By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eric Hillsman finished with a double-double and led three in double figures as the Bishop Kearney boys’ basketball team grabbed an early lead and went on to defeat Vertus, 98-55 in Section V action Wednesday night.
Hillsman collected 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The ninth-grade forward scored eight in a 12-3 run to close the first quarter.
“A player like him who can score, we got to get him the ball, have him get a couple touches and get the offense going,” Kearney head coach Kevin Goode said.
Leading 14-7, Hillsman converted a pair of free throws and followed with a layup in transition. Two possessions later, he went baseline for another deuce and scored again on the break for a 22-7 advantage.
Eric Hillsman has scored eight straight. @KearneyBoys 22-7. pic.twitter.com/zHgqY9vDnq
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 5, 2023
Kearney’s lead was double-digits and the Kings did not allow Vertus to get any closer.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE HERE.
“He’s been having a great season,” said teammate Colin Gentile. “Basically, keep finding him in the post and looking up on fast breaks for him. He’s going to finish it at the rim.”
Gentile added 15 points in the win. Alejandro Aguilar had 11. Part of a lineup that saw 10 players contribute to the offensive production. Five of whom found the bottom of the net in the first half.
“It starts at practice,” said Gentile who also grabbed six rebounds. “We go at each other in practice. Everyone is bringing intensity. Everyone’s ready to get called when they’re on the bench.”
Jahmez Reaves was the first player off the bench for BK Wednesday. Reaves stretched the lead to 20 at 32-12 when he buried a 3-pointer early in the second quarter. Next trip down the floor, the seventh-grade guard led Gentile for a layup. He followed with an and-one on the next possession.
Give ‘n go: Eric Hillsman and Jahmez Reaves. Hillsman with the finish. @KearneyBoys 29-10. pic.twitter.com/KhpEjk2Bne
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 5, 2023
“We came out with a lot of intensity,” Gentile said. “Guys were making good plays, getting each other open. We were setting each other up for success.”
The same two teams met early last month. Kearney took a 74-62 decision that night.
“We only had four turnovers in the first half tonight,” Goode noted. “We had about 17 turnovers in the first game. We were careless with the basketball. We eliminated those turnovers and were able to get shots at the basket.”
The win was the fourth in the past five games for Kearney (5-2).
Russell Ellis finds an opening for two. pic.twitter.com/vjvsFxWvLR
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) January 5, 2023
Reaves finished with seven points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Russell Ellis had nine points. Trevor Bohon had six points and four rebounds. Zidean Henry (9), Zach Bordeau (7) and Gio Rosa (5) also scored for Kearney. Rocco Barbier contributed two points and six rebounds.
Jayden Ridley-Smith and Talhah Ali scored nine apiece to lead Vertus (5-5). Qamar Turner had eight points. E’mere Fulton accounted for six. Marcus Ridley (5), Terence Clark (5), Reginald Pough (4), NaShean Wade (3), Malachi Davis (3), Dahmere Brown (2) and Mark Levins (1) also scored for the Warriors.
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