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No. 6 SH boys roll again

Hawks add Tigers to their list of shackled opponents

South Hamilton sophomore Quinton Grove (15) scores two of his eight points in the No. 6-ranked (Class 2A) Hawks’ 57-37 rout of Gilbert on Coach Jim Marsh Court in Jewell. DFJ photos/Tracy Runneberg

The Daily Freeman-Journal

JEWELL — Lost somewhat in the glaze of sixth-ranked (Class 2A) South Hamilton’s pristine start to the season is the lockdown defense it has played.

That fact hasn’t slipped by Hawks’ head coach Nathan Hill though.

South Hamilton continued to showcase its defensive intensity on Coach Jim Marsh Court Tuesday night in a 57-37 rout of longtime Heart of Iowa Conference rival Gilbert. The Tigers entered the game averaging 64.5 points per game, but became the fourth South Hamilton opponent to fail to even reach 40.

“Once again our defense set the tone,” Nathan Hill said. “Gilbert has a lot of guys that can shoot and we were able to hold most of their guys in check.”

DFJ photo/Tracy Runneberg

South Hamilton (6-0, 4-0 HOIC) allows just 39.5 points an outing and only one team, West Marshall, has surpassed 50. The Trojans put up 51 in a 15-point loss to the Hawks earlier this month.

Conner Hill, the Hawks’ junior defensive star on the perimeter, held Gilbert leading scorer Will Turner to just seven points. Turner entered averaging 15.3.

Logan Peters led South Hamilton for the second consecutive game with 13 points and he also snagged seven rebounds and dished out four assists. Logan Klemp buried three second-quarter 3-pointers to help the Hawks build a 29-18 halftime lead and the senior finished with 11 points. Cole Berg pitched in 10 points, highlighted by a fourth-quarter dunk.

Nathan Hill liked what he saw out of sophomore reserve Quinton Grove. The guard was a perfect 4 of 4 from the field for eight points and he also yanked down seven boards.

“Quinton gave us a big boost off the bench on both ends (of the court),” Coach Hill said. “It was definitely his best overall game of the season.”

Garrison Holck led Gilbert (1-4, 1-3 HOIC) with 11 points.

Now things get interesting. South Hamilton will hit the road on Friday to face fellow unbeaten Prairie City-Monroe (5-0, 4-0 HOIC) for the outright conference lead. The Hawks continue to play without floor leader Marco Balderas.

“We’ll have to be ready to go,” Coach Hill said. “It’ll be a good challenge for us.”

South Hamilton 57, Gilbert 37

Tuesday at Jewell

Gilbert (1-4, 1-3 HOIC) — Matt Ockey 3 0-0 7, Will Turner 2 3-4 7, Tanner Henningsen 1 0-0 3, Tony Terrones 1 2-2 5, Jeff Rudman 2 0-2 4, Garrison Holck 4 3-5 11. Totals: 13 8-13 37.

South Hamilton (6-0, 4-0 HOIC) — Cole Berg 4 2-3 10, Sam Lewis 1 0-1 2, Logan Peters 5 1-2 13, Quinton Grove 4 0-0 8, Logan Klemp 4 0-0 11, Cade Flaugh 0 0-0 0, Zeke Balderas 1 2-2 5, Conner Hill 2 2-2 6, Cade Balvanz 0 2-2 2, Garrett Grady 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 9-12 57.

Gilbert 6 12 12 7 — 37

S. Hamilton 12 17 17 11 — 57

3-point field goals — GIL 3 (Ockey, Henningsen Terrones); SH 6 (Klemp 3, Peters 2, Z. Balderas). Rebounds — SH 29 (Peters 7, Grove 7, Balvanz 6). Steals — SH 7 (Berg 3). Assists — SH 10 (Peters 4). Turnovers — GIL 13, SH 10. Team fouls — GIL 13, SH 14. Fouled out — none.

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