A Tough Loss....

12/16/2016

Hamden Hall, playing away from home against Green Farms Academy, let one get away-69-65.

The Hornets played an outstanding first half, holding one of the pre-season’s favorites to win the Fairchester League, to 26 first half points.

The Dragons came out with a “box and one” on Co-Captain and Senior Guard TJ Rountree and the Hornets were prepared for it.

Co-Captain Senior Center Dan Draffan scored 10 points and even with the defense centered around Rountree, TJ. still managed to score 10 points as well. Vin Baker Jr. added 8 points and Hamden Hall rolled to a 41 to 26 half time score.

But it takes two half’s to win a basketball game and the second half belonged to GFA and their 3 point shooting.

As long as I have been coaching, “the first three minutes of the second half are the most important”. They set the tone for the remainder of the game. We simply didn’t defend the 3 point shot as GFA made 8 of 10 shots from 3 point range including a 11 -0 run at the beginning of the second half.

The score was now 41-38 and GFA no longer had their heads hung low and believed they could win the game. They relished in the comeback and played like they knew that winning was within their reach.

The Hornets regrouped and began to show the skill that led them in the first half by maintaining a lead until 2minutes to go when GFA went up by one.

With a minute and 5 seconds to go and Hamden Hall now up 63 to 61 and on the foul line with two shots and as faith would have it missed them both.

Green Farms grabbed the rebound and took advantage when it hit a 3 to take a one point lead 64 to 63 with 45 seconds showing on the clock. Hamden Hall came back to score a basket to take a 65 to 64 lead, but GFA was not to be denied, a missed shot, but a long rebound back and the second shot for 3 at the basket was good and now the score was 67-65 Green Farms.

Hamden Hall set up a play with 10 seconds left that failed and GFA was fouled and converted for a final score of 69-65. It was a tough loss for the Hornets, who hadn’t beaten their opponent at their gym in 5 years.

A Hostile Crowd, Local Referees and Playing Away from Home are all part of the Game .

Hopefully this was a learning experience as the schedule continues to be difficult.

We travel to Florida today to play in the National Kreul Showcase in Coral Springs .

Box Score:

Draffan-7-1-1-18 pts, TJ.Rountree-3-3-0/2-15-pts,Baker-7-0-1/1-15 pts,Rice-1-1-0-5 pts,C.Wrighht-2-0-1/3-3 pts,Villano-0-1-0-3pts,Brown-0-1-0-3 pts, A.Rountree-0-0-1/4-1 pt.

20-7-4/11-65

Leading Scorer-Draffan-18 pts

Leading Rebounder-Rice-8

Leading Blocks-Draffan-3

Leading Assists-Brown and Rice-5 each

Leading Steals-TJ.Rountree-3

Record

4-2 (2-2)

The Weather in Florida is expected to be warm, let’s hope some rubs off on the Hornets.

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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.