Chargers earn win in Sullivan's coaching debut

The Heritage Hall men's basketball team opened their season with a fifteen-point victory against Community Christian.

Rashaud Smith picked up the first points of the season, draining a corner three. The Chargers never trailed CCS. Throughout the first quarter, both teams missed multiple shots and the first quarter ended with the Chargers up 10-8. Kyle McLaughlin joined Smith as the main scorers for The Hall in this quarter.

The Chargers expanded their lead in the second quarter to six points. Multiple rebounds by CCS in this quarter allowed them to stay in this game. Smith continued to pour it in the basket for the Chargers with help from Kyle McLaughlin and Orie Walker (6 points each) and Austin Lemon with a bucket. Good ball movement allowed these players to get open and score for the Chargers.

The second half started with the Chargers up 25-19, opening on an explosive lay-up from Orie Walker. CCS kept answering back each time the Chargers scored to prevent the Chargers from expanding their lead. Fouls called on the Chargers also allowed CCS to stay within striking distance. CCS hit a buzzer-beater from three-point range to hype up their fans and bench, and close the gap on the Chargers at 42-39.

CCS carried that momentum into the fourth quarter with a game-tying three. The Chargers never let the Royals pass them though, responding quickly and stretching the lead. Comfortably ahead with just 43 seconds to go, Coach Sullivan pulled the starters and subbed in the second string.

The younger players showed the bright future of Heritage Hall basketball. The home team even expanded their lead in the final minutes as Trent Johnson scored his first varsity points in the paint.

This was Dylan Sullivan's first game at the helm for the Heritage Hall Chargers and he could not have asked for a better result – a hard-earned victory in front of the home crowd!

Rashaud Smith scored 24 points, knocking down 10 of 13 field goals, and earning a double-double with 12 rebounds from the guard position. Swingman Orie Walker also had a great game with 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting.

The Chargers took more quality shots with a field goal percentage of 58.1% while CCS only had a field goal percentage of 31.4%. Even though the Chargers were making more shots than CCS, CCS was able to stay in the game due to turnovers from the Chargers. They capitalized on the Charger's mistakes and scored 15 points off of the Charger's 14 turnovers, while making only 8 of their own. However, the Chargers were still able to come out with a season-opening win with the final score being 61-46.

Written by Kaeden Woods '24
Photo by Luke Steelman '93

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