Hornets Lose Heartbreaker 59-55

3/3/2016

Hamden Hall, the 8th seed, gave the number one seed St. Luke’s (27-1) all they could handle in a Quarter Final match of the New England Championships.

This was a game that could have gone to either team as it wasn’t decided until the final 8 seconds.

At the opening tip-off, St Luke’s came out quickly and took a 7-2 lead and kept the lead with 8 minutes to go in the half 17-12 when 6’7 Dan Draffan was inserted into the line-up. He hadn’t played due to breaking a team rule.

Dan was playing against Walter Whyte, the 6’7 top 100 recruit, although someone forgot to tell Dan, who scored 10 of his game high 25 points. In the first half his offense was supported with Andrew Rice’s 8 points and Michael DiMartino 6 points (and a perfect 4 for 4 from the charity stripe) and the score at half time was 26 to 24 Hamden Hall.

The second half the Hornet defense kept the Storm off balance as both teams traded baskets and no more than 4 points ever separated either team.

With two minutes to go Hamden Hall was leading by 4 points and the upset was within reach. Andrew Rice, who had been a defensive thorn, had scored 10 points and grabbed 8 boards, committed his 5^th foul and his play would be missed in the final minutes.

St. Luke’s is a very good team thus the number one seed caused a turnover that led to a basket and the score was now tied. It remained that way until 15 seconds left in the game when they hit a long three making the score 58-55.

The Hornets called time out to set up a play. The Storm had a foul to give, and did, as the clock now read 8 seconds left in regulation. A shot was missed and St. Luke’s was fouled making one of two shots with 3 seconds left in the contest.

A long shot at the buzzer was wide and the win was St. Luke’s and the end of the season for the Hornets of Hamden Hall.

5’10 Senior Michael DiMartino played an outstanding game with his all-round play.

6’7 Junior Dan Draffan gave everyone a possible view of next year playing his finest game in a Hornet uniform scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and held his opponent, who is ranked in the country, to 6 points.

This was a tough loss, but the boys played well and we are proud of them for their effort and hustle.

It was a game that could have finished in our favor, but the ball doesn’t always bounce the way you want it to.

Box Score:

Draffan-9-0-7/8-25 pts. DiMartino-3-1-4/7-13 pts, Rice-4-0-2/6-10 pts, T.J. Rountree-2-0-1/2-5 pts, Smith-0-0-2/2-2 pts, Williams-0-0-0, Wright-0-0-0, A. Rountree-0-0-0

18-1—16/25-55

Leading Scorer-Draffan-25

Leading Rebounder-Draffan-15

Leading Assists-DiMartino-4

Leading Steals-T.J. Rountree-4

Record

16-10

It was the last game for Seniors Tri-Captain, Michael Di Martino Tri-Captain, Kyle Smith, Kevin Johns and Kyle Williams.

They will be missed for their effort and attitude and for thinking of the team and not personal glory.

We wish them well.

The Season has ended………

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1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org

Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.