Hamilton Heights breezed into Brainerd High’s gymnasium on Tuesday and proved it can win without 6-foot-11-inch Abdulhakim Ado going on a rampage at both ends of the court.
Ado, plagued by foul trouble, scored only five points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Hawks’ 71-56 victory over the Panthers.
But it was Strahinja Micakovic’s team-high 20 points, including three 3-pointers, that paced the Hawks (6-1). Ezekiel Balogun added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Monaire McCartney added 11 points.
With Ado and 6-8 wing Silas Adheke with two early fouls, Brainerd’s Marquis Tipton chewed up the Hawks’ middle defense and scored 15 of Brainerd’s 21 second-quarter points that kept the Panthers within striking distance at 35-31 at the break.
Tipton finished with a game-high 21 points, but was held in check when Ado and Adheke back on the court after halftime.
Tipton drilled four 3s.
The Hawks started the third quarter with a 12-2 run to open a 53-39 lead.
Brainerd’s Da’V Moore scored 14 points.
In the girls’ game, Hamilton Heights (6-1) got 22 points from Amber Hunt and Jazmine Massengill had 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the Lady Hawks rolled to a 56-38 win.
Jaimie Ward scored 18 points and Jumeka Brown tossed in 12 for the Lady Panthers.
Scoring Summaries
Boys Game
Hamilton Heights 19 16 18 18 – 71
Brainerd 20 21 8 17 – 56
Hamilton Heights (71) – Laing, Ado 5, Ezekiel Balogun 15, Strahinja Micakovic 20, Monaire McCartney 11, Andelic 9, Adheke 9, Massengill 2, Abubukar.
Brainerd (56) – Marquis Tipton 21, Evans 5, Beavers, Graham, Cothran 5, Herman 2, Walker 1, Da’V Moore 14.
3-Point Goals – Hamilton Heights 5 (Micakovic 3, McCartney 1, Andelic 1), Brainerd 4 (Tipton 3, Cothran 1).
Girls Game
Hamilton Heights 14 12 15 15 – 56
Brainerd 6 9 16 7 – 38
Hamilton Heights (56) – Jazmine Massengill 16, D. Balogun, E. Balogun 3, Todorova, Onome 8, Monyei 1, Kasaciunaite 3, Plentauskaite, Amber Hunt 22.
Brainerd (38) – Jaimie Ward 18, Watkins 2, Price, Calloway 6, Ashley, Jumeka Brown 12, Sparks, McClendon.
3-Point Goals – Hamilton Heights 6 (Massengill 3, Hunt 2, E. Balogun 1).
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)