Knoch falls to Hampton
JEFFERSON TWP — A great effort does not always equal a winning effort. That was the scenario Knoch walked off the court with Tuesday night.
The Knights were the last team with a chance to tie Hampton for the Section 1-4A title, but saw that opportunity disappear with a 56-48 boys basketball loss at home to the Talbots.
“Our effort was outstanding,” said Knoch coach Alan Bauman. “We’re a young, growing team going through the ups and downs of being in a playoff race and we’re learning. We’ll be better because of it.”
The Knights (13-7, 6-3) had already clinched a WPIAL playoff berth before welcoming the Talbots into their gym, but were looking to avenge a 51-49 loss to Hampton in mid-January, a game decided at the final buzzer.
Tuesday’s second quarter saw four lead changes and it appeared as though the third would also be back-and-forth. Teegan Finucan’s early basket put the Knights up 29-28 and Hampton’s Alex Nyilas answered to put the Talbots up by one. Though the game would not be decided until late in the fourth period, Hampton never trailed again.
“We knew from the first time we played them that we had to defend better against Peter Kramer,” Coach Bauman said. “Credit to Hampton because they had other guys step up.”
Kramer did lead Hampton (17-3, 9-0) with 16 points, but the team also received 14 from Alex Nyilas and 12 from Robert Coll. All three players were part of the Talbots’ 11-of-13 effort at the free throw line, all in the second half.
“When we get a number of guys in double digits, it usually means good things for us,” said Hampton coach Joe Lafko.
Hampton began the game making eight of 11 attempts from the field in the first quarter, after which it held a 19-10 lead. Led by Jackson Bauman’s nine points, Knoch outscored the Talbots 17-9 in the second period.
Bauman paced the Knights with 18 points, Teegan Finucan scored 16 and Zarian Finucan 10.
Both teams are capable of scoring much more, but against each other, they put up a combined 204 points in two meetings this season.
“Both teams played great defense, but Hampton also plays a very deliberate style,” Coach Bauman said.
“In this matchup, each possession is so valuable,” said Lafko. “When that’s the case, there’s a tendency to be more cautious with the ball.”
The Knights close the section slate Friday at Highlands (14-6, 6-3).
“It’s a big game for us,” Coach Bauman said. “The winner finishes second in the section and should get a home playoff game and that’s one of our goals.”
HAMPTON 56
AJ Prodente 1 1-1 3, Alex Nyilas 5 1-2 14, Liam Mignogna 3 2-2 9, Peter Kramer 6 3-4 16, Robert Coll 4 4-4 12, Brock Borgo 1 0-0 2. Totals: 20 11-13 56.
KNOCH 48
Derek Lang 1 0-0 3, Jackson Bauman 7 3-6 18, Teegan Finucan 5 3-4 16, Zarian Finucan 4 0-0 10, Zane Pacek 0 1-2 1, Kaden Spencer 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 7-12 48.
Hampton 19 9 13 15 — 56
Knoch 10 17 10 11 — 48
3-point goals: Hampton 5 (Nyilas 3, Mignogna, Kramer); Knoch 7 (T.Finucan 3, Z.Finucan 2, Bauman, Lang).
Friday: Knoch at Highlands
