Hamilton turns up pressure to beat Edgewood

Big Blue hold Cougars to 11 points in second half in 47-34 win.

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By Bob Ratterman, Contributing Writer 1:47 AM Saturday, December 3, 2011

TRENTON — The Hamilton High School boys basketball team took command in a pivotal third quarter to defeat host Edgewood 47-34 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

Hamilton led 24-23 at the half, but outscored the Cougars 12-3 in the third to extend its lead to double figures (36-26) heading into the final quarter.

“The second half was key,” Hamilton coach Tim Robinson said. “We held them to 11 points in the second half. We wanted to turn up the pressure and that led to a good second half.”

Edgewood coach Aaron Horne acknowledged that pressure as the major factor in the outcome.

“I give Tim and Hamilton a lot of credit,” Horne said. “They forced us into poor decision making and that was a huge factor in the third quarter, causing turnovers.”

Hamilton (1-0) was led in scoring by senior Breon Boyd, the only player in the game in double figures with 10 points. Sophomore Quintin Bailey was close behind with nine points.

Bailey put the Big Blue up 41-26 early in the fourth when he turned a steal into a layup and then drained a 3-pointer moments later.

Robinson said he challenged Bailey at halftime to step up in the second half. He got the results he wanted.

“(Bailey) played well in the second half,” Robinson said. “I felt he used his athleticism well in the second half. He responded well.”

Despite Hamilton’s dominance in the third quarter, Edgewood held the ball for a final shot, hoping to cut into the Big Blue’s eight-point lead. Instead, a missed 3-pointer was turned into a layup at the other end by Hamilton.

Hamilton led 9-6 after one quarter and the two teams played even in the second with the Cougars holding the lead several times.

“We were more patient in the first half and got better shots,” Horne said. “In the second half, they forced us into some things we were not looking to do.”

Edgewood (0-1) was led in scoring by sophomore Ben Truster with nine, while a trio of players — senior Steven Sherlock, junior Chance Conley and junior Cody Hall — finished with five each. Hall’s 10 rebounds led both teams.

“As a staff, we felt (our players) left it all out on the floor,” Horne said. “We’ve got plenty to work to do down the road ahead. We need to coach them to make better decisions.”

Hamilton returns to the floor tonight at Springfield tonight, while Edgewood returns to action next Friday night at Harrison.

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