When Hamilton Heights needs offense, it looks to three players – all juniors – that crossed the Canadian-United States border to play basketball for the Hawks.
The threesome of Nickeil Walker, Shai Alexander and Therren Szmidt combined for 49 points and led once-beaten Hamilton Heights to a 65-62 victory over 22 Feet Academy on Saturday in the Legacy Nissan Classic at North Laurel High School in London, Ky.
Walker led the way with 18 points, Alexander added 17 and Szmidt finished with 14 in the Hawks’ impressive win over 22 Feet, which knocked off perennial national title contender Oak Hill, 70-67, in overtime earlier this season at Oak Hill.
The Canadians combined to make 14-of-32 shots and only two other Hawks hit a field goals – Abdulhakim Ado and Muhammah Abubakar.
Ado, a Mississippi State commitment, scored just two points and added five rebounds, one block and committed three turnovers in another sub-par effort for the 6-10 post.
Abubakar had six points, four coming on free throws.
22 Feet had a 27-26 halftime lead and still led by one point going into the fourth period when Hamilton Heights (6-1) managed a 25-21 offensive advantage.
Hamilton Heights is scheduled to play St. Louis Christian on Sunday afternoon.
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)