PEARCY, Ark. – Lake Hamilton’s boys were outmanned and outgunned by Watson Chapel Tuesday night at the Wolf Den.
The Wolves were minus three possible starters and a fourth key player in their 55-39 loss to Watson Chapel.
“Tonight we were 6-1 inside and they were 6-7, who was 225 pounds and looked like a Greek God,” said losing coach Scotty Pennington. “It didn’t help us that they shot the ball well, too. We’re only playing five or six kids right now with our situation. We were gassed at the end.”
Among Lake Hamilton’s missing was 6-4 post Chase Jessup, a Division I football recruit. His backup is also 6-4, and missed the game. The third tallest player on the Wolves’ roster was sick, and Pennington has been missing his best shooter for two weeks.
Watson Chapel took advantage of situation
The three tallest players on the floor Tuesday belonged to the Wildcats, including 6-7 junior Andy Emsweller. He and 6-3 Khamani Cooper combined for 35 points and 18 rebounds. The duo scored a combined 24 points in the first half to give the Wildcats a 29-20 cushion.
Lake Hamilton (3-4) sophomore Zac Pennington kept the Wolves in contention with 9 of his team-high 14 points in the second quarter. Unfortunately, the host team went cold the final eight minutes.
“This is frustrating for the kids because their effort right now is phenomenal,” said the Wolves’ coach. “They’re playing really hard. We’re just outmanned at almost all positions right now. Hopefully, we’ll be healthy when conference play begins. One thing we’re doing right now is developing depth. When the others get back, we’ll have a bench with experience.”
Watson Chapel pulled out to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter, with Cooper doing most of the damage. He led the Wildcats’ offense with 19 points. Emsweller tallied 16, and KeShun Brown contributed 10.
The only players in double digits for the Wolves were Pennington and 6-1 post Gavin Robbins with 13 points.
Lake Hamilton’s junior varsity scored an impressive 38-30 win over the Wildcats.