Amherst Regional boys basketball knocks off Northampton
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NORTHAMPTON - With the game on the line, one of the least likely offensive threats for the Amherst Regional boys basketball team stepped up.
Known more for blocking shots and grabbing rebounds above the rim, Tchuijo Nkamebo made two key baskets down the stretch as the Hurricanes held off Northampton 59-55 Friday in the Jill E. Harrington Hanzalik Basketball Classic.
"We haven't beaten them in two years and to win it feels good," said Nkamebo, whose team snapped a five-game losing streak to their rivals.
Tied 52-52 with less than a minute remaining, Norris Cuevas-Nova attempted to run off a screen at the top of the key, but the junior guard was stopped, and instead found a cutting Nkamebo (10 points), who powered in a layup at the rim for a two-point lead with 36 seconds left.
"We always work on that in practice," Nkamebo said. "I'm used to the way he plays and in the game we were able to execute it."
Jarrod Neumann was fouled and made one free throw on the other end to cut the deficit to 54-53. Nkamebo grabbed the rebound on the missed free throw and he was fouled. The senior made both of his free throws for a 56-53 lead with 19 seconds left.
"His offense was big," Cuevas-Nova said. "We use him more on defense but he came through at the end."
James Sowers went 3-for-4 from the line down the stretch as Amherst pulled away. In the final 20 seconds, Amherst coach Jim Matuszko called two timeouts to set up his defense. The time also allowed Northampton, which had one stoppage left, to set up a play, but each time the Hurricanes' defense came through.
"In the past we've had a tendency to fall asleep on defense and I didn't want to give up a 3 or foul anybody," Matuszko said. "I just wanted them to pressure a little bit in the backcourt and take some time off the clock."
"It's disappointing, but tip your hat to Amherst," Hamp coach Rey Harp said. "They came up big."
The game was close throughout with 21 lead changes and eight ties. The Blue Devils (1-4, 0-1 Suburban) took a 26-20 lead at halftime and extended it to eight on Neumann's basket to start the third.
"We played OK through the first half," Neumann said. "We came into halftime with a six-point lead and we came out and give them one of those little runs again and we stayed through it, but out of timeouts we weren't focused."
Following Neumann's basket to start the third, the Hurricanes (3-2, 1-0) went on a 16-3 run to take a 36-31 lead. Northampton slowly worked its way back into the game and took a 50-48 lead off a Justin Burgos (12 points) 3-pointer with 2:29 left.
However, Good Farah (12 points) tied it at 50 with a baseline drive and Cuevas-Nova's fast-break layup gave the 'Canes a 52-50 lead.
Neumann (19 points) was named the most outstanding player for Northampton, while Cuevas-Nova (16 points) earned the honor for Amherst. Jared Murphy had 14 points for Hamp. Josh Whitaker had 11 for Amherst.
"This is a big win," Cuevas-Nova said. "They are the toughest team we've played so far."
