Hamilton Heights lost an overtime game to Frankton on Thursday, falling 64-56 at the Huskies’ gym.
Heights was in control in the first half, leading 14-11 after the first quarter. The Huskies cruised through the second period to take a 36-23 lead at halftime. Gus Etchison had nine points in the half and was one of three Huskies players to make two 3-pointers. Noah Linville and Camron Knott both had two 3s as well, making both of their triples in the second quarter.
The Eagles began a comeback in the third period, cutting Heights’ lead to 45-41 by the end of the quarter. Etchison made a basket to start the fourth, but a 6-0 run by Frankton tied the game at 47-47.
The Huskies would take leads after baskets by Etchison and Hudson Hochstedler, but the Eagles answered them both times, bringing the score to 51-51 at the end of regulation. Frankton opened the extra period with a 3-pointer by Ethan Bates and a layin from Jacob Davenport, then finished the game on a 7-0 run.
“We didn’t do the things we needed to,” said Heights coach Chad Ballenger. “We had a nice 13-point lead at half. I kept telling them, you got to start this second half on a nice run or it’s going to be a real battle. We let them start off with like a 6-0 run to start the third quarter.
“It’s a tough life lesson,” said Ballenger. “It’s a tough one, because you don’t get many opportunities and that was an opportunity that we let slip away.”
Etchison scored 22 points, including three 3-pointers, and also had six assists, five rebounds and four steals. Camron Knott made three 3s for nine points.
Heights is 12-5 and is off until next Friday, Feb. 14, when it plays at Westfield.
FRANKTON 64, HAMILTON HEIGHTS 56
(overtime)
Heights FG FT TP PF
Gus Etchison 9-18 1-2 22 3
Issiac Hickok 1-1 1-1 3 2
Brent Pennington 2-9 0-0 5 1
Luke Carroll 1-1 2-2 4 3
Hudson Hochstedler 3-3 0-0 7 2
Lucas Letsinger 0-4 0-0 0 0
Jonny Cambron 0-1 0-0 0 1
Noah Linville 2-6 0-0 6 0
Camron Knott 3-8 0-0 9 1
Rich Espinoza 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 21-51 4-5 56 13
Score by Quarters
Frankton 11 12 18 10 13 – 64
Heights 14 22 9 6 5 – 56
Heights 3-point shooting (10-32) Etchison 3-8, Knott 3-8, Linville 2-6, Pennington 1-6, Hochstedler 1-1, Letsinger 0-3.
Heights rebounds (18) Etchison 5, Carroll 4, Hickok 2, Espinoza 2, Hochstedler 2, Knott 1, Pennington 1, Cambron 1.
Hamilton Heights’ Brent Pennington drives towards the basket during the Huskies’ game with Frankton Thursday. (Richie Hall)