Hamilton Heights’ Lady Hawks, ranked No. 1 in the country by ESPN, got a combined 37 points from Elizabeth Balogun and Treasure Hunt on Friday and routed Wesleyan Christian, 72-41, in the Best of Carolina Showcase at Legacy Charter School in Greenville, South Carolina.
Wesleyan Christian, from High Point, North Carolina, played without its Virginia Tech signee, Shania Jones.
Balogun poured in 23 points and Hunt added 14 for the Lady Hawks (9-1), who enjoyed a 34-24 halftime advantage. Hamilton Heights outscored the Lady Trojans 36-17 in the second half to post the easy victory.
Jazmine Massengill, a Tennessee signee, scored 13 points and Kamilla Cardosa finished a strong performance with 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. Esmery Martinez grabbed eight rebounds.
Anaia Heard scored 17 points for the Lady Trojans (7-2).
Boxscore
Wesleyan Christian 6 18 9 8 – 41
Hamilton Heights 16 18 19 17 – 72
Wesleyan Christian (41) – McCrae, Anaia Heard 17, Mackey 3, Gonzalez, Bre Ware 10, Williams, Adams 5, Bailey 6.
Hamilton Heights (72) – Jazmine Massengill 13, Elizabeth Balogun 23, R. Balogun 1, Treasure Hunt 14, Rodrigues 3, Kamilla Cardosa 12, E. Martinez 6, P. Martinez, Manzano, Jitoboh.
3-Point Goals – Wesleyan Christian 3 (Heard 2, Bailey 1), Hamilton Heights 5 (Hunt 2, E. Balogun 2, Massengill 1).
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)