DALTON, Ga. — Christian Heritage High School senior 6-foot-4 guard Jax Abernathy might as well be known as the Hamilton Heights slayer.
In his final act against the nationally-recognized program that produced one of the NBA's top players in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Abernathy scored 40 points to lead a thrilling 72-70 overtime home victory on Tuesday night.
The win for the Lions was their third straight over the Hawks who, like many, have not found an answer to stopping one of the Peach State's top natural scorers.
Last year Abernathy hit the game-winning shot before the buzzer against Hamilton Heights, while he dropped 53 points against them as a sophomore in a 73-70 victory.
"Hamilton Heights is a nationally-known program, and to have a winning record against them in our career here just shows we can play with anybody," said Abernathy, a Division II signee headed to Trevecca-Navarene in Nashville. "No matter who our opponent is, I believe we can do whatever it takes to win. I am so happy for my team and the way we fought back to win this game in front of a great crowd."
Christian Heritage (6-1) received a heroic effort as well from 6-foot-4 junior Dontae Crowder, who had 11 points and 14 rebounds along with a critical overtime assist to senior Cash Hare to take a 69-66 lead with just over a minute left
Crowder's effort was particularly impressive as he battled in the paint against a pair of towers in the paint for Hamilton Heights in Viktor Mikic (6-foot-11) and Habeeb Yusuf (6-foot-10). Mikic had 11 rebounds in the second half alone and had an offensive rebound leading to a two-handed slam to take a 60-55 lead in the fourth quarter. Yusuf also blocked six shots, including four in the second quarter.
Sophomore Kamai Samuels scored the Hawks' first eight points on his way to a team-high 30 points. Samuels drained four 3-pointers, while his bounce and knack for finishing tough shots in the paint was put on full display with nine made field goals inside the arc.
However, Abernathy was the closer once again as he scored 20 points over the fourth quarter and overtime period. He hit tough mid-range and turnaround shots along with a crowd-pleasing up-and-under layup in the fourth quarter. Still, one of Abernathy's biggest plays of the victory came on the defensive end, as he blocked a shot on the baseline with 25 seconds left in overtime.
Hamilton Heights (8-2) had the ball with the last possession in both the closing moments of the fourth quarter and overtime, but could not come up with the winning play. Cam Andrews hit four 3-pointers and scored 15 in the defeat.
Carter Triplett made 3-pointers to open and close the fourth quarter to help force overtime for the Lions.
"I am so proud of how these guys played and competed," Christian Heritage head coach Tyler Watkins said. "The toughness and physicality they showed was incredible. We kept fighting and fighting.
"This is always an incredible game and these are the types of games and teams you want to play. These wins are what you live for. Jax was incredible tonight. He is just so tough. You can't phaze him or get in his head. He is just a bucket getter."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.