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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
It has been said over and over again that if you can’t run with the big dogs it’s time to get off the porch but sometimes it takes a little motivational push for that to happen.

Hampton’s boys’ freshmen basketball team needed to put a little shoulder into the Science Hill freshmen ‘Toppers team but finally managed to push the ‘Toppers off the porch in taking a 54-52 hard-fought battle in Johnson City.

Science Hill came out of the shoot and grabbed an 18-12 lead to open the contest.

Chance Point scored six points in the quarter to help keep his ‘Dog squad close in the early going. Michael Anspaugh, Dylan Trivett, and Geno Carrico chipped in two points in the period as well.

The Toppers kept the pressure on in the second period outscoring Hampton 14-11 to take a 32-23 lead to the break.

Post player Hayden Campbell of the ‘Dogs heated up in the stanza as the big man worked hard for eight points. Point added two more points to his total while Trivett connected on 1-of-2 from the free-throw line.

Hampton really turned up the pressure in the third quarter and the result was a 16-7 run that brought the teams back even at 39-all. Campbell continued his strong play from the post with six more points in the quarter while Trivett dropped five in including a trey.

Carrico added four in the run while Point hit 1-of-2 from the charity stripe.

The final eight minutes was a nip and tuck battle as the ‘Dogs finally managed to squeeze past the home team, 15-13 to take the win.

Four ‘Dogs finished in double figures led by Campbell’s 16 points. Trivett added 13 points with Carrico and Point closing out their logbook with 11 points apiece.

Anspaugh finished with three points in the Hampton victory.

Beason had 12 points to lead the ‘Toppers in defeat.