Freshman Hernandez sparks Hampshire

They may not have been the most minutes Shane Hernandez has played this season, but they were sure the most meaningful.

With Tyler Watzlawick and Sarwar Khan both in early foul trouble, Hampshire called on the freshman call-up Hernandez to protect the paint. He did just that with a defensive effort that helped Hampshire overcome a slow start and take a 49-35 victory in Marengo (3-15, 2-6) in Big Northern boys basketball action Tuesday night.

"Shane did a great job in the third quarter," Whips' coach Bob Barnett said. "I was impressed. Big man by committee worked for us."

Hernandez, Khan and Watzlawick each picked a quarter to spark Hampshire (13-8, 5-2) runs, but Hernandez' third-quarter effort allowed Hampshire to secure and maintain a lead. Watzlawick picked up his third foul 23 seconds into the second half. With Khan in foul trouble after being whistled 3 times in the second quarter, Barnett was left with Hernandez, who has been playing with the varsity team for the past 6 games, to fill the paint.

The freshman responded by grabbing 6 rebounds and blocking 3 Marengo shots, to go along with 2 points. Hampshire used Hernandez' defensive effort to outscore Marengo 12-5 in the third quarter after trailing 21-20 at the break.

"I wanted to come in and play good defense and not let anyone score," Hernandez said.

The Whips finished the second half with a 16-11 advantage on the glass, which translated into a 29-14 scoring advantage in the second half. Justin Bieber scored 5 of his game-high 15 points in the third quarter.

Watzlawick paced an 80 percent (8 of 10) shooting effort in the fourth quarter, scoring all 9 of his points in the period. Hampshire shot 56.5 percent (13 of 23) from the floor in the second half.

"We didn't shoot well at all in the first quarter or the first half," Barnett said. "At halftime, we wanted to get the ball in the lane and get some good looks."

Hampshire trailed 12-7 after the opening period after shooting 2 of 9 from the floor. Marengo's Zack Lundquist scored 5 of his team-high 10 points in the opening period. The Whips fought back in the second quarter thanks in part to 6 points and 2 blocks from Khan.

"I came out aggressive trying to get boards," said Khan, who added 3 rebounds in the period. "(Hernandez, Watzlawick and himself) all worked together and all contributed."

Hampshire led 20-16 in the final minute of the first half, but Marengo scored on a pair of free throws from Matt Harrah and a basket from Lundquist.