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Despite effort, Big Blue lose 24-22

Hamilton and Mason both shoot poorly in the half-court slugfest.

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1:51 AM Saturday, January 28, 2012

By Eric Hickey

Contributing Writer

HAMILTON — One constant this season for the Hamilton High boys basketball team has been its effort, especially against top teams in the Greater Miami Conference.

Unfortunately for the Big Blue, the other constant has been heartbreaking losses, which Hamilton once again endured at the hands of visiting Mason Friday night.

Mason’s Michael Van Kleunen converted a 3-point play with only 8 seconds left as the Comets escaped Hamilton with a well- earned 24-22 triumph.

Hamilton’s Quintin Bailey converted two free throws with 24 ticks left to give Big Blue a 22-21 lead, but Mason ran a perfect in-bounds play to Darin Harris. Harris drew the double team before finding a cutting Van Kleunen, who made the lay-up while drawing the foul.

“We wanted to foul, but some guys got confused,” HHS coach Tim Robinson said. “Not having any timeouts left really hurt us. Give Mason credit, they took everything we threw at them.”

“We tried to run it the play before, but Hamilton took it away,” Comets coach Greg Richards said. “Obviously in the a game like this, every possession is big and we were able to make a play at the end. Give Hamilton a lot of credit. They played their hearts out and made it really tough.”

Indeed, Hamilton turned the game into a half-court slugfest, notching a 10-9 halftime lead despite hitting only five first-half shots.

“We game-planned for two days and the kids did exactly what we wanted,” Robinson said. “This staff, and these kids, work so hard and we really need that game- changing win. We were close tonight. We just needed a break at the end and didn’t get it.”

Hamilton, which fell to 3-12, 1-7 in the GMC, was led by Bailey’s nine points. Torrell Sutton added four points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

The Big Blue finished the game a paltry 9-of-27 from the floor and turned the ball over 19 times. Mason was just as cold from the field, hitting only 9-of-37 of its shots.

Van Kleunen led the Comets, who lost all-league senior D.J. Sprague to an ankle injury in the first quarter, with 10 points. Mason improved to 13-2, 7-2 in the GMC.

The game had its historic side, both offensively and defensively, for the Big Blue.

Hamilton’s 22 points marked the lowest total scored by a Big Blue team since a 42-20 loss to Middletown in 1946.

Also, Mason’s 24 points was the lowest total allowed by a Hamilton High team since 1947, when the Big Blue scored an 81-18 victory against Urbana.

Finally, the 46 combined points are the fewest in a Hamilton game since that 42-20 loss to Middletown 66 years ago.

Hamilton, which stands alone in last place in the GMC, continues conference action with two games next week.

The Big Blue will play Tuesday at Middletown and then return home to face Lakota East on Friday.

Focus on your home teams Hamilton High School basketball

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