Bulldogs Boro’ Bound, Again!
Published 11:03 pm Monday, March 6, 2023
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Contributed Photo/Bob Liles Hampton's Hayden Campbell (34) goes up strong for a layup.
Contributed Photo/Bob Liles Cadon Buckles (11) of Hampton scores two of his 27 points this fastbreak layup.
Contributed Photo/Bob Liles Hampton's Cadon Buckles (11) shoots from downtown for three.
Contributed Photo/Bob Liles Splitting Oneida's defense, Cadon Buckles (11) of Hampton scores a layup.
Contributed Photo/Bob Liles Hampton's student body made the trip to Oneida to support their Bulldogs.
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BY C.Y. Peters
What looked like it would be a long night for the Hampton Bulldogs; falling behind 7-2, the Dogs reeled off ten straight points en route to a 73-55 win and earned their way to Murfreesboro for a shot at a state title. After the first three minutes, it looked like Coach Ned Smith put in Bad Bad Leroy Brown, but when the Bulldogs left Oneida High, the Indians looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.
After leading 12 to seven in the first, Oneida tied the score at 12. Both teams swapped baskets for the rest of the first half, with the Dogs leading by two 32-30. At halftime, Smith gave direct orders to play hard and blow this team away, and away they went. Red hot in the third, the Dogs built a lead that could not be caught. Moving out to a 50-35 lead with 3:07 to play in the third.
Through the season stats, the Dogs averaged eight points per game more than the Indians. Oneida finishes their season at 22-10, while the Dogs moved to 26-8 and earned a trip to the Boro.
Cadon Buckles got the Dogs rolling, tossing in ten points in the first quarter; he would finish the night with 27, leading all scorers. Hayden Campbell went to work inside in the second half scoring 17 of his 24 points and boosting Hampton to a 59-43 lead after three. Geno Carrico and Levi Lyons scored six points apiece, and Dylan Trivett and Michael Anspaugh followed with five. Campbell also pulled down ten rebounds on the night and Carrico grabbed eight. Mason Keaton led the Indians with 16 points. “I can’t believe this is happening; what a feeling,” said Campbell. “We’re all just really happy right now, my teammates worked the ball inside to me and things fell into place.” Tuesday night a 6 pm at Hampton High School, the coaches and players will be cutting the nets down. They hope to have a great crowd, so come out and celebrate another trip to the state.
Hampton 12 20 27 14 – 73
Oneida 9 21 13 12 – 55
