Flint Hill and Lockhart Find A Way Again

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Flint Hill (VA) uses third quarter isolation to best Christchurch (VA)

February 27, 2009 - Yesterday in Sleepy Thompson Tournament first round action, Flint Hill (23-3), propelled by the play of senior all-purpose guard Jawuan Lockhart (16 points) ran a 52-50 fourth quarter lead to 64-54, thereby creating enough room to prevail 70-61 over Christchurch (17-9). Lockhart not only scored via driving and posting up, but routinely found teammates for scores. His coach, though pleased, was non-plussed regarding the performance.

"He's played that way all year" said Rico Reed of Lockhart's ability to make plays in key situations. Of particularly interest was the guard's play in a 1-4 high set, which allowed him to dive down to the rim and post or get to the rim. Of that formation, Reed noted "We basically play five guards...their can be an advantage to not being big. We can make them play us (in match up situations).

Christchurch's sophomore swingman Mike Gbinije (28 points) did his best not to lose, dropping buckets from the perimeter and finishing on breaks with authority. Senior Coron Williams added 17 points, including several key first half shots.

But when it came to crunch time, though Flint Hill got 15 apiece from senior Chris Herlihy and junior KC Whitaker , along with 11 via senior David Purkert, it was the Lockhart show - he would score 8 consecutive fourth stanza points.

"He's just a basketball player" first noted Reed, who then shared of Lockhart's penchant for passing "I tell people he's got a little Pearl Washington in him".

That's high praise indeed. Yesterday Lockhart, with his timely buckets and passing, seemed to prove his coach's assertion true.