By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
When a basketball team plays a difficult schedule – and pays for it in the win-loss record – sometimes the effort that team gives tends to go unappreciated.
Thankfully, that did not happen to the Hamilton Heights girls basketball team this week. The Huskies were 5-5 beginning the week, but debuted in the ICGSA’s Class 3A poll at No. 10. Heights celebrated Saturday with a victory at Greenfield-Central; the Huskies defeated the Cougars 59-35 to improve their record to 6-5 for the season.
Heights was in control at Greenfield from the beginning. The Huskies scored the first eight points of the game, with Kayla Kirtley hitting a 3-pointer along the way. Bayleigh Runner also made a ‘3’ late in the period, and her two foul shots with one second left in the quarter gave Heights a 19-5 lead.
The Huskies led 33-12 at halftime. Payton Dissett opened the second period with a 3-pointer, then freshman Chloee Thomas made back-to-back layins.
“I was really proud of Chloee and all the underclassmen, frankly for the minutes they gave today,” said Heights coach Keegan Cherry.
Runner stepped up again in the later stages of the second, with another ‘3’ and two more free throws.
“I thought today was just a matter of, we guarded again,” said Cherry. “That’s our DNA. We were on their sets. We had their personnel. And the girls executed. It’s one thing to have the best game plan, but it’s another thing for the girls to go out and execute it. The girls executed defensively, and we made shots. That always helps when you’re making shots.”
The Huskies reached their largest lead of the game in the third quarter when a 3-pointer by Kirtley put them ahead 45-13. Earlier, Runner got her third ‘3’ of the game.
The Cougars scored 10 unanswered points, a run that carried them into the fourth quarter, to cut Heights’ lead to 45-23 with 7:25 to go. Lauryn Wiley ended Greenfield-Central’s run with a layin, and the Huskies held their lead at around 23 to 28 points for the remainder of the game. Dissett and Kirtley both hit 3-pointers in the quarter.
If you’re keeping count: Runner and Kirtley both had three 3s, while Dissett made two long-range shots. Heights was 8-of-14 from 3-point range.
“But they were wide-open looks,” said Cherry. “Shots that we’ve got to take and shots that we’ve got to make and the girls shot the ball with confidence and that’s what’s supposed to happen. You’re supposed to make them.”
Runner finished the game with 16 points, while Kirtley scored 15. Collar got the job done inside, with eight points.
“Really proud of them,” said Cherry. “That’s one thing we’ve talked a lot about in practice is, we’re going to need more than just one girl or two girls if we’re going to do things in the post-season. If we’re going to achieve our goals, we’ve got to have other girls step up. It’s not just about Kayla. A lot of teams are going to scout and take her away, and for good reason. She can stretch the floor. But other girls, when they’re open, they’ve got to step up and make shots. Today I thought we took a step in that direction.”
Heights’ defense played exceptionally well, getting 17 steals. Collar had six takeaways by herself.
Runner and Branham each had solid games. In addition to being the top scorer, Runner had five steals, five assists and two blocked shots. Branham scored six points, along with four steals, four assists and two blocks.
“Bayleigh Runner, really proud of her,” said Cheery. “She oftentimes gets overlooked, but she makes everything go for us. Her and Lexi. They’re kind of the generals out there and if not for them, Kayla’s not getting a lot of those looks that she gets. Bayleigh shot the ball really well today, too.”
Next up for the Huskies is the East Central Tournament. Heights will play the host school in its first game, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. East Central is a 4A school, the eighth team in that class that the Huskies will play this season.
Hamilton Heights’ Bayleigh Runner (5) prepares to make a basket during the Huskies’ girls basketball game at Greenfield-Central Saturday afternoon. The Huskies won 59-35. Pictured in the background for Heights (from left) are Kayla Kirtley, Ana Collar and Lauryn Wiley. (Richie Hall)