The Hamilton Heights Hawks and Lady Hawks reached posted semifinal victories Friday in the USA Prep national championship tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Coach Zach Ferrell’s Hawks routed National Christian of Ft. Washington, Maryland, by a 91-51 score in another stellar collective performance by the team’s three Canadian seniors who are all headed toward major-college basketball careers.
Coach Keisha Hunt’s Lady Hawks stormed past Life Center Academy of Burlington, New Jersey, 68-38.
Both Hamilton Heights teams now play for championships.
Therren Shelton-Szmidt poured in 29 points, including hitting 6-of-9 3-pointers, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 22 points for the Hawks (29-7).
Szmidt has signed with Middle Tennessee State, Alexander is a future Kentucky Wildcat and Walker decided on Virginia Tech.
The Hawks made a total of 12 3-pointers and Walker hit three.
Hamilton Heights easily built a 59-27 halftime lead and cruised to the easy win.
Elizabeth Balogun scored 18 points, Treasure Hunt had 13 and Kamilla Cardosa added 12 for the Lady Hawks, who built a 35-17 halftime lead.
LINESCORES
Boys
Hamilton Heights 59 32 – 91
National Christian 27 24 – 51
Hamilton Heights (91) – Nickeil Alexander-Walker 22, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 22, Rawls 6, Massengill 4, Edwards 1, Samake 2, Therren Shelton-Szmidt 29, Diawara, Panzo, Jitoboh 2, Ezeagu 3.
National Christian (51) – Paden, Thompson 4, Dawveed 1, Marno, Irwayne Carol 12, Ed Oliver-Hampton 12, Kennedy 7, Lewis 8, McAdoo, Williams 7, Robinson.
3-Point Goals – Hamilton Heights 12 (Szmidt 6, Walker 3, Rawls 2, Alexander 1).
Girls
Hamilton Heights 15 20 14 18 – 68
Life Center Academy 13 4 8 13 – 38
Hamilton Heights (68) – Massengill 6, Elizabeth Balogun 18, Williams, Treasure Hunt 13, R. Balogun, Doumbia 3, Hickey-White 6, A. Hunt 9, Kamilla Cardosa 12.
Life Center Academy (38) – Burnett 2, King 4, Lewis 6, Gardner, McFarlane 2, Imani Lewis 17, Massenat, Smalls7.
3-Point Goals – Hamilton Heights 8 (E. Balogun 2, Hickey-White 2, A. Hunt 2, T. Hunt 1, Massengill 1), Life Center Academy 3 (T. Lewis 2, I. Lewis 1).
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)