Story and photos
by Mike Maddock

James English led Hammond over Ben Lippen with 20 points. Call it February Frenzy or Valentine’s Volatility because it’s too early for March Madness, but regardless of the name, it is tournament time for high school basketball. Eight teams gathered together at Hammond School’s Upper Gym Tuesday, February 14 to fight for a shot at the SCISA Region II Class AAA tournament title.

On the girls’ side, second seed Cardinal Newman took on fifth seed Heathwood Hall. Third seed Ben Lippen battled host team and fourth seed Hammond. The winners of those two games will play each other February 16 for a chance at the title and number one seed Augusta Christian.

The boys got started with number two seed Hammond and fifth seed Ben Lippen. In the final game of the night, third seed Cardinal Newman played fourth seed Augusta Christian. Like the girls, the winners of those two games will play each other February 16 for a chance at the title and number one seed Heathwood Hall.

Game 1: (2) Cardinal

Newman Lady Cardinals vs. (5)Heathwood Hall Lady Highlanders

Cardinal John Wilson (r) drives to the basket around the Lions’ Tyler Bourdo. The Lady Cardinals spotted the Highlanders a five point lead early in the game but then went on a 15–5 run to close the first period. They would lead Heathwood Hall by as much as 19 points late in the fourth period, but a furious 9–0 run by the Highlanders during the final two minutes of the game made the final outcome 45–35. The Cardinals move on to face the Hammond Lady Skyhawks Thursday, February 16 at 6 pm.

The Lady Cardinals were led by one senior, a trio of sophomores, and one freshman. Sophomore Samantha August led all scorers with 15 points. Fellow sophomores Jamie Shaw and Callie Kucharskie added nine points. Senior Laura Regan finished with nine points as well and freshman Tori August scored four points for Cardinal Newman.

Sophomore Marchant Couick and junior Sara Davis led the last minute comeback attempt for Heathwood Hall finishing with 14 and six points respectively. Freshman Kristen Dickerson added eight points, and fellow freshman Arayel Brandner scored four points for the Highlanders.

Samantha August (middle) led Cardinal Newman with 15 points.

Game 2: (2) Hammond

Skyhawks vs. (5) Ben

Lippen Falcons

James English scored eight of his game high 20 points in the fourth period to lead Hammond in an improbable comeback over a well–coached squad from Ben Lippen. The Falcons scored the game’s first five points and led the Skyhawks by as much as 12 late into the third period but could not hold on giving Hammond a 42–40 victory. The Skyhawks move on to face Augusta Christian Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 pm.

Skyhawk sophomore stand–out Daniel Bailey sank a three–pointer at the four–minute mark of the final period to cut the Falcon lead to 37–35. He finished the night with ten points. But it was English’s conventional three–point play that gave the Skyhawks their first lead of the game with 3:43 remaining. Tyler Bailey added six points for Hammond.

Hammond’s Daniel Bailey (r) goes for the block on Falcon Philip Deter’s lay–up attempt. The Falcons had one final chance with 9.4 seconds remaining in the game, but they passed on an open three–pointer for one extra pass attempt into the paint that was deflected. Junior David Pascutti led the Falcons with 11 points. Senior Chandler Culbertson and junior Philip Deter each finished with eight points. Eighth grader Mitchell Deter added seven points, and senior Matt Heaton scored six points for Ben Lippen.

Game 3: (3) Ben Lippen Lady Falcons vs. (4)

Hammond Lady Skyhawks

Margaret Clay hit two three pointers and went four for four from the free throw line in the fourth period helping the Lady Skyhawks to a 41–28 victory over Ben Lippen. Clay led Hammond with 14 points.

The Skyhawks scored the game’s first eight points and did not allow the Falcons to score a basket until 1:30 was left in the first period. Despite getting a game–high 15 points from Julianna Smith and eight from Lolly Christy, the Falcons could never get closer than six points and trailed by as many as 16.

Hammond’s Margaret Clay is guarded by Ben Lippen’s Lillian White. Hammond senior Sarah Parker Mounce scored six of her nine points in the fourth period. Sophomore Lauren Smith returned from an injury entering the game late in the third period and finishing with five points. Sophomores Ali Hymson and Callie Peele added four points each for the Skyhawks. The Skyhawks move on to face Cardinal Newman Thursday, February 16 at 6 pm.

Game 4: (3) Cardinal

Newman Cardinals vs. (4) Augusta Christian Lions

The Cardinals scored the first six points of their game with the Augusta Christian Lions. The problem was the Lions scored the next nine and went on to a 56–43 victory.

Sophomore Cardinal Jordan Willett scored ten of his 12 points in the first period, but Augusta Christian’s Nolan Belcher answered with a trio of three–pointers and a couple of free throws of his own before the start of the second period. The Cardinals stayed within three with 1:37 left in the first half, but the Lions closed with a 9–4 run giving them a 28–20 halftime advantage.

Heathwood’s Marchant Couick (#21) guards Cardinal Jamie Shaw. Augusta Christian led by 13 early in the fourth period. Junior John Wilson scored nine of his 12 points in the second half to keep the Cardinals within striking distance. His conventional three–point play and driving lay–up cut the lead to six twice, but that is as close as the Cardinals would get. Michael Nerbun was a force inside for Cardinal Newman scoring many of his 12 points off second chance opportunities.

Ben Lippen’s Julianna Smith goes for two of her 15 points. Hammond’s Tyler Bailey drives around Ben Lippen’s Aaron Emard.