Hampshire knocks off Harper

At first, Hampshire’s boys basketball team appeared a bit intimidated by a much larger Harper team. The Whip-Purs fell behind 8-2 early and looked to be in for a long evening. But once they regained their bearings, the Whips handled the Cardinals just fine, eventually pulling out a 53-49 victory in a seesaw game at the Leland G. Strombom Tournament in Sycamore.

The game featured 7 lead changes and 6 ties.

Hampshire closed the game on a 14-3 run, never feeling safe until a Ryan Cork steal on the Cardinals’ penultimate possession. That led to a pair of Tyler Watzlawick free throws with 12 seconds left for the final margin.

Watzlawick dominated inside, finishing with 24 points for Hampshire. Brock Ralphs added 12 and Tyler Crater 10 for the Whips.

Hampshire overcame a late 5-point deficit despite playing without regulars Shane Hernandez and Jeremy Yoder.

“We didn’t panic,” said Hampshire coach Bob Barnett. “It hurts playing without Shane. Shane’s out, Yoder’s out. The other guys stepped up and did a real good job.”

With Hampshire trailing 46-41, Cork fed Watzlawick for a jumper and, after a Harper turnover, Crater nailed a 3-pointer to pull the Whips even.

Harper regained the lead on a free throw, and the teams traded baskets until Watzlawick’s basket put Hampshire ahead for good at 50-49.

After Hampshire fell behind early, Ralphs made a pair of 3-pointers to give the Whips their first lead at 10-9. After the Cardinals regained the lead on a basket by Boyd, Crater nailed a 3-pointer to put the Whips back in front, and so it went. Harper’s 8-2 lead was the biggest of the game for either team.