Hodges-Johnson points Eagles in right direction
Metro Sports Report
Tatiana Hodges-Johnson has several new roles with the Kirkwood women's basketball team this season.
First of all, the 5-foot-7 sophomore from Des Moines has become a point guard this season after playing on the wing last year. And secondly, Coach Kim Muhl wants Hodges-Johnson to take charge of this team.
The results were impressive Saturday.
Hodges-Johnson scored 17 points and filled out the boxscore as the third-ranked Eagles rallied to defeat Northeast Community College, 69-62, in an ICCAC conference game at Johnson.
Hodges-Johnson grabbed six rebounds, collected four assists, and made third steals with an impressive showing at both ends of the floor.
"Coach wants me to be a leader this year," said Hodges-Johnson. "I've embraced that role and trying to lead the team."
Kirkwood (2-0) trailed by four points early in the fourth quarter before pulling away for the victory. Ashley Tull scored eight points in the final stanza and Hodges-Johnson hit four straight free throws coming down the stretch.
Muhl likes what Hodges-Johnson does with the ball. He also likes the way she attacks the basket when the Eagles have a fast break.
"She's strong," said Muhl. "She's hard to stop."
Karsyn Stratton contributed 15 points for Kirkwood and Tull finished with 10. The Eagles beat Northeast on the backboards, 39-26, with Hodges-Johnson, Kortney Drake, Kemara Watson, and Tull grabbing six
apiece.
Taylor Peter scored 20 points for Northeast (1-1).
Kirkwood hosts NIACC Wednesday at 5 p.m.
NORTHEAST (62): Yiesha Williams 2 2-2 7, Taylor Peter 7 4-4 20,
Patricija Peric 1 3-5 6, Ashley Hassett 0 3-4 3, Breanna Stouffer 4 6-6 16,
Molly Davis 0 1-4 1, Hannah Ollendick 3 0-0 9, Kelly Kleffner 0 0-0 0,
Brianna Bauer 0 0-0 0. Totals 17-51 19-25 62.
KIRKWOOD (69): Karsyn Stratton 7 1-2 15, Tatiana Hodges-Johnson 6 4-4 17,
Kortney Drake 2 2-2 8, Kemara Watson 3 1-2 7, Ashley Tull 5 0-1 10,
Dominique Rodriguez 1 2-2 4, Tasia Jordan 0 1-2 1, Kendra Hatley 0 2-2 2,
Naya Haymon 1 1-1 3, Maddie Paulsen 1 0-0 2, Corey Whitlock 0 0-0 0.
Totals 26 14-18 69.
Halftime - Kirkwood 27, Northeast 20. 3-point goals - Northeast 9-22
(Ollendick 3, Peter 2, Stouffer 2, Williams 1, Peric 1), Kirkwood 3
(Drake 2, Hodges-Johnson 1).
