8th grader Hampton Evans hits buzzer-beater to lift Greenfield over The Burlington School
By Laieke Abebe, ENCMoments.com
Kinston, N.C. — In a game filled with high school players, it was an eighth-grader who made the difference.
Hampton Evans hit a buzzer-beating jump shot to help Greenfield knock off The Burlington School 62-61 Saturday in the MLK Kinston Classic.
“That was a big time shot,” Knights coach Rob Salter said. “He has intangibles that most high school players don’t have and he’s only an eighth grader. Hampton is someone folks will be hearing a lot about in the future.”
The Spartans (16-8) got off to a hot start from distance with JaDun Michael and Jalil Michael hitting a couple of threes. The Burlington School led 8-3 early in the first, but Trey Pittman responded with a three of his own for the Knights.
Greenfield (23-5) took their first lead of the game on another three from Pittman, but Kuluel Mading answered with a dunk. It was an action packed first quarter with the Knights leading 19-16 after eight minutes of play.
Both teams played with the lead in the second quarter. Trailing by one, Greenfield guard Jordan Lynch hit a three and Creighton Lebo added a layup to make it 28-24 Knights with 4:41 left in the half.
The Spartans responded with a 7-0 run highlighted by a Jilil Michael three and Mading layup. They’d lead by five late in the first half, but a layup from Lynch cut it to 35-32 at halftime.
Tied at 39 in the third, Mylyjael Poteat connected on a pair of dunks before Pittman and Dji Bailey answered with two layups. This was part of a 13-2 run to end the third quarter. Pittman tipped in a missed layup at the buzzer to make it 52-45 going into the fourth.
The Burlington School found a way to get back in front as Jadun Michael led an 11-2 run to give the Spartans a 56-54 lead with 4:54 left. The senior guard hit back-to-back triples in that run. Bailey tied the game for Greenfield after Will Whitley answered with a bucket.
Michael put the Spartans up 60-58 by driving past a couple of Knights defenders for a layup. Hampton Evans tied it once again hitting a jump shot with 40 seconds left
After holding the ball for a final shot, Michael was fouled with 4.8 seconds remaining. He split the pair of free throws which gave Greenfield a chance to win the game with their last possession.
Bailey dribbled the length of the floor, handed it to Evans who hit a jumper going to his left that gave the Knights the win. The crowd went into pandemonium after seeing a classic at Kinston High School.
“That’s my go to move,” Evans said. “I like hitting shots like that and it felt great to do it in a big game.”
Creighton Lebo had 16 points to lead the Knights while Jordan Lynch had a double double (11 points, 11 rebounds). Michael led all scorers with 19 for the Spartans.
By Laieke Abebe, ENCMoments.com
Kinston, N.C. — In a game filled with high school players, it was an eighth-grader who made the difference.
Hampton Evans hit a buzzer-beating jump shot to help Greenfield knock off The Burlington School 62-61 Saturday in the MLK Kinston Classic.
“That was a big time shot,” Knights coach Rob Salter said. “He has intangibles that most high school players don’t have and he’s only an eighth grader. Hampton is someone folks will be hearing a lot about in the future.”
The Spartans (16-8) got off to a hot start from distance with JaDun Michael and Jalil Michael hitting a couple of threes. The Burlington School led 8-3 early in the first, but Trey Pittman responded with a three of his own for the Knights.
Greenfield (23-5) took their first lead of the game on another three from Pittman, but Kuluel Mading answered with a dunk. It was an action packed first quarter with the Knights leading 19-16 after eight minutes of play.
Both teams played with the lead in the second quarter. Trailing by one, Greenfield guard Jordan Lynch hit a three and Creighton Lebo added a layup to make it 28-24 Knights with 4:41 left in the half.
The Spartans responded with a 7-0 run highlighted by a Jilil Michael three and Mading layup. They’d lead by five late in the first half, but a layup from Lynch cut it to 35-32 at halftime.
Tied at 39 in the third, Mylyjael Poteat connected on a pair of dunks before Pittman and Dji Bailey answered with two layups. This was part of a 13-2 run to end the third quarter. Pittman tipped in a missed layup at the buzzer to make it 52-45 going into the fourth.
The Burlington School found a way to get back in front as Jadun Michael led an 11-2 run to give the Spartans a 56-54 lead with 4:54 left. The senior guard hit back-to-back triples in that run. Bailey tied the game for Greenfield after Will Whitley answered with a bucket.
Michael put the Spartans up 60-58 by driving past a couple of Knights defenders for a layup. Hampton Evans tied it once again hitting a jump shot with 40 seconds left
After holding the ball for a final shot, Michael was fouled with 4.8 seconds remaining. He split the pair of free throws which gave Greenfield a chance to win the game with their last possession.
Bailey dribbled the length of the floor, handed it to Evans who hit a jumper going to his left that gave the Knights the win. The crowd went into pandemonium after seeing a classic at Kinston High School.
“That’s my go to move,” Evans said. “I like hitting shots like that and it felt great to do it in a big game.”
Creighton Lebo had 16 points to lead the Knights while Jordan Lynch had a double double (11 points, 11 rebounds). Michael led all scorers with 19 for the Spartans.
