Cousins Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sparked Hamilton Heights’ strong second half Thursday night as the Hawks pulled away to beat Memphis East 72-64 in a prep basketball game televised by ESPN2.
Walker, a Virginia Tech signee, led the Hawks with a game-high 23 points, including 16 in the second half when he made four 3-pointers. Alexander, a Kentucky signee, added 18 points and he tallied 10 after the halftime break.
The Hawks (4-1) dealt the East High Mustangs their first loss in five games.
Sophomore Jordan Rawls and Middle Tennessee State signee Therren Shelton-Szmidt each scored nine points. Rawls, who transferred to Hamilton Heights from Ooltewah, made three clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter when the Hawks held off a Mustangs rally.
The Hawks immediately left Memphis and headed for the Marshall County Hoopfest in Kentucky.
Alexander added seven defensive rebounds, seven assists and two steals slashed the East defense with power drives to the rim without committing a turnover.
Kaosi Ezeagu also had seven rebounds and Wheza Panzo pulled down six boards.
Alex Lomax paced East with 16 points, with 12 coming in the second half, and T.J. Moss added 14 points that included three of the Mustangs’ four 3-pointers.
Summary
Hamilton Heights 18 10 24 20 – 72
Memphis East 9 18 12 25 – 64
Hamilton Heights (72) – Nickeil Alexander-Walker 23, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 18, Jordan Rawls 9, Massengill, Edwards, Shelton-Szmidt 9,Diawara 2, Panzo 6, Jitoboh 3, Ezeagu 2.
Memphis East (64) – Merriweather, T.J. Moss 14, Alex Lomax 16, Chandler Lawson 20, Collum 2, Washington 7, Hardaway 2, Dandridge 2.
3-Point Goals – Hamilton Heights 10 (Walker 5, Rawls 3, Szmidt 1), Memphis East 4 (Moss 3, Lomax 1).
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)