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.