Story and photos by
Mike Maddock

Hammond’s Daniel Bailey (#11) drives past Rhodes Amaker (l) and Brandon Gantt for two of his game high 20 points. Bailey also had four rebounds, three assists, and only one turnover. Amaker led Heathwood Hall with 14 points. Gantt added two points.

What makes for a great rivalry? How about two teams in close proximity to each other sharing dramatic finishes, great fans, possible championships, and just a little bit of controversy?

The Hammond Skyhawks traveled to Heathwood Hall Tuesday night February 7 to renew one of the Midlands’ best rivalries. Separated by about three miles of I–77, the athletes from these two schools know if they want championships, they have to go through each other. And if they lose, they know they have to deal with each other for the rest of the year.

The Highlanders needed to beat the Skyhawks to secure the SCISA Region I Class 3A regular season title. But head coach Jimmy Braddock’s Hammond squad had other ideas.

The Skyhawks outlasted the Highlanders 53–45. They were led by the slashing moves of Daniel Bailey, the opportunistic inside play of James English, and the clutch free throw shooting of Stone Pinckney.

Hammond’s James English considers a shot while being defended by Brett Whalen (l) and Odist Harmon. English finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Whalen and Harmon each had eight points for the Highlanders. After eight lead changes, Hammond took a two point lead at the 3:20 mark of the fourth period. The Skyhawks built a four point lead with 2:27 remaining then Heathwood’s Brandon Gantt hit a driving lay–up and things got interesting.

Down by two, Heathwood’s head coach Jeff Whalen called for a full court press. Guard Brett Whalen fouled Hammond’s Nick Theodore, which Theodore took personally. He threw an elbow in Whalen’s direction causing the referee to call a technical foul. The foul was Theodore’s fifth.

Hammond sophomore Stone Pinckney stepped in for Theodore and made two free throws. Heathwood’s Rhodes Amaker then drained the two technical foul shots and drew the Highlanders back within two at 47–45. Because of the technical, Heathwood maintained possession with 53 seconds remaining.

Heathwood Hall’s Aaron–Robinson Cain lays in two of his nine points. But the Highlanders could not convert. Hammond senior captain Phillip Duckett intercepted a Highlander pass and then all the Highlanders could do was foul. The Skyhawks hit eight of 12 free throws down the stretch putting the game out of reach. Stone Pinckney was five for six from the free throw line in the fourth period. Daniel Bailey went two for two in the final minutes and four for four in the game.

Hammond’s Daniel Bailey led all scorers with 20 points. James English added 14, and Wilson McWilliams and Tyler Bailey each finished with six points for the Skyhawks.

Rhodes Amaker led the Highlanders with 14 points. Aaron Robinson–Cain added nine, and Brett Whalen and Odist Harmon each finished with eight points for Heathwood Hall.

The Skyhawks can win a share of the regional title if they beat Ben Lippen Thursday night and Augusta Christian defeats Heathwood Hall. The Highlanders can win the title outright if they defeat Augusta Christian.

Brett Whalen (#11) goes in for a layup against Nick Theodore.

Stone Pinckney was clutch for the Skyhawks hitting five of six free throws late in the final period. He also had two steals and three assists.Kate Burmatnova and the Hammond cheerleaders entertain the Skyhawk fans that traveled to Heathwood Hall.