The East Lawrence Recreation Center was the site of much improvement Wednesday as the second- and third-grade Hoospters Hoosiers team took to the court. The young team members were matched up against the Yellow Jackets in the teams’ first game since the holidays. The break gave the second-ranked Hoosiers a chance to work on their game, helping them in their 30-14 win over the Yellow Jackets.

Hoosiers coach Mike Clarke said the game marked the team’s improvement after working hard in many areas.

“This was one of our better games,” Clarke said. “We had good passing in this game. Our number one strength is in our defense, we are also strong in our low post position.”

The Hoosiers ended the first quarter strong in a 6-point lead over the Yellow Jackets. Daniel Clarke scored the first basket for the team, followed by Logan Shield’s smooth lay-up.

Both the Hoosiers and the Yellow Jackets showed much improvement in working on staying within bounds, attempting baskets and defending their goals.

The Yellow Jackets got in a few good passes in the first quarter while Luke Padia attempted a long three-point shot. Team members worked hard to assist each other on the court, constantly looking to make passes to open teammates.

Yellow Jacket Winston Wiebe dribbles the ball down the sideline during the second half of the game with the Hoosiers on Wednesday at the East Lawrence Center.

Though the Yellow Jackets worked hard the first quarter, the Hoosiers would begin to secure their victory in the second quarter as they took a 20-point lead to the Yellow Jackets’ two points. They made many attempts, but the Yellow Jackets just could not compete with the Hoosiers’ lay-up from Shields, basket from Jack Flynn and three buckets from Drew Tochtrop.

Clarke said Tochtrop continues to shine as one of the key Hoosier players.

“Drew played really well tonight, he is one of our stars,” Clarke said.

Tochtrop lead his team into the third quarter with help from Daniel Clarke’s rebound attempts and another basket from Shields. Teammate Tanner Pfortmiller also put in some good work in hustling down the court.

The Hoosiers held the Yellow Jackets to a stagnant third quarter until they finally scored with a Winston Wiebe bucket.

The fourth quarter marked valiant efforts for the Yello Jackets. After a clean steal from Zakary McAlister, he went on to make a nice rebound shot followed by another bucket. Wiebe also racked up two baskets, and a last shot from Padia added more points to the team’s tally. The team exhibited both good offense and defense by holding the Hoosiers at 30 points and scoring baskets for themselves.

Clarke attributed the Hoosiers’ inability to score in the last quarter to a weakness in guard play.

“Our biggest weakness is in our guard play, it is not as good as it should be,” Clarke said.

The Yellow Jackets were able to take advantage of some of the Hoosiers weaknesses in the last quarter, but unfortunately it was too late as the Hoosiers ended victorious with 30 points to the Yellow Jackets’ 14.