Saturday, January 27, 2001
Hamilton 59, Colerain 39
By Carey Hoffman
Enquirer contributor
Brandon Beigel shoots for Colerain.
(Mike Simon photo)
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HAMILTON — When Hamilton went on a run to the Division I regional semifinals last season, it was a surprise. A repeat performance this year shouldn't be.
The Big Blue are headed into February on a roll after a 59-39 victory over Colerain in a Greater Miami Conference game Friday night.
Hamilton is 11-3 and 10-1 in the GMC and is tied for first place in the league with Oak Hills. It shut down a Colerain team that came into the game on a three-game winning streak.
Compared to where it was a year ago at this time, when it had a sub-.500 record, Hamilton is “really right now doing a lot more,” Big Blue coach Larry Allen said. “Defensively, we can get after it.”
Hamilton, switching defenses every second or third possession, was credited with 14 steals and forced 20 Colerain turnovers. Its quickness also seemed to make Colerain's shooters rush, and the Cardinals made only 34 percent of their shots.
“Most of the time, our defense tries and plays pretty intense. Our offense feeds off our defense,” said Hamilton junior forward Nate Rusbosin, who totaled 12 points, four rebounds, two blocked shots and six steals.
Jonathan Daft led Colerain with 13 points.
Rusbosin made a pair of 3-pointers for Hamilton's first two baskets of the second half. Each answered three-point possessions from Colerain and delivered the message that Hamilton wasn't going to give up its 24-14 halftime lead.
“Coach Allen told us at halftime our shots would fall in the second half,” Rusbosin said. Hamilton, usually a strong 3-point shooting team, was just 1-of-7 from behind the arc in the first half. In the second half, Hamilton was 5-of-7 on 3-point attempts.
Josh Andrews made six of his nine shots, including three of five 3-point attempts, to lead Hamilton with 15 points. He also had six rebounds and four steals.
But Friday, Rusbosin was the player who best personified Hamilton's style. “What a great year he is having,” Allen said. “He doesn't score as much as some other guys but helps us in so many other phases of the game.”
The first half turned into a showcase for Hamilton's defensive prowess. The Big Blue held the Cardinals to just one field goal in the final 6:52 of the half. During that stretch, Hamilton had five steals and blocked a shot, and it limited Colerain to just 28 percent shooting in the half.
Hamilton is unbeaten at home this season and appears headed for a showdown at home with Oak Hills on Feb.9 for the GMC title. Oak Hills won the first game between the teams 67-47, but Hamilton has won six of its seven games since.
COLERAIN (39) — Walther 1 0 3, Davis 1 0 2, Ferris 2 3 7, Finney 1 0 2, Daft 5 3 13, Lies 1 0 2, Sinclair 1 0 2, Monaghan 4 0 8. Totals: 16-45 4-10 39.
HAMILTON (59) — Andrews 6 0 15, Underwood 1 5 7, Morris 0 2 2, Jackson 2 2 6, Smith 5 0 10, Rusbosin 3 4 12, Williams 1 0 2, Ballinger 2 0 5. Totals: 20-44 13-20 59.
Colerain ....... 8 6 14 11—39
Hamilton ....... 12 12 19 16—59
3-point goals: C - Walther, Daft 3; H - Andrews 3, Rusbosin 2, Ballinger. Records: C 9-6 (6-5 GMC), H 11-3 (10-1 GMC).
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Hamilton 59, Colerain 39