Nationally ranked Hamilton Heights whipped Lighthouse Christian, 75-43, Friday night in Nashville behind the combined 41-point offensive assault by Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Therren Shelton-Szmidt.
Walker scored a game-high 21 points and added four assists, four rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots as the Hawks (24-3) tuned up for the annual National Association of Christian Athletes national tournament at Fort Bluff in Northern Rhea County next week.
Walker scored 12 points in the first quarter, powering the Hawks to a 26-9 lead.
Szmidt tossed in 20 points.
The Canadians combined to hit 15-of-26 field goals and that helped the Hawks shoot 53 percent (31-of-59) from the field. They teamed up to drain 8-of-12 3-pointers.
Abdulhakim Ado turned in a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He also blocked three shots.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also had a double-double with 10 points and 14 assists
Hamilton Heights, which remains in the running for a possible spot in the Dick’s National tournament in New York City later this season, out-rebounded Lighthouse 42-23.
Jaden Springer paced Lighthouse with 14 points. Zion Harmon and Mo Mohammed each scored 11 points.
Hamilton Heights girls 112, Lighthouse Christian 26: It was no contest.
The Lady Hawks’ Elizabeth Balogun poured in 35 points, outscoring the entire Lighthouse roster by herself. She also had six steals, four rebounds and two assists.
Jazmine Massengill tossed in 24 points and added four rebounds, four steals and four assists.
Amber Hunt scored 16 points, three blocks and hit four of the Lady Hawks’ 10 3-pointers.
Treasure Hunt had 12 points and three assists.
Akia Harris scored only eight points, but set a school record with 19 assists. She also had six steals.
Boxscores
Boys
Lighthouse Christian 9 10 12 12 – 43
Hamilton Heights 28 14 18 17 – 75
Lighthouse Christian (43) – Jaden Springer 14, Wharton, Zion Harmon 11, Mo Mohammed 11, Udemedu 2, Vann 3, Jones, Kirk 2, Smith.
Hamilton Heights (75) – Abubakar, Abdulhakim 12, Therren Shelton-Szmidt 20, Nickeil Alexander-Walker 21, Ghuloom, Massengill 5, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 8, Samake 9, Adheke.
3-Point Goals – Lighthouse Christian 3 (Springer 2, Vann 1, Hamilton Heights 8 (Szmidt 5, Walker 3).
Girls
Lighthouse Christian 14 10 2 0 – 26
Hamilton Heights 36 28 19 29 – 112
Lighthouse Christian (26) – Gilbert 6, Tatum 5, Mallory 2, Lauren Flowers 11, Young.
Hamilton Heights (112) – Jazmine Massengill 24, Elizabeth Balogun 35, Todorova 3, Esadah 8, Treasure Hunt 12, Harris 8, Besedian 5, Ambert Hunt 16.
3-Point Goals – Lighthouse Christian 5 (Flowers 3, Tatum 1, Gilbert 1), Hamilton Heights 10 (A. Hunt 4, Massengill 2, T. Hunt 2, Balogun 1, Tedorova 1).
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)