and athleticism as an all-state track and field performer. But she was very raw in terms of her basketball ability.
Hatcher averaged 1.3 points as a freshman. That average took a slight bump to 1.7 points her sophomore year, then went to 2.8 points last season.
This season, she was averaging 3.2 points going into the Ottumwa game.
“This year she has turned into ‘Hey, maybe I can give you four or six points a game,’" Cook said. "That has been good.”
More: Victoria Williams and Natalya Deardorff key Ames girls' final push
Hatcher's main contributions have always come on the defensive end of the court. Thanks to her speed, athleticism and hustle, Hatcher has averaged over 1.0 steal per game for her career and has been an excellent one-on-one defender.
Her motor is what really stands out on the defensive end. She has raced down the court to thwart an opposing layup on many occasions throughout her career.
“Sophia is amazing,” said Ames senior Natalya Deardorff. “On defense, she is the quickest person out there. On a fastbreak layup, I know she’s always going to be there to stop the ball. Her defense brings a lot to this team.”
But her teammates knew she was capable of having a night on offense as she did against Ottumwa.
“We’ve been waiting for her to do it all year,” Deardorff said. “She finally did it.”
More: Simple approach made Roland-Story's Eli Van Hove a top player in HOIC
Hatcher wants to keep it going on the offensive end. The Little Cyclones will need her added scoring if they hope to upset No. 10 Iowa City High in the Class 5A regional semifinals on Feb. 21 in Iowa City.
Iowa City High defeated Ames, 56-47, on Dec. 2. If Hatcher can continue to produce on offense, the Little Cyclones might have a chance against the Little Hawks this time around.
Her formula for success against Iowa City High is a basic one.
“Watching film, knowing what I’m supposed to do and continue to work hard at practice,” Hatcher said. “No matter what we’re doing, always bringing effort. Just making sure everyone is pushing each other. If we’re not pushing each other, we’re not going to get anywhere.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Hatcher is excited for track and field to start. She will be going to college for the sport, though she is going to wait a little bit to announce her destination.
But right now, her mind is on basketball. After Ames made the regional finals last year, she would love to help the Little Cyclones take the next step and make a surprise run to the state tournament.
“It’d feel really nice,” Hatcher said. “It’s always been a dream to get to the Casey’s Center. Track can wait.”
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Sophia Hatcher thriving on offense at perfect time for Ames girls
Continue reading...
