Weekly Athletic Update for February 23-March 1, 2003
Basketball
Vs. Erskine (2/24/03)
With the best defensive effort this season, the Converse All-Stars held their opponent the Erskine Fleet to 60 points. The effort was not enough as the All-Stars lost by four, 56-60 at the end of regulation, but returned to Spartanburg with heads high as defense finally was were it should be.
Converse ended the first half down 26-33 after hitting only 9-of-26 shots from the floor. Keeping the intensity in the second half, the All-Stars made numerous defensive stops but missed key shots that would give them the lead. With time running out, free throws determined the game. The Fleet shot 8-of-11 in the second half, while the All-Stars only made it to line twice, and hitting only one of those.
The All-Stars was led by freshman Sophie Hofferberth with 19, and junior Katie Leonard with 10. Melissa Woods led the Fleet with 24. The All-Stars host a tournament this weekend as they face Nova Southeastern in the first game Friday at 8:00 PM.
Sophie Hofferberth Receives “Player Of The Week” Honors (2/26/03)
Sophie Hofferberth, a freshman guard from Bedfordale, Australia, is this week’s Spartanburg Tip-Off Club player of the week.
Hofferberth is being honored for her play in last week’s games against Shaw and North Greenville. She scored 27 points against North Greenville and had a well-rounded game against Shaw with 24 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. She shot outstanding from behind the arc hitting 10-of-15 3-pointers.
She is the second All-Star to receive the award this season. Teammate Melissa Ballard previously received the award twice this season.
Hofferberth will be honored at the Tip-Off Club Friday at noon at the Pine Street YMCA where John Kresse, former coach of College of Charleston will be the guest speaker.
Vs. Nova Southeastern (2/28/03)
The Converse All-Stars hosted the All-Star Tournament over the weekend as they invited Nova Southeastern, North Greenville, and MSU-Billings. In the first round, the All-Stars took on Nova Southeastern (Nova), as they fell short of revenge from a previous game this season. Nova pulled out an 81-71 victory to end their season 12-15 and the All-Stars fell to 2-23 for the season.
The first half was close as the lead changed several times, and the biggest lead was at the half as Nova lead by four, 33-29. In the second half, Nova took the lead as the All-Stars fought and stayed within range. Coming within six, turnovers hindered the All-Stars chance of an upset, as they committed 25 for the night. Knowing rebounding was a difference in the previous game, the All-Stars out rebounded Nova 43-39. Playing as a team, the All-Stars had a season high of 16 assists, and 16 offensive rebounds.
The All-Stars had three players in double figures as Melissa Ballard led the way with 22 points, as Sophie Hofferberth added 12, and Lindsey Parker had another double double with 16 points and 16 rebounds.
Vs. North Greenville (3/1/03)
The All-Stars defeated the North Greenville Crusaders in the second day of the All-Star Tournament, 85-68. Converse converted on 45.9% (34-74) of their field goal attempts in the win. The All-Stars have finally stepped up the defensive intensity as coach Beth Coil has been demanding all year.
Sophie Hofferberth (Bedfordale, Australia) led the All-Stars with 10 at the half. Converse led by as many as 15 before the Crusaders cut the lead as they went into intermission with the All-Stars ahead by nine. Committing only six turnovers at the half as the Crusaders had 13 was the difference in the score. North Greenville out rebounded Converse 25-19 in the half.
Coming out and scoring a quick lay-up in the opening seconds of the second half; the All-Stars never looked back. The All-Stars ended with only13 turnovers and another incredible game of teamwork