The Palisades High boys varsity basketball team couldn’t have picked a better time for its best shooting performance of the season.
In a game the Dolphins needed to win to stay in the thick of the Western League race they sank 14 three-point shots and did not allow one Wednesday in a 75-35 rout of visiting Hamilton. Palisades dominated from the opening tip and its perimeter defense was a huge factor.
“They shoot a high volume of threes from the corner, but we didn’t let them tonight,” Pali High head coach Donzell Hayes said. “We ran them off the three-point line and didn’t allow good looks.”
While Palisades seemingly couldn’t miss from long range, the Yankees were 0-for-8 on three-point attempts and hindered their chances more by missing half of their 22 free throws. Louis Walker scored 11 points for Hamilton (6-14 overall, 2-4 in league).
Palisades increased its lead after every quarter and every player contributed to the victory. Will Johnson led the way with a season-high 28 points, including six three-pointers. Zach Lynch had 11 points (with three three-pointers), Nick Kerkorian and Jeron Artest each made one three-pointer and finished with seven points.
Center George Brown had four points and Chris Kurihara, Bailey Jones and Angel Villalta each added one three-point basket for the Dolphins, who outscored the Yankees 15-7 in the first eight minutes, built a 32-19 halftime lead and began the fourth quarter with a 20-point cushion.
“Of course I’m happy that we won, but I’m more happy to see us playing the right way,” Hayes said. “This was a huge confidence booster for us, especially after going to overtime with LACES.”
Palisades (8-12, 2-4) travels to first-place Westchester (17-5, 6-0) on Friday.
— Steve Galluzzo
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