GRANITE QUARRY — Hillary Hampton’s neck was still as stiff as a starched collar from her all-star collision with Maggie Rich last Friday night, but her right wrist was nice and loose.
Good thing for West Rowan. A mostly healthy Hampton scored a career-high 32 points in the Falcons’ 56-48 comeback victory over A.L. Brown in the first round of the 3A North Piedmont Conference Tournament.
The gritty 5-foot-5 sophomore guard with the 7-foot-5 heart willed her teammates into the semifinals by scoring 16 in the fourth quarter and 19 of West’s last 26.
Fourth-seeded West (18-6) faces top-seeded North Iredell at 6:30 tonight at Statesville High. The fifth-seeded Wonders, who entered 2002 on an undefeated high, called it a season at 15-8.
“It’s an emotional time,” said Wonder coach Doug Wilson, standing outside a tearful, senior-heavy locker room. “When our seniors were freshmen we got zero respect. Now we get everyone’s best shot. That says something about these kids.”
West has won 11 of 12 from the Wonders, but Tuesday’s tussle in the neutral East gym was likely the toughest.
“I warned everyone Kannapolis was no joke,” said Hampton. “It’s hard to beat a good team twice, much less three times. And I know how good they can play. Those same girls won our (SPC) tournament last year.”
The juiced Wonders stormed out of the gate 6-0 and dominated the first half with their 2-1-2 zone. They sprinted to the locker room up 26-20.
“Kannapolis took it to us and we went through the motions,” said West coach Toni Wheeler. “Without Hillary, I don’t think we’d have scored in the first half.”
“We only had three fouls at halftime,” groaned Hampton. “Usually three or four of us are in foul trouble by then. We knew we had to get more intense.”
Even after the Falcons turned feisty, the Wonders matched them shove for shove and snarl for snarl. And when West’s only height, freshman Brittany Roberson (11 rebounds), exited with her fourth foul midway through the third quarter, the Wonders had a chance to settle the issue. But Wonder free throws — they went 11-for-25 — kept clanging off the iron, allowing grateful West to hang around.
The tide turned with 7:24 remaining and the Wonders ahead 41-33. Blair Harkey made a layup. Then Hampton scored four in 15 seconds. Then came a disputed no-call when Wonder forward Michelle Crosby (12 points, 10 boards) went up for a shot inside. As the Falcons rebounded and tore downcourt, a technical was whistled on the Wonder bench, because jayvee coach Nikkaris Surratt had slammed a clipboard.
“That technical was a real big part of the game,” understated Hampton.
West drew even for the first time at 41-all after Hampton made the technical free throws. West had its initial lead after Jac White’s clutch 14-footer seconds later.
It was clear that West had all the momentum — and all the karma — when Roberson’s turnaround in the lane went in, came out, then spun back in for a monster three-point play and a 46-43 lead with 3:50 left to play.
It got crazy and physical at the end, but Hampton just kept picking herself up, dusting herself off and swishing free throws.
“I don’t carry grudges, but if Kannapolis doesn’t like me, that’s fine,” shrugged Hampton. “All that matters is we’re still playing and they’re going home.”
A.L. BROWN (48) — Powell 14, Stanback 13, Crosby 12, Johnson 5, Hutchinson 2, Buster 2, Smitherman, Thomas.
WEST ROWAN (56) — Hampton 32, Roberson 7, Lewis 6, Harkey 4, Hartsell 3, White 2, Jones 2, Gay, Massey, Charleston.
A.L. Brown 14 12 13 9 — 48
West Rowan 11 9 13 23 — 56
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