Hamilton Heights’ Ezekiel Balogun dunks on Baylor’s Kyle Johnston during the Hawks’ championship win Monday at the Times Free Press Best of Preps basketball tournament at Chattanooga State Community College.With a chance to make a statement in front of a packed gym at Chattanooga State Community College, the Hamilton Heights boys’ basketball team wasted no time in doing just that. The Hawks raced out to a dominant start and on to a 70-37 victory over Baylor for the Times Free Press Best of Preps tournament championship Monday night.
With a starting lineup of four players standing 6-foot-6 or taller, Hamilton Heights opened the game with a 14-0 run and at one point had forced more turnovers from Baylor (4) than the Red Raiders had shot attempts (3). The Hawks’ length also affected numerous Baylor shots, if not as blocks then awkward misses.
“Our coaches told us that they are a good outside-shooting team, so we wanted to press them and come out strong and get going early,” said junior post and tournament most valuable player Abdulhakim Ado, whose 10 points included nine in the first half and four dunks. “People were saying a lot of negative things about us, that we’re overrated and things like that, so we came out to prove them wrong.”
The Hawks (14-1) extended their commanding halftime lead with a 22-5 third quarter, then coasted through the final period for the win in their first appearance in the annual holiday tournament.
“We’re very excited and grateful just to get to compete in this tournament, and to leave as champions is even more awesome,” Hawks coach Zach Ferrell said. “Our kids were very focused right from the start to prove themselves. We had good energy and intensity, and our defense really got us going.”
Four Hamilton Heights players scored in double figures, led by Ezekiel Balogun with 13 points. Joan Duran and Strahinja Micakovic matched Ado with 10 each.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.