The Hall High School boys basketball hosted Avon on Thursday night in West Hartford.
Chase Hanwalt of Hall is fouled by Avon’s Joseph Vitkauskas. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
By Paul Palmer. Photos by Paul Palmer and Craig Rosenberg
It was the kind of game that fans of Hall boys basketball should get used to seeing this year. The Titans used timely shooting, a pressing defense, and a scrappy determination to earn their third win on the season with an 58-43 victory Thursday night over Avon.
“They are very resilient,” said Titans head coach Bryan Moretti of his team.
Anthony McKeown and Amecca Freeman paced the Hall offense with 15 and 13 points respectively. It wasn’t just the starting five who were responsible for the win. Moretti frequently went to his bench to mix things up, and at times they were the spark the Titans needed.
Amecca Freeman. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
“I thought our bench came in and expanded our lead,” Moretti said.
After taking a 14-8 first quarter lead, Hall found itself needing to adjust its defense as the Falcons began employing long passes to break the press attempts. Unfortunately for Avon, they were not able to convert with any regularity. “We adjusted to their long outlet passes,” Moretti said. “We changed up to a half-court defense.” That change led to several forced turnovers by Hall with Anthony McKeown and Justin Joiner leading the charge on defense.
Anthony McKeown led all scorers with 15 points. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
The combination of the changes in lineup and defense helped Hall build its lead by halftime to 26-18. It was capped off with Hurlock hitting the scoop shot at the buzzer. In a bit of an oddity, Hall would score at or after the buzzer in each of the first three quarters.
“I felt we struggled in the first half,” said Moretti. “We missed some early looks and they made some of their shots.”
While never appearing to be at a place where they could put the game away, Hall seemed to keep their composure and play their game, even as Avon began cutting into the lead in the third quarter. Senior Luke Coppen lead the Avon comeback effort with some timely shooting and Joseph Vitauskus’ rebounding and inside game.
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
With 3:21 to play in the third, the Hall lead was just five at 35-30, but that was as close as Avon would get. McKeown hit a corner 3 and Hall held the Falcons scoreless the rest of the period and it was a 41-30 game at the end of 24 minutes of play.
The fourth saw Hall’s offense have their best scoring output of the game as they began to lengthen their lead. Joiner scored on a nice putback and Colby Hurlock hit on a long 3, and just 1:23 into the fourth the lead was 14. Big man Chase Hanawalt played a strong game on the boards but struggled to get the ball to fall. His highlight of the night came when he picked up a loose ball in the defensive end, dribbled behind his back to get around a defender, and then found McKeown who paid it off with the driving hoop.
Amecca Freeman drives the lane for Hall. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
It was a team effort all around for Hall. Freeman had eight points in the first, but then did not score again until there was 3:38 left in the third. In the interim, Joiner, McKeown, and Hurlock (10 points) paced the offense both with ball handling and scoring. On defense, it was a swarming group of Titans making life miserable for Avon, guarding them tight and getting several steals along the way.
“We want to pressure teams as much as possible,” Moretti said of the style of play. “I enjoy coaching these guys. It is nice to have a team you enjoy being around.”
Colby Hurlock hits the layup for Hall in the win over Avon. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Justin Joiner (2) of Hall goes inside for the shot. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Hall’s tight defense kept Avon off balance. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Anthony McKeown (1) of Hall moves to the ball as teammate Amecca Freeman (4) looks on. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Colby Hurlock hits the layup for Hall in the win over Avon. Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
Hall vs. Avon boys basketball. Dec. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg
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