By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
Hamilton Heights came closer to its first win of the season on Saturday, battling a tough Mount Vernon team to the end before falling 77-73 in the Husky Dome.
While the Huskies are 0-2 for the season, there were some good things that came out of the game. Those included breakout performances by two seniors and a fight back from a large deficit in the third quarter.
“Great job by our kids fighting,” said Heights coach Chad Ballenger. “Our kids didn’t quit and really gave ourselves a chance at the end. We got down 17 in the third quarter and made a nice run.”
The Marauders skipped off to a 9-3 lead early in the first period, after which Heights stormed back by scoring nine straight points for a 12-9 advantage. Senior Caleb Bean scored the first six points of that run, making three baskets.
Bean’s first score was a layin. Bean got his second basket off a steal by Hudson Hochstedler, then he tied the game on a putback. Seconds later, senior Michael Cross gave the Huskies the lead with a three-point play.
Mount Vernon began to find its range from beyond the 3-point line after that, and drained three triples towards the end of the quarter. That allowed the Marauders to lead 18-17 going into the second period, which began with MV’s Brandon Bell hitting a 3.
The Marauders began extending their lead from there, going up by as much as 38-25. Bean took over again, scoring six straight points to cut the lead to 38-31. The half ended with Mount Vernon ahead 40-32.
If the first half belonged to Bean, Cross dominated the second half. He scored 11 points in the third quarter, including two baskets that began the Huskies’ comeback from being down 58-41 late in the third.
Other players were helping out, too. Camron Knott came off the bench to make a 3-pointer during the final seconds of the third, which ended with Mount Vernon ahead 63-51.
After trading baskets to begin the fourth, Heights scored 10 unanswered points to get within 65-63. Sam Wahl, also off the bench, started the run with a 3-pointer.
“Sam Wahl came in and sparked us and did a great job,” said Ballenger.
Bean scored off a steal, Cross’ floater was good, and Wahl drained another 3 to cut MV’s lead to two. Logan Smith’s consecutive baskets pushed the Marauders’ lead back up to 69-63, however, and they were able to stay ahead between four to eight points for the remaining minutes of the game.
Cross finished the game with 21 points, while Bean was right behind him with 20. Bean led the rebounding with six boards and Cross had five.
The Huskies had 15 team assists for the game. Max Beale and Hudson Hochstedler both dished out four assists.
“We had some guys make some shots and played a little more uptempo, the way we want,” said Ballenger. “Just got to get over the hump.”
Heights is now 0-2 and will try again for its first win on Friday, when the Huskies host New Castle.
Heights won the junior varsity game 68-53. Ethan Rodriguez poured in five 3-pointers on his way to 19 points, and also had eight rebounds and two assists. Gus Etchison added 18 points, including two triples, two rebounds and two assists.
ABOVE: Hamilton Heights senior Caleb Bean scored 20 points for the Huskies in their Saturday game with Mount Vernon at the Husky Dome.
BELOW: Grant LePoidevin had eight points for the Huskies. (Kent Graham)
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