JEFFERSON TWP — The goal for Hampton on Friday was to contain Knoch forward Rob Briggs — even if it took three players to do it.

While all three weren't on Briggs at the same time, a rotation system allowed the Talbots to keep track of the Knights' leading scorer.

The plan, coupled with a strong defensive attack, limited Briggs to a season-low eight points and the Knights in team points in a 47-29 decision in a key Section 1-AAA game.

"We emphasize defense. It's the cornerstone of our team," said Talbots coach Joe Lafko. "It's a cliche, but defense wins championships."

Bob Bartley, Joe Cangilla and Chris Tanski took turns guarding Briggs, who is averaging 20 points per game.

"We wanted to keep a fresh body on him and defend. It was a warm gym (Friday)," Lafko added.

"They were coming in waves and Bartley did a good job," said Knoch coach Chris Andreassi. "But that's not the problem if we execute our offense."

With the game knotted at 6 midway through the first quarter, the Talbots went on a 9-1 run — including a 3-point buzzer-beater at the end of the first frame — to take a 15-7 lead with 7:30 left in the second quarter.

Hampton (13-0, 5-0) almost added to its lead, but Bartley missed two free throws and a Cangilla basket was waved off due to a charging call.

Michael Gallagher then sparked the Knights with a basket and a 3-pointer in consecutive possessions to trim the deficit to 15-12 with 4:55 left until the break.

Hampton, however, embarked on a 10-0 run that opened a 25-12 lead with 5:42 left in the third quarter.

The Knights (8-4, 2-2) went 7:32 without a point before Briggs scored on a jumper to pull Knoch to within 11 points, the closest the team would get the remainder of the game.

Thanks to 10 second-half points, Corey McGinnis led Hampton with 15 points while teammates Asa Braxton added 13 points and Dan O'Mara 11. Cangilla, the team's point guard, chipped in with 15 rebounds.

"We've had balanced scoring all year," said Lafko. "That's been the attribute to our success.

The Knights, who were held to single digits in all four quarters, received 10 points from Gallagher and eight apiece from Briggs and Kyle Reiser. Andrew Wirtz's 3-pointer accounted for the rest of the Knights' scoring. Briggs added eight rebounds and Alex Whisler had seven boards.

"They were very physical with Rob inside," said Andreassi. "They concentrated on Rob, but we need to handle the pressure better."

Knoch's last two opponents, Highlands and Hampton, are two of the top-ranked teams in Class AAA and were a combined 23-0 entering their respective games against the Knights.

HAMPTON 47Joe Cangilla 1 0-0 2, Bob Hartley 1 0-2 2, Dan O'Mara 5 1-1 11, Asa Braxton 5 2-2 13, Corey McGinnis 6 2-3 15, Greg Conner 1 0-0 2, Chris Tanski 1 0-0 2, Ben Mall 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 20 5-8 47.

KNOCH 29Shawn Samek 0 0-0 0, Michael Gallagher 4 0-0 10, Kyle Reiser 3 1-2 8, Rob Briggs 3 1-2 8, Alex Whisler 0 0-0 0, Jake McTighe 0 0-0 0, Andrew Wirtz 1 0-0 3.

Totals: 11 2-4 29.

Hampton 13 6 16 12—47Knoch 7 5 9 8—293-point goals: Braxton, McGinnis; Gallaher 2, Reiser, Briggs, Wirtz

JV: Hampton, 58-46

Tuesday: Knoch at Valley