Hamilton Heights got the toughest draw possible when the Huskies traveled to Yorktown to compete in Class 3A Sectional 24 Tuesday night.
Heights had to take on a 20-win Jay County team in the first round. The Huskies and the Patriots eventually went to overtime, which is where Heights won 36-33 to advance to the semi-finals.
Jay County got the Huskies down 15-8 after the first quarter, but Heights came roaring back in the second period, outscoring the Patriots 15-4 to take a 23-19 halftime lead. MyKayla Moran stepped in the second quarter, scoring eight points.
The Huskies led 28-24 after three periods, with Camryn Runner scoring five for Heights in that quarter. Jay County came back to tie the game at 32-32 by the end of regulation, but the Huskies’ defense clamped down again, allowing the Patriots only one point in the extra period. Runner, meanwhile, scored all four of Heights’ overtime points.
“Tournament is all about survival,” said Heights coach Keegan Cherry. “Two really good teams battled tonight. Hats off to Jay County and Coach Comer. That’s a really nice team he has. I think both of us would say it wasn’t the prettiest tonight.”
Cherry credited his team with grinding, never giving up and finding a way to win.
“We took a big punch early and our girls responded,” said Cherry. “Getting that momentum to close out the first half was huge. Camryn Runner was special in the closing minute of overtime.”
Runner finished with 13 points, while Moran had 10 points.
The Huskies are 16-5 and play Delta in the semi-finals, which are scheduled for Friday.
“We know we still have unfinished business,” said Cherry. “Multiple teams remain in our sectional that are capable of beating us. We must remain humble and hungry.”
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 36, JAY COUNTY 33
(overtime)
Heights FG FT TP PF
Ella Hickok 2 0-0 5 3
Mia Shields 2 0-1 5 3
Camryn Runner 4 4-4 13 3
Hadleigh Cherry 0 0-0 0 0
MyKayla Moran 4 2-8 10 2
Kaylee Rhoton 1 0-0 3 0
Totals 13 6-13 36 11
Score by Quarters
Heights 8 15 5 4 4 – 36
Jay County 15 4 5 8 1 – 33
Heights 3-pointers (4) Hickok 1, Shields 1, Runner 1, Rhoton 1.