JEFFERSON TWP — Practice makes perfect.

Practice also is a way to gauge how the games will go, according to Knoch boys basketball coach Josh Shoop.

But Shoop hasn't been pleased with the way his team has practiced this season. That changed in the days leading up to Knoch's section game against Hampton Tuesday night.

While the result was all too familiar — a 52-43 loss — the way the Knights played gave Shoop some cause for optimism.

“If we work hard in practice, it shows up in games,” Shoop said. “We were getting after guys in practice. That was the difference, and I think it showed tonight.”

Knoch (2-6, 1-2) never had the lead, but nearly overcame deficits of eight and nine points.

The Knights had possession and open shots on two occasions trailing by two points in the second half, but missed both times.

Hampton responded to those misses with baskets to further frustrate Knoch on a night in which it committed just one turnover in the second half.

“It's frustrating because I felt like we were getting good looks, we just weren't putting them in,” Shoop said. “We couldn't finish. We couldn't capitalize.”

With two freshmen in its starting lineup, Hampton (6-4, 2-1) played almost flawlessly in the final quarter while nursing its slim lead.

Dave Klodowski scored seven of his 16 points for the Talbots in the fourth quarter and Hampton was 8-of-10 from the line in the final eight minutes.

“We've been in some battles this year,” said Hampton coach Joe Lafko. “I think those experiences helped us a little bit tonight.”

Knoch got its biggest sparks from two players off the bench.

Michael Schenck scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and Tavita Lio added eight points.

Mark Pilarski haunted Knoch in the paint. Hampton's 6-foot-4 junior scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting.

He was one of the reasons Knoch couldn't draw even or take a lead.

“We were fortunate enough to stay ahead of Knoch. They kept coming after us,” Lafko said.

Shoop is hopeful the wins will start coming.

“As long as we get better and keep working hard, good things are going to happen,” Shoop said.

HAMPTON 52Ryan Luther 3-8 4-5 12, Dave Klodowski 6-12 3-3 16, Mark Pilarski 8-10 3-4 19, Alex Schneider 0-2 3-4 3, Colin Luther 0-2 2-2 2, Tom Radzminski 0-2 0-0 0, Jake Adams 0-1 0-0 0.

Totals: 17-37 15-18 52.

KNOCH 43Nathan Junk 1-6 2-3 4, Ryan Schultheis 2-5 3-3 7, Adam Seger 2-7 1-3 5, Jack Boros 1-4 3-6 5, Alex Strezeski 0-0 0-0 0, Dakota Bruggeman 2-5 0-0 4, Michael Schenck 5-6 0-0 10, Tavita Lio 3-6 1-1 8.

Totals: 16-39 10-16 43.

Hampton 14 11 10 17—52Knoch 8 13 12 10—433-point goals: Hampton 3 (R. Luther 2, Klodowski); Knoch 1 (Lio).

JV Score: Hampton 58-30

Friday: Knoch at Highlands