AFNORTH’s Makayla McNiel fights through Hohenfels defenders on a fast break during a game against the Tigers at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
HOHENFELS, Germany – The battle between the Lions and Tigers over the weekend turned out to be a draw.
Hohenfels’ boys earned a pair of lopsided victories Friday and Saturday, including a 76-49 victory on the second day. And AFNORTH’s girls emerged victorious after a couple of much closer games, including a 44-34 triumph on Saturday.
AFNORTH’s Selah Skariah goes up for a layup during the second half of a game against the Tigers at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH’s Maggie Masse shoots a pair of free throws during a game against the Tigers at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels’ Malea Jobity pulls up for a three-pointer early in the first quarter of a game against AFNORTH at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. Jobity finished the day with 12 of Hohenfels' 34 points. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Girls
Unlike the boys matchup, the girls game was reminiscent of a boxing match, with each team trading spurts and leads. AFNORTH led 21-18 at halftime.
Finja Liebing scored all eight of her points in the first quarter to help AFNORTH, which improved to 6-0 on the season with the two wins.
But AFNORTH coach Matt Wise said his team can’t get too excited about that.
“You don’t win any championship or get any credit for what you do in December or January,” Wise said. “This is all just preparation for four days in February.”
The physical match up continued through most of the game, with every loose ball and turnover seemingly putting a member of one or both teams on the ground.
Mackayla McNeil scored eight of her nine points and Selah Skariah seven of her nine in the second-half for the Lions. Jalissa Jobity led Hohenfels (1-5) with 14 points and sister Malea Jobity had 12.
AFNORTH heads to Rota, Spain, next weekend, while Hohenfels has a home-and-home series with Vilseck.
AFNORTH’s Anthony Romar drives to the basket while being met by Hohenfels defenders Joel Idowu, left, and Jacob Idowu during a game against the Tigers at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH’s Connor Luminarias get set for a three-point shot during a game against the Tigers at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels’ Joel Idowu shoots free throws during a game against AFNORTH at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels’ Cameron Sanchez drives and scores at the hoop during the second half of a game against AFNORTH at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels’ Jacob Berkau takes the ball down the court in the second half of a game against AFNORTH at Hohenfels High School on Jan. 13, 2024. Berkau finished the day with nine points in a 76-49 win. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Boys
The Tigers outscored the Lions 43-18 over the two middle quarters to blow the game open.
Hohenfels brothers Jacob and Joel Idowu were a matchup nightmare on the boards for the less vertically inclined Lions. The brothers also lead the team in points with the former finishing with 20 and the latter with 16.
Like the AFNORTH girls, Hohenfels’ boys improved to 6-0.
Connor Luminarias led the Lions with 12 points.
