Hamilton Heights’ girls defeated host Mercy Academy in a cakewalk, 75-35, to wrap up their impressive effort in the Raatz/O’Shea’s Classic in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Lady Hawks (18-2) were led by Elizabeth Balogun’s 19 points and Treasure Hunt added 16 points. Esmery Martinez had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Kamilla Cardosa scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Jazmine Massengill finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Balogun and Massengill were named McDonald’s All-Americans earlier in the week.
The Lady Hawks built a 35-26 halftime lead and then put the game away with a 28-5 blitz in the third quarter.
Coach Keisha Hunt’s squad will return to action by hosting Legacy Charter, out of Greenville, S.C., on Friday at 6 p.m. at the team’s on-campus gym on Friday.
Speaking of home, the boys’ team hosted Knoxville Christian and had little trouble in posting a 99-55 victory, racing to a quick 35-14 lead after one quarter behind Kevaughn Ellis’ three 3-pointers.
The Hawks (13-4) outscored the Knights 26-8 as inside threats Jason Jitoboh and Uros Plasvic combined for 14 points.
Jordan Rawls paced the Hawks with 17 points and six assists while Ellis and Plasvic each finished with 16. Rawls and Ellis each knocked down four 3s – the Hawks collectively made 13 – and Plasvic grabbed 16 rebounds. Jitoboh scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds and Wheza Panzo had 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
The Hawks travel to Bristol, Virginia, on Monday for the FCA Classic and will be a strong Teay’s Valley team from Huntington, W.Va., and will be at home on Friday against Legacy Charter.
Boxscores
Girls Game
Hamilton Heights 19 16 18 22 – 75
Mercy Academy 12 14 5 14 – 45
Hamilton Heights (75) – Jazmine Massengill 10, Elizabeth Balgoun 19, R. Balogun, Treasure Hunt 16, Rodriguez, Smith, P. Martinez, Kamilla Cardosa 14, Esmery Martinez 14, Manzano 2.
Mercy Academy (45) – Shorter 3, Jenks 6, Shepherd 3, Reese, Sivori 7, Regan Berger 12, Paige Taylor 10, Crippin, Rivette.
3-Point Goals – Hamilton Heights 3 (Hunt 2, E. Balogun 1), Mercy Academy 6 (Berger 2, Taylor 2, Sivori 1, Shepherd 1).
Boys Game
Knoxville Christian 14 15 8 18 – 55
Hamilton Heights 35 16 26 22 – 99
Knoxville Christian (55) – Minor, Freeman 5, Momen Hassan 16, Thue 2, Jai Jordan 10, Reaves 8, Tim Thomas Jr., 14.
Hamilton Heights (99) – Kevaughn Ellis 16, Farrar, Jordan Rawls 17, Wheza Panzo 10, Edwards 9, Gilgeous-Alexander 3, Ambrose 5, Ruzhentsev 5, LeGuenne 6, Jason Jitoboh 12, Uros Plasvic 16.
3-Point Goals – Knoxville Christian 6 (Jordan 2, Thomas 2, Hassan 1, Freeman 1), Hamilton Heights 13 (Ellis 4, Rawls 4, LeGuenne 2, Panzo 1, Ambrose 1, Ruzhentsev 1).
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)