Back home Thursday night to play Rome Catholic, the Hamilton boys basketball team, now no. 11 in the state Class D rankings, continued to surge, beating the Red Wings 67-52.
Rome Catholic focused its entire defense on containing the Emerald Knights’ hottest player, Derrick Cenicola — and did so, holding him to six points.
But all that did was allow for a new star to emerge on Hamilton’s side.
Coley Graham, thrust into a larger role in this game, did not disappoint, leading Hamilton with 19 points. Graham’s hot shooting helped the Emerald Knights steadily build a 61-38 lead through the first three periods before the starters sat in the late going.
Matt Broedel, propelled by a pair of 3-pointers, earned 14 points on the night, while Nate Steward finished with eight points.
On Tuesday night, Hamilton (8-2) will host neighbor and rival Morrisville-Eaton before going to West Canada Valley Friday to seek revenge for a Dec. 15 loss to the defending Section III Class C champion Indians.