The Springfield South Wildcats and Hamilton
Big Blue need no introduction to one another. These team have
a rich history of fantastic games against one another and today at the
University of Dayton
Arena they renewed their rivalry for the
79th time. This time it
was for the right to head to Columbus,
Ohio for the state Final Four as Regional
champions.
For many years the Big Blue and Wildcats
have had great battles, but you only have to go back to January 18th
of this year to get a preview for what the teams had in store for the fans in
this one. That game, held at the
Flyin’ To The Hoop National
Basketball Tournament, was one of the best games of the event.
Hamilton’s
defense was the difference in that game.
South’s shooters had an off game going 2 for 18 from behind the
arch. The Big Blue triumphed in
that matchup 63-52.
Since that game neither team
has lost and many consider this pair of teams the two hottest in the state. Earlier in the tournament the Wildcats
scored 29 points in the first quarter alone and the defeated highly ranked
Cincinnati LaSalle to get to this game.
On the other hand, the Big Blue removed the slipper from Cincinnati
Sycamore’s Cinderella like run in the Regional Semi-final. Between the two, they have been giant
killers and dream crushers and tonight these two fantastic teams are set to
battle for a shot at the ultimate prize in Ohio High School
Basketball.
One of the difference makers against
LaSalle started things off for the Wildcats. Nate Miller who had 15 points and 15
rebounds in the semi-final scored the first bucket of the game. South got a few more baskets in
transition while
Hamilton was having a
hard time protecting the ball.
Coach Allen of Hamilton
called his first timeout at the 5:31
mark. PG Brandon Lampley led the
Big Blue back with some great passes and scoring. By the end of the quarter the teams
seemed evenly matched with South holding a small lead
14-12.
The second quarter seemed to fly by. Both teams applied a lot of defensive
pressure and there were several turnovers, but most noticeable was South’s
shooting. Normally a very good
shooting team, the Wildcats did not hit a single three point shot in the half
(shades of the game at Flyin To
The Hoop). They finished the
half 0 for 6 from behind the arch.
It appeared that the Wildcats may have been feeling the effects of their
battle with LaSalle a few nights ago.
LaSalle pressed the entire game and used their full bench to keep fresh
legs in the game and try to wear down the Wildcats. South was able to withstand the Lancers
pressure, but that game may have had an effect on this game due to strain it
must have taken on South’s players.
Their shooting woes combined with excellent rebounding for
Hamilton gave the Big
Blue a two point lead heading into the half, 24-22.
The third quarter belonged to South
early. At
the 5:15 mark
Nate Miller missed a breakaway layup, but Von Davis was there for a thunderous
slam. That gave South a 29-26 edge
and led to a Big Blue timeout.
Hamilton stormed back and
regained the lead keeping South at bay and regaining the lead. By the end of the third, the Big Blue
led 40-37.
The lead was pushed to six and that’s where
we stood with 35 seconds remaining and South’s ball. The Big Blue came out pressuring Isiah
Carson and South had to look for their second
option. Nate Miller floated out
behind the arch but missed the three.
The Wildcats were then forced to foul and
Hamilton was able to
make their throws at the end.
Hamilton advances to the
OHSAA Final Four by a score of 54-45.
The South Wildcats, who have proven all
year long to be great from behind the arch, failed to hit a single three pointer
in the contest. They finished 0 for
15 behind the arch. That could be
just as much a testimony to the battle the Wildcats had with LaSalle as a result
tired legs as well as a Big Blue defense that applied relentless pressure. However you must give credit to
Hamilton for never
giving the South guards a good look at the basket.
Hamilton executed a near
perfect game plan, making the shooters from South hit from the perimeter and not
allowing Nate Miller to take over the game from the inside. It’s interesting to note that South as a
team shot over 40% from three point land on the season, but in their two games
with Hamilton they combined to go 2
for 33!
Brandon Lampley came up huge for the Big
Blue scoring 16 points, dishing out 4 assist, playing suffocating defense and
running the point all night. The
big man, Jason Miller, pulled down 10 boards for
Hamilton and scored 10
as well. Freshman, Billy Allen,
also had a great night. He scored
12 and solidified himself as one of the best freshman in the state with his
heady play.