East Hamilton Edges East Ridge Behind Brewster, Herman

Hurricanes Hold On To Defeat Pioneers, 66-64

  • Wednesday, February 1, 2023
  • Jacob Robinson

Prior to the game, Andy Webb, East Hamilton’s head coach, talked about East Hamilton’s depth with starters out and sickness plaguing the team.

“It is next man up,” said Webb, a team motto.

And it was next man up for the Hurricanes in a four-quarter battle with the East Ridge Pioneers, as East Hamilton edged out a 66-64 win over the district opponent.

East Hamilton’s Anderson Dawson was the next man up for the night, as the sophomore was inserted into the starting lineup for the second straight game. Tonight, though, Dawson would prove to be an x-factor for the Hurricanes in the second half.

“Tonight was the night to show what he has been doing in practice,” said Ricky Taylor, the East Hamilton assistant coach.

Coming off a back-and-forth first half, Dawson was back on the court in the third quarter. With the Hurricanes trailing, 36-32, Dawson would begin to show flashes of his potential with a contact-riddled layup, spinning the ball with his left hand and off the glass, but into the net. Enough spin, in fact, that the ball grazed the left-edge of the backboard square but sinks through the bucket.

On the following possession, Dawson would drive to the basket and quickly dump a pass off to East Hamilton’s center Zachariah Laboo. Laboo would be fouled on his shot and would make the subsequent free throws.

To no surprise, Hurricane teammates Adarius Brewster and Kaden Herman stepped up to adversity in the second half. With Pioneers’ Tyreese Smith and East Ridge battling for the lead, the East Hamilton duo combined for 16 points in the second half along with a handful of steals. Alongside, rotational players Ben Duffy and Donovan Harris added much-needed points off the bench with multiple 3-pointers and inside-the-paint makes.

The game was still tied deep into the fourth quarter, 56-56, when East Hamilton’s point guard Ashton Munson evaded a half-court trap by throwing a bounce pass between the legs of a Pioneer defender. The recipient was no other than Herman, posted up on the three-point line. Herman would drill the 3-pointer to give the Hurricanes the lead, 59-56.

“With Ashton (Munson), you never really know with him. As soon as he gets the ball on a fast break, I just keep my hands like this because you never really know if he is going to pass it or lay it up,” said Herman with his hands opened over his chest at his shooting pocket.

But Herman and Brewster’s play would have to take another step soon after. With the Hurricanes battling through foul trouble all night, Munson would collect his fifth foul of the night—fouling out.

As soon as Munson grabbed his seat on the bench is when Brewster would collect yet another steal. Collecting the loose ball, Brewster would rise and finish with contact at the rim. It would cap Brewster’s 15-point scoring night.

“All I try to do is go out there and play defense and stay on the court,” said Brewster following the game. “You’re not going to touch the ball every single play, so you need to find way to effect the game without the ball.”

The game was still not over, yet. With the Hurricanes collecting their 14th foul of the second half, foul trouble was at an extreme with Laboo fouling out, the second starter to do so. The Hurricanes were back to the next man up mentality, and yet again Anderson Dawson would step up.

With a minute left in the contest, East Hamilton was clinging to a one-possession lead at 63-60. With the offense moving the ball around to avoid an East Ridge trap, the ball would land in the hands of Dawson who was squared with the basket. All alone on the 3-point line, Dawson raised up and flicked his wrist forward, letting the 3-pointer fly. The shot would sink through the hoop—dagger.

“Anderson (Dawson) has been preparing all season long. He is one of those guys that keep on working and working,” said assistant coach Taylor. “That was time for him to step up. It was a big three that gave us energy and momentum to close out the game. For a sophomore to make that shot, it speaks volumes.”

BOYS SUMMARY

EAST RIDGE                    9          17        22        16        –         64

EAST HAMILTON           12          16        21        17        –         66

 

EAST RIDGE (64) – Tyree Smith 20, Cadion Harris 19 Hasani Jackson 13, Carnes 5, Hamilton 4, Matherly 3.

EAST HAMILTON (66) – Kaden Herman 15, Adarius Brewster 15, Ashton Munson 12, Laboo 7, Harris 6, Duffy 6, Dawson 5.

3-point goals: East Ridge 3 (Harris 2, Carnes); East Hamilton 6 (Herman 3, Harris 2, Dawson).

Records: East Ridge (10-12, 5-5); East Hamilton (18-6, 9-1).

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