WEST POINT — Malajae Robinson scored 9 of her team-high 16 points during the second quarter Tuesday night to help the New Hope High School girls basketball team to a 54-47 victory over Caledonia in the opening game for both teams.

It was not all smooth sailing for the Green Wave, who built a double-digit lead during the first half only to see the Cavaliers pull within two at 37-35 with 2:19 to go in the third quarter.

West Point built the lead back to seven on two free throws by Taylor Fair — who finished with 15 points — to close the third quarter. But when Tenyzia Lathan went coast-to-coast early in the fourth, it was back to three at 44-41.

But that was the last gasp for the Cavaliers, as the Green Wave reeled off the net 10 points to put away the game.

“We’re a young team, and we don’t know how to handle adversity,” West Point coach Dash Daniel said. “So I’m glad we got a taste of it early.”

They handled that adversity in part because three of Daniel’s starters scored in double digits. In addition to Robinson and Fair, Dukiana Jones also accomplished that, netting 13 points including a 3-pointer.

But the Green Wave defense deserves some of the credit, as the press rattled the Cavaliers. 

“We just put that in,” Daniel said, but West Point ran it as if it had been part of their game for years. “We have to fine-tune it, but we’ll be all right.”

During the run in which the Green Wave put away the game, consecutive Caledonia possessions resulted in a steal that led to a fastbreak layup, a traveling violation and two more steals that led to layups. By the time Mikeirria Moore’s basket on a two-on-two break pushed the lead to 52-41, only 2:04 remained on the clock.

And the Green Wave needed the press and the balanced scoring to overcome a sensational game by Caledonia’s Tenyzia Lathan. Lathan poured in 22 points, including hitting all 10 of her free throws. As a team, the Cavs were 21 of 24 from the line. 

Daniel had high praise for a player who scored only 2 points but did everything else well.

“Taylor Brownlee,” he said. “She stepped up. Young girl, never had much playing time, but when I called her name, she answered the bell.”

Daniel acknowledged there were elements that felt like a typical first game and was happy his team came away with the win despite some bumps in the road.

“We’re not going to harp on what happened,” he said. “We’re going to fine-tune and fix those things tomorrow.

“We’re going to be fine.”

Next up for the Green Wave is a visit from Choctaw County at 6 p.m. Tuesday, while the Cavaliers will be heading to Aberdeen that day for a 6 p.m. contest. 

West Point 54, Caledonia 47

Caledonia (47): Cadie Wright 1-0-2, Amaiya Quinn 0-2-2, Tenyzia Lathan 6-10-22, Kara Sides 1-1-3, Caitlyn Long 2-1-5, Madalyn Dvorak 0-4-4, Micayla Graham 1-2-4, Tykeasia Turner 2-1-5. Totals: 13-21-47.

West Point (54): Dukiana Jones 5-1-0-13, Malajae Robinson 6-4-16, Mikeirria Moore 3-0-6, Taylor Fair 4-7-15, Terica Smith 1-0-2, Taylor Brownlee 1-0-2. Totals: 20-1-11-54.

Caledonia (0-1)   6  13  18  10  —  47

West Point (1-0)  11  19  14  10  —  54

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