Hamilton Heights’ Hawks defeated Hill Academy (Canada) Saturday, 54-50, in the Huntington (W.Va.) Invitational at Big Sandy Arena and improved to 20-2 on the season.
The victory, following a 78-71 win against St. Louis Christian, sends the Hawks into next week’s busy schedule on a high note.
Hamilton Heights is scheduled to play at Brentwood Academy on Thursday and then participate in the McCallie Classic on Friday and Saturday. The Hawks will play Chattanooga Central and third-ranked (USA Today) powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in th inaugural round robin on the McCallie campus.
Therren Shelton-Szmidt scored 14 points and added four rebounds, four steals and three assists in the win over Hill Academy.
Abdulhakim Ado turned in a solid effort with 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished with 11 points, three assists, seven rebounds and two steals.
Hill Academy had a slight 30-29 rebounding edge. The Hawks hit 17-of-25 field goals compared to 18-of-44 for Hill, but had a 17-of-25 to 8-of-15 edge at the free-throw line.
On Friday, Szmidt scored 20 points for the Hawks, who also had four other players in double figures.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 18 points, six assists and three steals. Ado added 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Walker added 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Silas Adheke finished with 10 points and six rebounds.