By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
The Hamilton Heights girls basketball team finished up the first half of its season with its best defensive effort yet.
The Huskies beat Bishop Chatard 46-21 Wednesday night at the Husky Dome. The 21 points were the fewest allowed by Heights to an opponent this season.
After a tight first few minutes, the Huskies began to pull away a little towards the end of the first quarter. Kayla Kirtley made consecutive baskets to give Heights an 8-4 lead at the period’s end.
The Trojans made a three-point play to cut the Huskies’ lead to 8-7 early in the second quarter. But that was as close as they would get, as Heights embarked on an 11-0 run and were never challenged again after that. The Huskies led 21-9 at halftime.
“The first half, to only give up nine points, is pretty impressive,” said Heights coach Keegan Cherry. “I was really proud of the way we guarded there early.
“One thing about Chatard is, they play super hard. They’re really physical. And they were well-prepared. They had scouted and they were on some of our sets. But in turn, our girls did a good job, too. We were tuned in to that scouting report. We had their personnel and we guarded really well. I was pleased with our effort there in the first half.”
Lexi Branham was part of that early run, draining two 3-pointers. Payton Dissett also helped out, coming off the bench and making a 3-pointer as well.
“Lexi’s one of those kids that, she’s kind of got one speed all the time,” said Cherry. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of slowing her down. I love her energy. I love what she brings.”
Cherry noted that Branham rarely comes out, maybe for a 30-second breather every so often. Bayleigh Runner also is out on the floor quite a bit.
“People don’t understand how hard that is to play 32 minutes against that kind of competition, where they’re into you from the tip,” said Cherry. “To stay mentally strong for 32 minutes and do what they do is a credit to them and I couldn’t be prouder of the entire locker room.”
Heights has gotten noticed for the competition it plays, which includes 10 Class 4A schools. According to the Sagarin ratings, the Huskies have the toughest schedule of Class 3A teams, and are 26th overall – which puts them in the top 10 percent of all teams in terms of schedule strength.
Cherry said the schedule that his team played prepared them for tonight’s contest.
“Chatard is a physical team,” said Cherry. “They’re into you from the tip.” The coach also noted that his team’s conditioning was a big factor in the win as well.
The Huskies sailed through the second half with little resistance. Heights led 30-14 after three quarters, with four different players making a basket, including a 3 from Kirtley. The Huskies finished the game with an 8-0 run, including two more layins from Kirtley, who wound up with 15 points.
Branham scored 12 points, while Lauryn Wiley added 10 points. Both also grabbed five rebounds, as did Ana Collar. Runner dished out four assists, while Collar made four steals and two blocked shots.
Heights is now 5-5 for the season and will be off until Saturday, Dec. 23, when it plays at Greenfield-Central.
Hamilton Heights’ Bayleigh Runner looks to pass the ball during the Huskies’ game with Bishop Chatard Wednesday at the Husky Dome. Heights won 46-21; those 21 points are the fewest allowed by the Huskies this season. (Richie Hall)