In a short two-game series between Hamilton Heights and Brentwood Academy, one thing has become evident. It’s going to be a close game.
Playing before a packed house of hundreds of people at Brentwood Academy in Nashville on Wednesday night, including Kentucky coach John Calipari, the visiting Hawks rallied late and warded off the Eagles’ final push to post a 56-52 victory.
The Eagles’ Darius Garland, the No. 12-rated 2018 prospect in the country according to ESPN 60, hit a bucket to trim the Hawks’ lead to 54-52 with 18 seconds remaining. Brentwood missed three straight shots, but Garland drove the lane for his clutch layup.
Hamilton Heights’ C.J. Massengill missed the front end of a one-and-one with 10.4 seconds on the clock. Brentwood’s Cam Johnson received a pass from Tate Pierson and raced down court where he missed a left-handed layup.
Jordan Rawls made two free throws with under one second left to seal the victory for the Hawks (13-4).
Therren Shelton-Szmidt paced the Hawks with 22 points. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 14 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Kentucky signee Calipari was paying the closest attention to, tossed in 13 points.
Garland scored a game-high 26 points. Szmidt and Walker, both of whom defended the talented point guard during the game, both fouled out late. Szmidt has signed with Middle Tennessee State.
Jeremiah Oatsvall, an Austin Peay football signee, added 11 points for the Eagles (11-2).
Last February, Hamilton Heights edged Brentwood Academy, 55-52.
In the girls’ game, the Lady Hawks had no trouble routing the Lady Eagles 60-35.
Elizabeth Balogun scored 18 points, Rokia Doumbia 15 and Treasure Hunt 14 for the Lady Hawks.
Syndi Harvey led the Lady Eagles with 12 points.
LINESCORES
Boys Game
Hamilton Heights 13 19 14 10 – 56
Brentwood Academy 17 9 14 12 – 52
Hamilton Heights (56) – Nickeil Alexander-Walker 14, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 13, Rawls 4, Massengill, Samake, Therren Shelton-Szmidt 22, Diawara, Panzo 3, Ezeagu.
Brentwood Academy (52) – Darius Garland 26, Lyons 3, Archie, Suedkeum, Jeremiah Oatsvall 11, Schoenwald, Johnson 4, Pierson 8, Pittman.
3-Point Goals – Hamilton Heights 7 (Smidtz 3, Alexander 2, Walker 2), Brentwood Academy 5 (Pierson 2, Garland 2, Lyons 1).
Girls Game
Hamilton Heights 17 21 11 11 – 60
Brentwood Academy 6 19 6 4 – 35
Hamilton Heights (60) – Elizabeth Balogun 18, Treasure Hunt 14, Rokia Doumbia 15, Hickey-White 5, A. Hunt 7, Cordosa 1.
Brentwood Academy (35) – Syndi Harvey 12, Brown 7, Stockhoff 5, Shoenwald 1, Kovick 3, Dial 2, Searcy 5.
3-Point Goals – Hamilton Heights 5 (T. Hunt 2, Doumbia 1, Balogun 1, White 1, Brentwood Academy 1 (Stockhoff).
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and onTwitter @larryfleming44)