Hamilton Heights won its first sectional championship since 2018 on Saturday, beating Jay County 46-42 in a tough game at the New Castle Fieldhouse.
It was a close game throughout the entire 32 minutes. The Patriots led 13-12 after the first quarter, but the seventh-ranked Huskies came back to lead 20-18 at halftime. Camryn Runner had a solid first half, scoring 11 points, including three 3-pointers.
Jay County knotted the game up at 29-29 by the end of the third quarter. Runner’s five points and MyKayla Moran’s four points helped keep the Huskies in it. Heights then used good free-throw shooting to clinch the contest in the fourth quarter, with Jillian Osswald going 6-of-7 from the line and Runner going 3-for-4.
Runner finished the game with 25 points, including four 3-pointers.
“So happy for our girls,” said Heights coach Keegan Cherry. “It was a great program win. It was a total team effort against a very good Jay County team. We got contributions from everyone. Camryn Runner was a beast. Her ability to score was a key factor for us winning tonight.
“I think our press bothered Jay County from the standpoint of even when we didn’t turn them over, we were able to slow them down. Both Jillian and Camryn making their free throws down the stretch was also big time.
“Couldn’t be happier for our girls, school and community.”
Heights is now 18-1 for the season and will play next Saturday at the Bellmont regional. The Huskies take on Benton Central in the second semi-final game, with Angola and No. 6 Norwell playing in the first semi-final.
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 46, JAY COUNTY 42
Heights FG FT TP PF
Ella Hickok 0 0-1 0 0
Jillian Osswald 0 6-7 6 3
Camryn Runner 9 3-4 25 3
Sydney Runyan 3 0-0 6 3
MyKayla Moran 3 0-2 6 2
Kaylee Rhoton 0 0-0 0 0
Hadleigh Cherry 1 0-0 3 0
Totals 16 9-12 46 11
Score by Quarters
Heights 12 8 9 17 – 46
Jay County 13 5 11 13 – 42
Heights 3-pointers (5) Runner 4, Rhoton 1.