Hammond Girls Back In State Title Game

Aubrie Dunn of Hammond sinks 2 points against Ripley in the NYS Class D semifinals.
Photo by: Jeff Bunstone

Hammond is defiantly not a stranger to the New York State Class "D" Final Four, and they showed why Saturday afternoon. Hammond took on Ripley a team from section 6. The Red Devils opened up scoring 4 points, but the Ripley Eagles' defense picked up and held the Devils to just seven first quarter points and the Red Devils led 7-2 after one. Hammond came out in the second quarter looking to up their lead. They opened the game up with a quick ten point lead with 7:20 left in the first half, 12-2 with an Aubrie Dunn three-pointer. Then Hammond scored another 5 points and produced a dominating 10-0 run that put Ripley on their heels. Ripley had trouble with the tough 2-3 zone of the Red Devils and Hammond cruised to a 24-13 half-time lead. In the second half, Hammond used some great foul shooting and outside shooting to extend their lead. Brittany Kenyon, last year's State MVP was brilliant on offense and was just getting over a case of pneumonia. Hammond led after three quarter 41-28. In the fourth, Ripley tried to get back into the game with Samantha leading the way, but could not seem to make a run. Hammond kept on the pressure and forged on to a 53-40 win. Samantha Eimers had 21 points for the Ripley Eagles. Aubrie Dunn had 10 and Brittany Kenyon had 17 for the lady Red Devils. Hammond faces Coleman Catholic at 12:00 in the NYS Championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Hammond will look to defend its New York State Championship reign.