Fast start leads Hampton past Highlands in key section clash
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Tuesday, January 2, 2024 | 10:19 PM
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates after scoring during the first quarter against Highlands on Tuesday at Hampton.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer shoots over Highlands’ Jordyn Tavarez during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s Alex Nyilas celebrates a three-pointer against Highlands on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s Alex Nyilas works against Highlands’ Cam Reigard during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates after hitting a three-pointer against Highlands on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s Liam Mignogna battles Highlands’ Bradyn Foster for a rebound during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s AJ Prodente pressures Highlands’ Cam Reigard during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s Robert Coll drives past Highlands’ Thomas Callender during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Highlands’ Jordyn Tavarez drives past Hampton’s Liam Mignogna (20) and AJ Prodente during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer shoots over Highlands’ Jordyn Tavarez during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s Liam Mignogna plays against Highlands on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Highlands’ Bradyn Foster drives between Hampton’s Liam Mignogna (20) and Alex Nyilas during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer shoots a 3-pointer over Highlands’ Jordyn Tavarez during their game Tuesday at Hampton.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates after scoring against Highlands on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Hampton.
Sometimes games are decided by a fourth-quarter run, but Hampton showed Tuesday that the first few minutes can be just as crucial.
Hampton scored the game’s first 11 points, built an early lead and then relied on its defense for a 49-41 victory over Highlands in a low-scoring section opener where the host Talbots never trailed. Hampton scored on its first five possessions, quickly solving a triangle-and-two defense that Highlands had hoped would cause some trouble.
“We were just trying to change something up, catch them off guard and see what it did for us,” Highlands coach Corey Dotchin said. “It just didn’t work the way we wanted it to.”
There were still three and a half quarters remaining, but the slow start had Highlands in an early hole it never escaped. Hampton led by nine points at half and 11 entering the fourth quarter.
The Talbots never pulled away — the largest lead was 15 points just after halftime — but the 11-0 run gave them a comfortable cushion throughout. They also started the second quarter with a 7-0 run.
“We were able to get off to a good start and a nice lead,” Hampton coach Joe Lafko said. “We took advantage of what they were doing. … Our guys ended up getting some night slip cuts and some nice passes back toward the middle.”
A tough shooting night also hurt Highlands, which missed 10 of its first 12 shots. The Rams made only 35% from the field (18 for 52), including 4 of 18 from 3-point range.
The Rams made just two shots in the first seven minutes.
“I thought we had some decent shots that just didn’t go,” Dotchin said. “We also had some defensive miscues that hurt us. But that was a big jump start for them to get their guys some confidence, especially playing at home.”
The win gives Hampton (8-2, 1-0) an early edge over Highlands (5-4, 0-1) in the Section 1-4A standings. The teams rematch Jan. 26 at Highlands.
Lehigh commit Peter Kramer led Hampton with 16 points, including 10 in the first quarter. Alex Nyilas had 13 points and Liam Mignogna added 12.
Jordyn Tavarez led Highlands with 13 points and Bradyn Foster had 10.
Highlands’ defensive decision played a part in Hampton’s quick start. The Rams typically use a man-to-man defense but decided to start in a triangle-and-two. However, Highlands scrapped that idea less than four minutes into the game.
“We’re not a junk defense team,” Dotchin said. “We’re rarely a zone team. So sometimes when we switch things on guys, it’s tough to adjust just because they’re not used to it. Us as a coaching staff talked about it and we gave it a shot.
“(After the first few minutes), we just told them to get back to being us. They calmed down a little bit, got back to doing things they’re used to doing every day and we were able to claw back a little bit and make it a game.”
Hampton led 16-10 after the first quarter, when Kramer made a pair of 3-pointers. The Talbots led 25-16 at half. A pair of third-quarter 3-pointers by Nyilas helped the Talbots entered the fourth with a 37-26 lead.
Hampton shot 46% from the field (18 for 40) and went 5 for 15 from beyond the arc. The fast start certainly was a boost for the Talbots, who are familiar with facing a number of junk defenses.
Hampton opened with layups by Mignogna and Robert Coll before Kramer made a 3-pointer and then finished off an alley-oop. Another layup by Mignogna put Hampton ahead 11-0 with 4:45 left in the first.
“We have an offense prepared for a triangle-and-two,” Lafko said. “We have an offense prepared for a box-and-one. I thought our kids did a good job of executing against that early on.”
Hampton’s lead was down to single digits late in the fourth quarter. A put-back basket by Foster had the Rams within five points with 16 seconds left, but they got no closer.
“I thought our kids played defense pretty well throughout the game,” Lafko said. “That was one of our keys. Highlands has some capable scorers, and I thought our defensive effort was pretty good.”
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
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