The Hamlet and Rockingham boys’ basketball teams continued their undefeated starts with a pair of wins on Thursday.
Capping the week with their second respective wins, the Red Rams and Rockets both improved to 6-0. The two cross-county rivals are set to meet on Feb. 7.
Red Rams cruise past Anson
Hamlet traveled to Anson Middle School and defeated the Bearcats 40-21. Head coach Keith Parsons said Amer Morrison “continues to lead the way for us, and today was no exception.”
Morrison scored 14 points, added five assists and Parsons said helped coordinate “one of our best defensive efforts of the season.”
Evan Hodges chipped in 13 points, including a three-pointer and eight points in the second half.
Zamarion Robinson scored five points and Adrion Pore made his first career three-pointer for his three points. Terande Spencer came up big on the boards with 10 rebounds and two points.
A.J. James (2 points) and Dougie Dickerson (1 point) rounded out the scoring for Hamlet.
The Red Rams jumped ahead 12-6 at the end of the first quarter and extended that lead to 18-8 at the half.
Hamlet used an 8-4 run in the third and closed the game by adding 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Red Rams host Cordova Middle School on Monday at 5 p.m.
Rockets blast past East Hoke
Also playing on the road, Rockingham stayed perfect with a 42-21 win against East Hoke.
Jayden Hamilton paced the Rockets with 18 points, while teammate Domonic Tillman netted double digits with 10 points.
Five other players found the basket for Rockingham: Chance Crowder (5 points), Keonta Pegues (3 points), Brian Hinson (3 points), Kamari Liles (2 points) and Andrea Streeter (1 point).
Head coach Julius Bowden explained “it was a competitive game for the most part. Brian Hinson hit a three-pointer to help us extend the lead in the fourth. That was the spark we needed to help us close out the game.”
The Rockets took an 11-6 lead in the first quarter thanks to a pair of threes from Hamilton. Ten more points in the second period gave Rockingham a 21-13 lead. Tillman had five of his points in the first half.
A 7-2 run by the Rockets opened their lead in the third, using five points from Hamilton and two from Tillman. A 14-point fourth quarter by the visitors, including Hinson’s triple, outscored the Eagles down the stretch.
Rockingham will play at Sandy Grove Middle School on Monday at 5 p.m.
Note: Coach Keith Parsons and Coach Julius Bowden contributed stats and info to this article. No other scores were reported at the time of publication. To report scores, email kpillar@richmondobserver.com.
