(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) SHOCK WAVE: Hun School girls’ basketball player Lauren Shockley dribbles upcourt in a game earlier this winter. Last Wednesday, senior star Shockley scored 12 points to help Hun edge the Shipley School 57-54. The Raiders, now 7-11, are slated to host WW/P-S on February 10 before starting post-season play by competing in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tournament this weekend at Blair.

Displaying Improved Chemistry and Intensity, Hun Girls’ Hoops Optimistic About Post-Season

Bill Alden

Things looked pretty bleak for the Hun School girls’ basketball team as it headed into its exam break in mid-January.

After falling 44-37 to the Hill School on January 16, the Raiders stood at 4-8, having lost four of their last five games.

In its first action after the break, Hun hit the road for an overnight trip to Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) and came back with a more positive outlook.

“The girls had a great time,” recalled Hun head coach Bill Holup, whose team cruised to a 67-18 win over Mercersburg.

“We went out to dinner and they roomed together. I think the trip really helped them get closer. It made a difference. They are enjoying each other more now and competing hard. We have bonded and it is fun to see a team come together.”

Last Wednesday, the Raiders showed the effect of their chemistry and intensity as they pulled out a 57-54 win over the Shipley School.

“That was a really good win,” asserted Holup, who got 26 points from post-graduate guard JacQuel Saunders in the victory with senior Lauren Shockley chipping in 12 points as the Raiders improved to 7-11.

“It was also an important win because they were a good team; they came in with a 10-4 record. In the previous two games, we had a lead and lost. It would have been a heartbreaker if we had lost to Shipley. It shows that the girls haven’t given up and that they are still trying hard.”

Hun has been getting some hard play from Shockley as she looks to make the most of her final hoops season.

“Shockley is definitely stepping up; she is a fourth year player and is a very talented athlete,” said Holup, noting that Shockley also stars at soccer and lacrosse and will likely playing the latter sport at the college level. “She competes hard but wants to have fun. You have more fun when you are winning games.”

Post-grad Sunders has been having more fun lately. “For JacQuel, it has been more of a comfort factor,” said Holup, whose team is slated to end regular season play with a home game against WW/P-S on February 10.

“In the first half of the season, she thought she had to do everything. She didn’t have trust in the rest of the team. Now she is looking for the pass and is getting the ball back in a good position. She is more patient; she is not forcing things.”

Hun is looking forward to the post-season, starting its stretch drive by competing in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tournament this weekend at Blair.

While nationally ranked Peddie has dominated MAPL play, Holup sees plenty of parity around the rest of the league.

“I have watched the other MAPL teams and have looked at the scores, it is pretty competitive between us, Blair, Hill, and Lawrenceville,” said Holup, whose team will also be competing in the state Prep A tournament starting on February 17.

“We need to play like we have been. We can’t allow fatigue to be an issue; we can’t hang our heads if the other team makes a run. We have talent and it is a matter of not giving up on plays. I tell the girls, if you keep working hard, good things are going to happen.”

Return to Previous Sports Story | Return to Top | Go to Next Sports Story