Hawk Invitational Overtime Thriller

Tournament time between Christmas break and the New Year is where some of the best basketball occurs. Family is in town visiting, more fans are able to attend because of the holiday and being off from work. The gym is pack and the players are ready to show case their talents. The Hawk Invitational is one of the most sought after tournaments in the Lowcountry. It is the time where all the neighboring schools are in one gym and able to play against each other when sometimes they are not able to play each other during the regular season. There was a showdown that was surprising to all in attendance. Blackville-Hilda High went into an OT thriller with the Wade Hampton. This was a game of runs until down to the very end of the game. The defense was intense, the offensive play was there, and the fans were cheering like never before. Blackville- Hilda currently being ranked at #7 in the state and then voted to win the overall tournament was in a battle like none other. Wade Hampton brought the intensity fresh out of the gate and was leading at halftime 23-19. After halftime Blackville-Hilda brought their own level intensity and the momentum of the game quickly changed into their favor and the game seemed to be Blackville’s game until Wade Hampton went on a 12-4 run to tie the game. This game was like no other, there was back to back scoring and defensive stop after defensive stop. The game came down to two players who make big time play after big time play. [player_tooltip player_id="171733" first="Rishona" last="Washington"] scored a consecutive 12 points in the third quarter [player_tooltip player_id="171760" first="Shia" last="Kinard"] scored 6 points in the fourth quarter. Due to a technical foul called on Wade Hampton’s coach near the end of regulation, Blackville had a chance to win the game but missed both free throws. Overtime it is! Blackville-Hilda was up one point with 6.5 seconds left in OT with a tough up and under by Rishona. Shia came down on a step back three and knocked down one of the most clutch shots in the tournament. Wade Hampton wins by 2. Down goes Blackville Hilda, 59-57. Both <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171760" first="Shia" last="Kinard"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171733" first="Rishona" last="Washington"]</strong> are pictured below, along with game statistics and tournament achievements. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171760" first="Shia" last="Kinard"]- Wade Hampton-</strong> <em>22 points including a clutch 3 pointer to end the OT thriller. All tournament team and MVP of this game. Shia was off to a slow start but after the second game of the tournament she left her mark on the tournament and many teams and fans at the tournament. Her defensive presence against the other guards in the tournament made her one of the most talked about players. </em> &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171733" first="Rishona" last="Washington"]- Blackville-Hilda</strong>- 20 points including 18 points within regulation. All Tournament team. Rishona was one of the most aggressive and impressive forwards in the tournament. She played well on both ends of the floor and brought a lot of intensity and was vocal amongst her team as well as on the floor. &nbsp; These two teams as well as these players do not play each other in the regular season but they made the matchup one to remember and enjoyable for of those in attendance. &nbsp;