What was a disappointing loss for Hobbton Middle’s girls Monday was an exciting win for county rival Midway Middle, who posted a 34-19 victory.

“I thought both teams played very hard,” said middle school Raider coach Selena Joseph. “They got in foul trouble early and we were able to take advantage of that. But, overall, I thought it was a great game.

Although Hobbton Middle coach Parenza Best tipped his hat to Midway for a well-played game, he wasn’t quite as happy with the play of his team. “It’s difficult to play 5 on 6,” Best stressed, opting not to comment further on his team’s play.

“Midway did a great job. They did what they were supposed to do and they came out the winner. I respect them for what they were able to do,” Best said.

The young Raider girls, he said, played aggressively, something he was impressed with from the game’s start.

But, like Joseph, he noted that early foul trouble hurt them, particularly when leading scorer Nina Devane went out of the game early in the second half.

Devane led Hobbton’s scoring with 7 points.

In all, Hobbton had 9 fouls before the end of the first half; Midway had only 2.

“That pretty much tells the story,” Best said.

Joseph praised her team’s effort, saying she thought they showed great team play during the game.

Leading the Midway effort was Rachel Hodges with 10 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals; Leah Williams with 6 points, 7 steals and 2 assists; Alex Canady with 4 points, 2 rebounds and 3 blocks; Casey McLamb, 2 points; Brittany Rodriguez, 2 points, 3 rebounds; Sabrina Crowell, 2 points, 1 rebound; Blythe Best, 2 points, 1 rebound; Maggie Warren, 3 points, 3 steals, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks; and Haley West, 2 rebounds.

Hobbton’s record moves to 3-2. They host undefeated Sampson Middle Thursday.

Midway’s record was not available.