Hamden Hall Notches League Win at Rye Country Day 75-58

2/9/2017

Playing at Rye Country Day throughout the years has never been easy task for the Hornets.

The “soft” rims, the size of the court, adjusting to the out of State Officials and being away from Home has seemed to have been a roadblock to victory in the past.

In the early minutes of the game, it appeared that the same conditions were again evident as both teams traded baskets and kept the score close.

Mid-way through the first half the full court pressure by the Hornets began to change the tempo of the game as Hamden Hall was gaining control.

6’7 Junior Vin Baker Jr. hit two consecutive threes to put Hamden Hall up 8 points 22 to 14.

Rye answered with a three point play to get the score to 22 to 17.

Playing with a 30 second shot clock and two minutes left in the first half, it was clear with the ongoing Hornet pressure,that Rye had problems setting up their offense.

This combined with Hamden Hall controlling both backboards, kept the Wildcats from making a serious run.

6’3 Junior Andrew Rice,who made his presence known with his defense and offensive rebounding, made two consecutive three point plays to make the score 28 to 17.

A 10-0 run, just before the half, led by Vin Baker Jr., hitting two baskets and 6’4 Junior Chris Wright and 6’2 Senior TJ Rountree each scoring from beyond the three point arch to a half time score of 38 to 21 Hamden Hall.

Vin Baker Jr. and Andrew Rice each had 13 points in the first half of play.

I have often said the “first three minutes of the second half “ are the most important. They are a key to the “tempo and rhythm” of the game.

Sure enough Rye came out strong and outscored the Hornets 11 to 2 in the first three minutes of the second half to make the score 40 to 32.

After a Hamden Hall time out, we began altering the defense from Man to Man to Different Zones. It was a confusing factor that effected and rushed the shot selection of our opponent.

Often it is a game of “runs” by either team and if and when it happens, creates the issue for the team ahead or behind to adjust accordingly.

The Hornets pushed the lead back up to 54 to 40, only to have Rye come back to cut the Hornet lead and the score now stood 59 to 51 with six and half minutes left in the game.

But Hamden Hall was not to be denied of this Key League Win and didn’t allow the Wildcats to get any closer with a 10-0 run led by TJ Rountree, Andrew Rice, Vin Baker and Dan Draffan.

The score was now 69 to 51 and the game was out of reach for Rye.

It should be noted that 6’3 Junior Andrew Rice had an outstanding game at both ends of the court with a double/double scoring 21 points, grabbing 11 rebounds,3 steals,and 2 blocks.

While holding Rye’s leading scorer Allan Houston Jr. (Yes the Son of the Former NY. Knick) to a Season Low of 12 points.

Vin Baker Jr. led all scorers with 22 points (9 in the second half) as the Hornets won their Eighth League game and tighten their third place position over Master’s and Brunswick

Box Score:

Baker-5-3-3/5-22 pts.Rice-7-0-7/8-21 pts. TJ Rountree-4-1-1/1-12 pts. Draffan-3-0-2/2-8 pts.C.Wright-1-1-0-5 pts. Villano-0-1-0-3 pts. A.Rountree-1-0-0/2-2 pts.Pettway-0-0-2/2-2pts. Brown-0-0-0,M.Wright-0-0-0,Walters-0-0-0,Schoomaker-0-0-0

21-6-15/20-75 pts.

Leading Scorer-Baker-22 pts.

Leading Rebounder- Rice-11

Leading Assists-TJ.Rountree-6

Leading Steals-Rice-3

Leading Blocks-Draffan and Rice -2 each.

Record

14-5 (8-3)

Next up at Home is Brunswick, a team we did beat 68 to 62.

It is another opportunity to secure our position in the League Standing prior to the Seeding of the Playoffs.

The Season Continues……

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