Al Jackson Classic: Hayti experience shows in narrow W over Campbell
HAYTI – The Hayti girl’s basketball squad has six seniors on its roster, while Campbell, conversely, has seven players. Total. And no seniors.
That experience proved to be the slim difference between the two teams, as the Indians survived their battle with the Camels 36-34 on Thursday to win the Al Jackson Classic in Hayti.
“With it being early in the season,” Hayti coach Craig Rodgers said following the win, “not everybody knows what is going on right now. So, for us to come out and play like that against a really good team that can rebound like that and shoots the (3-pointer), yes, I am pleased with how we played.”
The Indians (2-1) stretched its 17-15 halftime advantage a tad throughout the third quarter, as it tried to figure out the Camels’ “junk defense,” as veteran Campbell coach Laura Foster called her hybrid man and zone alignment.
“We were worried about (Hayti senior Amiyah Johnson),” Foster explained. “She is a phenomenal player. She is hard to beat.”
While the Camels didn’t have the speed of Hayti, what they did have was strength on the blocks.
Campbell junior center Darcy Broglin scored on a post move to tie the game at 28 with 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter, as the Camels had clawed back into the game gradually.
The Camels (2-1) took a 30-28 lead on a pair of free throws from junior Marie Wheeler, however, the Indian press began to wear down the Camels, as did the continued skill of Johnson.
“She has been amazing for six, seven years,” Rodgers said of Johnson.
Johnson hit a couple of pull-back jumpers during the fourth quarter and Hayti held a 35-30 lead with under a minute remaining.
Wheeler nailed a jumper with 22 seconds to go to trim the Campbell deficit to 35-32 and finished with six points, as she ran the Campbell offense.
“Marie is a very smart player,” Foster said. “I think she doubts herself a little bit, but this year, she is going to come around.”
Hayti senior Akyra Humes sank a free throw to put her team ahead 36-32, but Wheeler answered with a pair of free throws at the 7.9 mark to pull her team to within 36-34.
The Indians missed a free throw following a Campbell foul and the Camels rebounded the ball and sophomore Elyssa Schatz drove to the basket in the closing seconds. However, Hayti junior Reggi Ford stayed with Schatz and leaped to not just block her final shot attempt, but also secured the rebound for the win.
“We respected Campbell,” Rodgers said. “They are not a bad team. They have height. They have guards who can drive. They have shooters. They have everything that you can go against.
“I look forward to playing against them later in the season.”
Johnson scored a game-high 17 points, while Ford added six and senior Ta’niyah Payne chipped in five in the win.
Broglin led Campbell with 16 points, while Schatz finished with 10.
Hayti will travel to Charleston on Monday at 1 p.m., while Campbell will host Greenville Monday at 7:30 p.m.