The REPORTER
The Hamilton Southeastern boys basketball team has been playing at its best of late and that continued on Friday. The Royals were able to extend their winning streak to six games with a road victory at Lawrence Central, 79-63.
Fresh off of winning the Homestead Holiday Tournament last week in an eight-team field on Dec. 27 and 28, HSE seems to be clicking at the right time.
The Royals jumped out to a 20-15 lead over the host Bears and wouldn’t look back.
Southeastern spread its advantage even more with a 20-13 second quarter to lead at halftime by a 40-28 score.
HSE stayed steady in the third with another 20-point frame to take a 60-42 score into the fourth.
A late 21-19 push by Lawrence Central in the fourth wouldn’t be enough for a comeback for the Bears, as the Royals would keep their distance in a 79-63 win.
Donovan Hamilton led all scorers with 23 points, while also grabbing five rebounds and adding three steals. Braeden Totton scored 22 on 8-of-9 shooting, including 3-for-4 from downtown. Nate Orr also had a solid night with 14 points, five boards and six assists.
A great shooting night at 65 percent overall, including 7-of-13 from three-point range, along with grabbing 27 rebounds to LC’s 19, were just a few factors that helped guide HSE to its eighth win. The win at LC helps surpass last season’s win total of seven.
The Royals (8-3) look to extend their streak at home tonight when they host Warren Central (5-5). The Warriors lost last night at home to No. 2 Lawrence North, 62-47.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 79, LAWRENCE CENTRAL 63
Southeastern FG FT TP PF
Donovan Hamilton 10-13 2-6 23 1
Nate Orr 5-10 3-4 14 1
Braeden Totten 8-9 3-4 22 0
Michael Griffith 1-1 0-0 2 3
Kam Anthony 0-1 0-0 0 3
Jack Jacobs 3-4 0-0 7 0
Maverick Young 3-6 0-0 7 4
Deion Miles 1-4 2-3 4 1
Lucas Weemer 0-0 0-0 0 1
Kian Kelly 0-0 0-0 0 0
Kallen Hoeft 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 31-48 10-17 79 14
Score by Quarters
Southeastern 20 20 20 19 – 79
Lawrence Central 15 13 14 21 – 63
Southeastern 3-point shooting (7-13) Totten 3-4, Young 1-4, Orr 1-3, Hamilton 1-1, Jacobs 1-1.
Southeastern rebounds (27) Hamilton 5, Orr 5, Griffith 5, Totten 4, Jacobs 2, Miles 2, Kelly 1, team 3.