2019 ARBY’S CLASSIC A Christmas hangover… Slow first-half start dooms Hampton on open day of Arby’s Classic

Published 8:42 pm Sunday, December 29, 2019

By Ivan Sanders

BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
BRISTOL – For the first 16 minutes of play in Thursday’s opening round of the 2019 Arby’s Classic the Hampton Bulldogs appeared to be suffering from an overload of Christmas turkey and ham as Concord First Assembly broke out of the gates quickly to build a 24-point halftime lead.
Once the Bulldogs settled at the break, the second half was on more level footing but the first half lead was insurmountable as the ‘Dogs fell 75-44 in the second game of the tournament played Thursday at Bristol’s Viking Hall.
The Eagles from Concord, NC meanwhile had their way in the early going of the contest outscoring Hampton 20-0 in the first period and 15-11 in the second to build their lead.
Hampton played more consistently in the second half after making some adjustments at the intermission to play almost even with the Eagles but it was too little too late for the Bulldogs.
Concord was led in the game by Furman commit Garrett Hien (6’9) and Youngstown St. commit Cheick Traore (6’8) who totaled 16 points each in the contest to lead the Eagles to the win.
Hien’s stat line for the game showed the Paladin-to-be hitting 8-of-12 from the field, pulling down eight rebounds (3 offensive), dishing out three assists, pulling off two steals, and adding a blocked shot.
Meanwhile, Traore cleaned the glass for 10 boards to lead the Eagles in that category.
Javian Cannady also hit double figures for the Eagles knocking down 15 in the win.
For Hampton, Jordan Bentley led all ‘Dogs in scoring with 13 points in the contest. Bentley added two rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
As a team, no Bulldog recorded more than two rebounds in the contest.
Morgan Lyons added nine points for the Bulldogs while a trio of ‘Dogs scored five including Izaak Hill, Nathan Wilson, and Dalton Holtsclaw.
Garrett Vines contributed with three points while Rocky Croy and Caleb Oaks added two points apiece.
A tale-tell sign in the game was the difference in total rebounds and turnovers as the Eagles collected 38 boards (13 offensive) and had 14 turnovers to Hamptons 13 rebounds (two offensive) and 23 turnovers.
“We just couldn’t get anything to go down and made a lot of offensive turnovers there,” said Bulldog head coach Ned Smith. “They are extremely long and made it hard to make a pass.
“We finally got them spread out enough where we were able to make a few shots. They forced us to throw lobs and made it hard to get anything. You can’t have no nonchalant passes because they get every one of those because they are so athletic.
“No. 4 (Hien) and No. 24 (Traore) just play above the rim. They are blocking shots a foot above the rim. You will definitely see them playing at the next level.”
For Hampton’s Bentley, having the opportunity to go against competition like the ‘Dogs faced will only make him and the rest of his team better as the season goes.
“I think that will really help us down the road especially down the road if we are fortunate enough to get to state,” Bentley said. “That was a great opportunity for me to learn how to get a shot over taller players and create space.
“When we went into the locker room we told the guys just to calm down and play the type of ball they are accustomed to playing.”
With the loss, Hampton faced Tabernacle Bahamas on Friday.

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