Hampton sweeps South Greene in non-conference action
Published 12:25 pm Tuesday, December 13, 2022
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
Since getting beat in the season opener by Dobyns-Bennett, the Hampton Bulldogs have run off six straight wins, several of the blowout variety. On Monday evening at Van Huss / White gymnasium, the Bulldogs were finally challenged.
South Greene held a 64-63 lead with a little more than 10 seconds left, but a bucket from senior Cadon Buckles and a pair of free throws from Geno Carrico gave Hampton a 67-64 nonconference victory.
“The kids came out and played well against a good South Greene team,” Bulldogs head coach Ned Smith said. “We hit 18 of 21 from the free throw line and we kept our composure and put pressure on the ball. The kids stepped up and made their free throws.”
It looked initially like it would be another Hampton rout as the ‘Dogs (6-1 overall) took a 17-10 first-quarter lead but lefty forward Cooper Kelley got hot in the second period as the Rebels pulled to within 32-29 at the half.
Kelley scored 12 of his team-high 21 points in the second period to help the Rebels get themselves within striking distance. Buckles hit a trey at the buzzer in the third quarter to give the ‘Dogs a 55-52 lead going into the final stanza.
From there, the lead swayed back and forth, with Carrico giving Hampton a 61-59 lead at the 1:33 mark of the period but Andrew Thornburg’s three-point play gave South Greene a 62-61 advantage. Junior post, Hayden Campbell hit both ends of his one-and-one to give the ‘Dogs the lead again, but Jace Roderick hit a deuce in the paint for the Rebels.
With 8.9 seconds left, Buckles scored the last of his game-high 27 points with a deuce from the corner and after a defensive stop at the other end of the court, Carrico knocked down his free throws for the final margin.
“They were very physical,” Campbell said. “It was exhilarating and it came together in a good way. Cadon Buckles has a way of keeping everybody on task and keeping our composure and running things on the court.”
For South Greene, Kelley had a team-high 21 points.
