Search
Boys Basketball Sinks Hamden Hall on Buzzer Beater
The Hilltoppers secured their regular season series sweep of Hamden Hall in dramatic fashion. The last time they accomplished this feat was during the 1993-1994 season. Hopkins put forth one of its most inspired defensive efforts of the year. Colin Santacroce (’07) and Tri-Captain Bobby O’Brien (’07) combined for eight blocks in the first half and set the tone for the teams strong defensive play. Hamden Hall was led by sophmore Tyler Mizenko, while their leading scorer, Mike Massey only managed 5 first half points. Both teams exchanged shots and went into the half locked at 27-27.
The second half opened with the same offensive exchanges for the lead. Hopkins point guard, Ben Gusberg (’08), matched several shots with Mizenko (21 pts) as the teams battled for control of the lead. Santacroce dominated the boards with 14 and he scored 10 of his 30 points on offensive put backs. The Hilltoppers finally grabbed a five point lead with just about two minutes to play. To this point Tri-Captain Doug Prusoff (’08) and John Powers (’09) combined to hold Hamden Hall’s Super-Junior Mike Massey to 11 points. Both fouled out and Massey finally had some breathing room. Down the stretch Massey closed the gap after an ill-advised shot by the Hilltoppers early in their possession and a missed box-out on a foul shot by Hamden Hall.
Massey tied the game with 9 seconds to go and Hopkins immediately inbounded the ball to O’Brien. As he drove the length of the court he appeared to get fouled on his shot attempt at the Hamden hall block. Before the call was made, Santacroce called for a time-out with .9 seconds to go. The Hilltoppers drew up a side-out inbounds play and put the ball in Gusberg’s hands to inbound the ball. The players on the floor seemed to be overwhelmed by the moment and ran a broken version of the play called in the huddle. Somehow, Santacroce came off a double screen at the top of the key and sunk an off-balance “catch-and-shoot” 3 pointer as time expired.
Santacroce finished the game with 30 point 14 rebounds and 5 blocks. O’Brien finished with 15 points and Gusberg finished with 10 points. The Hilltoppers improved to 14-4 and 7-1 in the Fairchester League. Thanks to all of our fans for your support! Next up….away game at Rye on 2/2 at 7:30pm.
Back
The second half opened with the same offensive exchanges for the lead. Hopkins point guard, Ben Gusberg (’08), matched several shots with Mizenko (21 pts) as the teams battled for control of the lead. Santacroce dominated the boards with 14 and he scored 10 of his 30 points on offensive put backs. The Hilltoppers finally grabbed a five point lead with just about two minutes to play. To this point Tri-Captain Doug Prusoff (’08) and John Powers (’09) combined to hold Hamden Hall’s Super-Junior Mike Massey to 11 points. Both fouled out and Massey finally had some breathing room. Down the stretch Massey closed the gap after an ill-advised shot by the Hilltoppers early in their possession and a missed box-out on a foul shot by Hamden Hall.
Massey tied the game with 9 seconds to go and Hopkins immediately inbounded the ball to O’Brien. As he drove the length of the court he appeared to get fouled on his shot attempt at the Hamden hall block. Before the call was made, Santacroce called for a time-out with .9 seconds to go. The Hilltoppers drew up a side-out inbounds play and put the ball in Gusberg’s hands to inbound the ball. The players on the floor seemed to be overwhelmed by the moment and ran a broken version of the play called in the huddle. Somehow, Santacroce came off a double screen at the top of the key and sunk an off-balance “catch-and-shoot” 3 pointer as time expired.
Santacroce finished the game with 30 point 14 rebounds and 5 blocks. O’Brien finished with 15 points and Gusberg finished with 10 points. The Hilltoppers improved to 14-4 and 7-1 in the Fairchester League. Thanks to all of our fans for your support! Next up….away game at Rye on 2/2 at 7:30pm.
-
-
Voted #1
Best Day School
in CT, 2024
-
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
