Hibs, Starlites cruise to comfortable victories

ARMS Depiro 66Hibernians 77 (15-17, 6-26, 21-16, 24-18) A strong second quarter paved the way for Hibs’ win over ARMS Depiro as the latter, despite all their efforts in the second half, could never close down the margin in a substantial way. Two early Ashleigh van Vliet hoops set the Paolites off for this game. Hannah Johnson, Depiro’s main reference point, did respond with two buckets of her own but Hibs raced to an eight minute 15-6 lead after two Amelia Simmons baskets. The latter once again came off the bench as she seems to be still recovering her match fitness. Depiro, shorn of the services of Claire Ciantar and Nicole Agius, showed character when they closed down the gap to merely two points, 15-17, at the end of the first quarter after points from Nicole Hili and Neve Borg. Hibs opened a double-digit lead after they hit their opponents with an 11-2 run in the first three minutes of the second quarter with three Simmons hoops as well as a Naomi Farrugia trey. Depiro’s reaction was not forthcoming at this time and Hibs closed off the half with another positive streak, this time of 15 consecutive points, including hoops from young Ylenia Bonett for a somewhat large 43-21...