First-ever win over rival Hopewell puts Hough in I-Meek's driver's seat. 

Being in first place is a really big deal for the Hough High girls' basketball team, but Huskies coach Sonja Tate knows better than to get too excited about it too soon.

After all, there are five games left in the I-Meek Conference regular season, including two against teams that were within a shot of tying or defeating the Huskies in the game's final seconds earlier this season.

"There's lots of basketball left," said Tate, after her team's 39-31 victory against rival Hopewell on Thesday helped the Huskies improve to 8-1 in conference play and 12-6 overall. "But this feels pretty good"

It was a breakthrough win for Hough against Hopewell, which hadn't been out of the conference's top spot in three years. The teams entered the game tied with 7-1 league records, with Hopewell winning the Dec. 13 meeting 44-36. Hopewell beat Hough in both matchups last year.

"They were the only team we had never beaten," Tate said, of her second-year varsity program.

Tough defense keyed the victory on Thursday. Both teams struggled throughout to put the ball in the basket. Hough led 8-4 after one quarter and just 13-6 at halftime. The Huskies forced 19 turnovers, and Hopewell connected on just nine of its 41 shots.

Baskets were at a premium.

Hough pulled away at the start of the thirdd quarter, scoring four straight buckets, including three in a row by Brandi Arey, who switched places with teammate Julia Brown in the high post and took advantage of a mismatch to get three quick layups that made the score 21-6 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

Hopewell's pressure defense created problems and forced Hough turnovers in the final quarter, but the Titans, who overcame a fourth quarter deficit and scored the game's final 15 points in their earlier win over Hough, couldn't duplicate the feat on Thursday.

"Hough showed great patience," said Hopewell coach Gary Richmond "And they were very balanced."

Brown and Kelsey Dean each scored 12 points to lead the Huskies, while Arey added eight. Sharee Boyd had 15 points for the Titans, who fell to 11-7 overall and 7-2 in the I-Meck.

"They shut us down," said Richmond "They just played a collapsing defense and didn't let Sharee drive to the basket."

The Titans did a good job defensively, accomplishing their goal of shutting down Hough guard Anna Diggs, but it wasn't enough.

"Our goal was to not let Anna beat us with threes," said Richmond. "If you told me we'd hold Anna to two points and we'd lose, I'd say, 'no way. But their other players stepped up."

Heading into Friday's league contests, Hopewell is now tied with rival Mallard Creek for second in the I-Meek. The Titans host Lake Norman Friday, while Hough visits North Meck.