#28 Chandler Gets Back on Track with 66-57 Win Over Rival #17 Hamilton

The first AIA powerpoint boys basketball rankings debuted just 9 hours before the hardcourt edition of the Battle of Arizona Ave for the first of two meetings in a 7-day span.

Chandler debuted at #28 in the Open and #14 in 6A while Hamilton debuted at #17 in the Open and #9 in 6A.

On the same day, now 12-3 Chandler (10-1 in powerpoint games) proved why the AIA computer needs to put some more respect on their name.

The Wolves started out the game strong as they opened the game on a 14-3 run.

Kick-starting the large lead was Chandler’s senior guards Seth McKnight and Brandon Stapleton, who each hit quick three-pointers.

Chandler played great defense in the first quarter as they led 18-6 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, it was much of the same. Chandler was dominant on both sides of the ball, and Hamilton couldn’t get much of anything going their way.

The Wolves also relied on one of their bench players to keep the energy up. 

The bench player was junior forward Jamir Smith who was dominating on the glass and got a contested put-back layup to go in the basket. 

Smith then brought the intensity to defense as he was able to swat away a layup attempt from Hamilton. 

When talking about what he likes to bring to the table in terms of his hustle and intensity, Smith kept it simple.

“I like to be an energy maker,” Smith said. 

At the end of two quarters, Chandler was able to secure a large lead as they led 30-16 over the Huskies. 

Having almost no rhythm going in the first half, Hamilton needed someone to step up, and that was when their senior guard, MJ Cole, did just that. 

Right out the gate in the third quarter, Cole hit a pull-up three-pointer.

That was then followed by a few more baskets by him that included a mix of layups and mid-range shots. 

Cole was a man on a mission in the third quarter as he even had a fastbreak dunk that helped swing some momentum towards Hamilton's way. 

Having 16 points in the third quarter, Cole was able to cut Chandler's lead heading into the fourth quarter. 

After letting up a little in the third quarter, Chandler was able to weather the storm and get the game back in their hands.

The Wolves started with an alley-oop in the fourth quarter as their sophomore forward Donovan Palmer lobbed a pass to Smith, who almost jumped out of the gym as he finished the dunk. 

Chandler head coach Jonathan Rother says his team talks about three key things, and that Smith always brings it.

“We talk about energy, effort, and enthusiasm, and he brings it,” Rother said. “The guy (Smith) is a competitor and just gets the job done.” 

Even though it seemed like the game was too far out of reach, Hamilton was not out of the game quite yet, as they eventually cut Chandler's lead to just two points after they went on a 9-0 run. 

Down in the stretch, though, it would be Chandler who proved to be more resilient. 

The Wolves were able to extend their lead again after Stapleton hit a corner three-pointer, then a few possessions later, Palmer had a dunk so vicious it had the entire Chandler crowd stand up. 

Chandler almost lost what was a massive lead, but they were able to close out one of their biggest games of the season and hope to build off of it. 

“We just gotta keep the energy,” Smith said. “Rest of the season, we've got to keep the energy.” 

After taking down Hamilton, Chandler is able to secure their first win in the 6A Premier region this season, but it knows there is still work to do if they want to keep winning.

“We will celebrate tonight for sure, but tomorrow we’re gonna get back in the gym,” Rother said. “These games are supposed to be a little easier than our practices; we go hard here at Chandler.” 

Next up: Chandler (12-3 overall, 10-1 in powerpoint games) hosts #42 Shadow Ridge (12-3) on Friday while Hamilton (8-6 overall, 7-3 in powerpoint games) visits #8 Basha (8-3).