HAMPDEN – Tough man-to-man defense has been a hallmark of Earl Anderson’s Nokomis girls basketball teams.

The Warriors knew they would need another stellar defensive effort Wednesday night against Hampden Academy, a factor which was especially apparent as Nokomis’ offense was slow to come around.

The Warriors of Newport eventually got enough scoring, with eight points each from Michelle Barden and Ashley Bragdon, but it was tough man-to-man that was the biggest factor in a 36-24 Big East victory at the Hampden Academy gym.

Nokomis junior Rozlyn Peterson drew the toughest defensive assignment in guarding Hampden’s explosive sophomore guard, Tanna Ross.

“I just tried to stay on her, and I knew I had my team to back me up if I got in trouble,” Peterson said. “We knew we needed to play hard on her.”

Anderson was pleased with Peterson’s defense.

“She can guard a post player or a guard and everything in between,” he said. “Tanna Ross had the ball in her hands most of the game and it was a battle.”

Ross had game highs in points (13) and rebounds (10) but Hampden made just eight of its 47 field-goal attempts (17 percent).

The Warriors (2-0) forced seven turnovers and outscored Hampden 14-9 in the second quarter.

“They’re exceptional on defense,” Greenlaw said. “Earl’s a great coach and they play very hard. … I was just concerned with our ability to get out on their shooters, but I was impressed by our defensive effort tonight.”

The Broncos fell to 0-2 and suffered another injury loss when senior forward Jill Beal twisted her left ankle – the same ankle she sprained recently.

She scored four points before coming out in the first quarter, and without Beal in the middle the Warriors were able to work inside more.

That was clear late in the second quarter when Alyssa Bragdon, Ashley’s twin sister, scored on a baseline drive after a pass from Ashley Bragdon with three seconds left.

That play followed a wide-open 3-pointer by Barden, breaking a 16-16 tie and grabbing the lead for good.

“We were just trying to move and set picks, and I was just open for that shot,” Barden said. “We had some confidence going into the locker room but we still had to come out and play hard.”

Nokomis outscored the Broncos 15-8 in the second half.

Warriors freshman Kelly Paradis finished with six points, including a 17-footer with 3:46 left in the fourth quarter to push the lead back to 10 points. The basket came just after Nokomis starters Tatum Welch and Alyssa Bragdon had both fouled out.

Hampden doesn’t play again until Dec. 29, so Greenlaw is hoping Beal will be OK by then.

“We really need her,” he said. “She’s integral to what we want to do.”

WARRIORS 36, BRONCOS 24

Nokomis (2-0) Hampden (0-2)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Paradis 3 7 0 2 6 Maltz 0 2 2

Barden 3 8 1 2 8 Rawcliffe 0 0

Peterson 2 9 0 0 6 Bragg 0 1 0

Al. Bragdon 2 5 0 0 4 Lafayette 1 2

Cooper 0 2 0 0 0 Austin 0 1 0

As. Bragdon 3 8 2 7 8 Beal 2 3 4

Welch 2 3 0 2 4 Ryder 1 5 3

Weiland 0 0 0 0

Ross 4 25 4 13

Totals 15 42 3 13 36 Totals 8 47 12 24

Nokomis 7 21 26 36

Hampden 7 16 20 24

3-pt. goals – Nokomis (3-14): Peterson 2-7, Barden 1-4, Al. Bragdon 0-3; Hampden (1-3): Ross 1-3

JV: Hampden 34-25

Attendance: 250 (est.)