RAEFORD — When the Hamlet Middle School boys’ basketball team traveled to West Hoke Middle School on Thursday, it was looking to keep its perfect season intact.
Unfortunately for head coach Keith Parsons and the Red Rams, they suffered their first loss to the Tigers. Hamlet would fall 40-23 to West Hoke.
An uncharacteristically low scoring performance by Hamlet (3-1), Tristan Wall was the team’s leading scorer with six points. Point guard JV Drake, who had 17 points three days earlier, managed to put up just five points against the Tigers.
Other scorers for Hamlet were David McNair (4 points), Amer Morrison (3 points), Lareese Swinnie (3 points) and Jamerson Walton (2 points).
“We obviously struggled offensively for the entire game,” Parsons commented. “Credit goes to West Hoke. They completely took us out of what we like to do on offense.
“West Hoke did a great job of beating our press and controlling the pace of the game, particularly in the second half,” he added.
Entering the game, Hamlet had been averaging 47.6 points per contest, and the Tigers’ defense cut that average in half.
Early on, Hamlet kept with West Hoke, taking a 14-13 lead into the halftime break. The Red Rams scored seven points in each of the first two quarters, starting with three-pointers from Drake and Morrison, along with a free throw from Swinnie in the opening 10 minutes.
Swinnie and Wall each added a field goal in the second quarter, while McNair knocked in a pair of free throws. Adding the other point was Drake from the line.
The troubles for Hamlet began in the third quarter when the Red Rams were outscored 10-2. Scoring the only points in the third for Hamlet was Walton on a field goal.
In the final stanza, leading 23-16, the Tigers kept pace and outscored Hamlet 17-7 down the stretch. Wall and McNair hit shots from the floor, and Wall capped his scoring performance with two made shots from the charity stripe. Drake also tacked on a free throw.
Parsons and the Red Rams will return to action next Thursday at home against Carver Middle School. Opening tip is expected for 5:15 p.m.
