It was an instant classic in the Region 1-A Championship game.
Hampton outlasted Unaka for a thrilling 56-52 victory in the Region 1-A Championship game in front of a packed crowd on Warrior Hill. With the win, Hampton will host Oneida on Monday in the sectional round, while the Rangers will travel to Harriman.
The Bulldogs opened the game quickly as Hampton stormed out to a 12-4 lead before Austin Lambert and Justius Wallin hit back-to-back shots for the Rangers. Tuff Robinson and Bryce Fagan ended the quarter with back-to-back points for Hampton as the Bulldogs held a 16-8 lead going to the second quarter.
After the teams traded shots to open the second, Hampton ended the second quarter on an 11-3 run capped by a Jackson Smith jumper to take a 31-20 lead into the half.
Unaka, however, fought back.
Aiden Walsh and John Hardin opened the third quarter with buckets, and the Rangers used a 9-3 run later in the quarter to pull within one point. Colby Clark converted an old-fashioned 3-point play for the Bulldogs, but J. Wallin answered on the other end as Hampton held a 42-40 lead after three complete quarters.
The fourth quarter was an intense back-and-forth battle.
Zach Wallin and Hardin pushed Unaka into the lead to open the final stanza. After the teams swapped shots, Chase Davenport tied the game with a pair of free throws with 2:27 left to play.
The Rangers regained the lead with just under two minutes to play with a Hardin bucket, but Fagan answered on the other end for Hampton. Clark added a pair of free throws, and Fagan added a late second free throw to secure the win for the Bulldogs.
Robinson led Hampton with 20 points, while Davenport and Clark had 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Robinson was named the tournament MVP, while Davenport, Fagan, and Clark were selected as All-Tournament.
Lambert led Unaka with 16 points. Hardin and Walsh scored 12 points apiece.
The trio of Lambert, Hardin, and Walsh was selected to the All-Tournament team.
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