Third quarter, free throws give Heights win at New Castle

Hamilton Heights used a huge third quarter to beat New Castle 76-65 Friday night at the Trojans’ historic fieldhouse.
New Castle led 31-30 at halftime, but the Huskies took over in the third quarter by outscoring the Trojans 22-5. Gus Etchison poured in 11 points during that period, with Issiac Hickok hitting two 3-pointers. Heights was able to hold on during a high-scoring fourth quarter; New Castle put in 29 points, but the Huskies’ 24 points allowed them to stay ahead.
Free throw shooting was a big part of Heights’ win, as it went 17-of 18 in the fourth period. AJ Field made 7 of 8, Etchison was 6-of-6 and Hudson Hochstedler was 4-of-5. For the game, Etchison made 10 of 12 free throws and finished with 26 points.
Field added 21 points (including 9-of-10 free throw shooting), while Camron Knott threw in three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points. Field, Knott, Etchison and Kray Leininger all pulled seven rebounds, with Etchison handing out five assists.
Heights’ junior varsity lost 49-38. Isaac Wilson scored 18 points, with Noah Linville adding seven points, five assists and three rebounds.
The Huskies are 2-1 for the season and host Guerin Catholic at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Heights 76, New Castle 65
Heights FG FT TP PF
Gus Etchison 8-16 10-12 26 3
Camron Knott 5-11 0-0 13 0
AJ Field 5-10 9-10 21 3
Kray Leininger 3-5 0-1 6 4
Hudson Hochstedler 0-2 4-5 4 4
Cory Vonfeldt 0-0 0-0 0 0
Issiac Hickok 2-6 0-0 6 2
Totals 23-50 23-28 76 16
Score by Quarters
Heights 20 10 22 24 – 76
New Castle 18 13 5 29 – 65
Heights 3-point shooting (7-20) Knott 3-7, Hickok 2-6, Field 2-5, Etchison 0-1, Hochstedler 0-1.
Heights rebounds (33) Field 7, Knott 7, Etchison 7, Leininger 7, Hickok 4, Hochstedler 1.