HAMLET — Hamlet boys’ basketball coach Keith Parsons credited his team’s collective efforts in Thursday’s Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference game Anson Middle School.
Returning to their home court after suffering a loss to rival Rockingham Middle School on Tuesday, the Red Rams rolled past the Bearcats 55-31 to return to the win column.
Staying hot from three-point land, Hamlet netted eight of its 18 three-point attempts (44 percent), setting a new season-high as a team. Eighth grade point guard JV Drake led the team in scoring with 16 points, while also connecting on all four of his three-point attempts.
“Nice to bounce back from a tough loss Tuesday to Rockingham with a total team effort,” Parsons said. “JV again was electric offensively, and David McNair reacted to a minor change in his role with his best game of the year.”
McNair, who Parsons said was moved from wing to power forward, was right behind Drake on the scoresheet with 12 points. Drake scored 14 first-half points, as McNair added two three-balls, one in each half.
Also contributing in the win was Jordan Bostick with eight points, Jason Walker added six points, Zach Gardner netted five points, and Jay Hamilton, Toby McInnis, Amer Morrison and Lareese Swinnie all chipped in with two points apiece.
On defense, the Red Rams (5-2) forced 41 turnovers against the Bearcats.
“Jordan Bostick, who likely has improved more than anyone on our team this season, took advantage of his first start with his season-high in points,” Parsons said.
Hamlet took a 16-10 lead after the first quarter, using two triples each from Bostick and Drake. Hamilton and McNair both hit a field goal to maintain the early lead.
The second quarter proved to be a difference maker for the Red Rams, as they used a 20-4 run to extend their advantage. Hamlet’s defense held the Bearcats to a bucket and two free throws in the second 10-minute stanza.
Drake hit another three and led the team with seven points in the second. McNair added his first shot from downtown, along with a field goal and a free throw. Walker scored two field goals as Bostick added two more points to his total.
At the halftime buzzer, the Red Rams led 36-14.
Hamlet kept the pressure on in the second half, scoring 11 points in the third and eight more in the fourth. The Red Rams spread the scoring around, seeing Gardner lead second-half scorers with five points.
McNair added the team’s final three-pointer in the third, as McInnis and Swinnie helped closed the game with a basket each in the fourth quarter.
“We’ll enjoy this one tonght and start preparing for Cordova at practice Friday,” Parsons closed.
The Red Rams will travel to in-county opponent Cordova Middle School on Monday to face the Cavaliers (4-2) around 5 p.m.
