Norwin forwards play key role in Section 3-6A victory over Hempfield

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, December 21, 2018 | 10:21 PM

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Norwin doesn’t have a tall lineup compared to some teams, but the forwards the Knights do possess played big roles in a foul-filled and physical Section 3-6A opener.

Sophomore 6-foot-4 forward Jayden Walker had 17 points and 6-3 senior Gianni Rizzo added 16 to power visiting Norwin past Hempfield , 69-57, on Friday night.

Sophomore guard Ty Bilinsky added 14 points for Norwin (5-1, 1-0), including three of his team’s seven 3-pointers as the Knights protected an early cushion with sound defense and some late fast-break baskets.

The Knights, who had not played since Dec. 15 in the WCCA Showcase, overcame 25 points from senior guard Reed Hipps, who had 11 in the fourth quarter but could not do it alone for Hempfield (4-3, 0-1).

“We’re not big, in the sense of 6-6, 6-6, 6-5,” Norwin coach Lynn Washowich said. “But we look at ourselves as being big because we have a bunch of 6-2s or 6-3s that are muscular and have wide bodies with good footwork and they can finish in the post. We thought coming into the game we’d have to get the ball into the post to beat Hempfield.”

The teams combined for 41 fouls. Not a huge surprise for a section opener, but a test of patience nonetheless.

“The first quarter was huge for us,” Washowich said. “You knew Hempfield was going to make a run. Because we had that lead, we were able to maintain control going into halftime, even though we didn’t play very well in the second quarter.”

Norwin shot the ball well early as it made four 3-pointers in the first quarter to build a 22-9 advantage.

“We outscored them (48-47) the rest of the way, so yes that start was big,” Hempfield coach Bill Swan said. “We didn’t get hands up on their shooters. Our game plan was to contain Bilinsky, but they had some other guys, like (Nick) Fleming and (Owen) Sabol who hit some big shots.”

Norwin, which came in allowing a section-low 47.2 points, stretched its lead to 14 in the second quarter before Hempfield pushed back to narrow the gap to five (27-22).

Rizzo’s jumper gave the Knights a 32-25 lead at the break.

Bilinsky knocked in a 3 early in the third and Walker hit two free throws to stretch it back to 11, at 43-32. Walker scored 14 in the second half.

“The second half is when we turned it on,” Walker said. “We turned our defense on a ton.”

Rizzo’s driving layup made it 47-36 heading to the fourth, when Norwin only allowed Hempfield to get to within six, at 50-44, on a slashing lay-in from Hipps.

Game-planning, Rizzo thought, was the difference for Norwin.

“We watched film on them. … We got tons of easy layups over the top of them and that helped us a lot,” Rizzo said. “Hard defense … it was a good one for us. We’re a great defensive team. Our physicality was big.”

Hempfield’s Jules Nicholls was called for an intentional foul and Norwin suddenly went back up by double-digits, at 55-44, with 3:58 left.

“The intentional foul was big,” Swan said. “We definitely needed more scoring from our other guys.”

Hempfield made 20 of 27 free throws — Hipps made 9 of 10 — but managed just two 3-pointers, both by Hipps.

Junior Drew Coletta added 10 points for Hempfield.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Hempfield, Norwin