Big Blue’s big runs bulldoze Oak Hills

Hamilton breaks 6-game losing streak with a convincing win at home.

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12:43 AM Wednesday, February 8, 2012

By Eric Hickey

Contributing Writer

HAMILTON — Torrell Sutton set the tone early and the Hamilton High School boys basketball team was only happy to finish things the rest of the way.

Early in the first quarter, Sutton swooped in, grabbed a missed shot and slammed it home, a highlight-reel play which set the stage for a dominating 64-41 Greater Miami Conference win Tuesday night over visiting Oak Hills.

“We knew we had the size advantage and our plan was to attack inside,” Hamilton coach Tim Robinson said. “We cut down on turnovers, our bigs played well and we had some nice runs.”

Hamilton utilized two big runs in the game — a 12-1 surge that broke open a close game in the second quarter to snag a 28-17 halftime lead and a 12-0 edge to start the fourth that made it 55-33.

“We had the two big runs,” Robinson said. “The one in the second quarter gave us the lead and the one to start the fourth gave us some breathing room. I know the guys are tired of hearing me say we have a chance to win, but they continue to buy in and bring it. I can’t say enough about this staff and these kids. They never quit.”

Christian Jones had a game-high 15 points while Quintin Bailey added 11, both getting open looks outside courtesy of the strong inside game. Hamilton out-rebounded Oak Hills 39-22, including 15 offensive boards.

Breon Boyd had 11 points and 11 rebounds, Sutton finished with 10 boards and Marcus Oliver had eight for Hamilton, which broke a six-game losing streak to improve to 4-14 overall and 2-10 in the GMC.

Oak Hills cut the lead to 32-26 midway through the third but Jack Pflum, who led the Highlanders (7-10, 5-7 GMC) with 13 points, was called for a technical. Pflum didn’t play after that and Hamilton was able to regain momemtum.

“Give Hamilton credit, they came right at us early and put us on our heels,” Oak Hills coach Mike Price said after a long postgame talk with his team. “We knew we had a problem inside so we tried to pressure their guards.

“Give them credit, they just took it to us early and didn’t let up.”

Hamilton, which hit 23-of-50 shots from the field, hosts Fairfield on Friday night.

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