Hampton’s Peter Kramer scores 37 in key section win over Highlands
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Tuesday, January 3, 2023 | 10:13 PM
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates in front of the Highlands bench after scoring during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer drives to the basket past Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates in front of the Highlands bench after hitting a three-pointer during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer battles Highlands’ Jordyn Tavarez for a loose ball during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer scores against Highlands during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Brennan Murray drives against Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Brennan Murray celebrates after scoring against Highlands during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates after scoring against Highlands during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst drives past Hampton’s Peter Kramer during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer scores past Highands’ Bradyn Foster during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates after scoring against Highlands during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Highlands’ Cam Reigard scores against Hampton during their game Tuesday at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer works against Highlands’ Jimmy Kunst during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
The Highlands boys basketball team observes a moment of silence for Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire before their game against Hampton on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Fans observe a moment of silence for Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire before Highlands’ game against Hampton on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates after scoring against Highlands during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer celebrates in front of the Highlands bench after hitting a three-pointer during their game on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Highlands High School.
Hampton’s Peter Kramer shushed the Highlands crowd after one of his seven 3-pointers, a celebration he downplayed later, but nobody was able to quiet the Talbots’ newest star on this night.
“I was in the moment,” said the 6-foot-4 junior, who scored a game-high 37 points as No. 4 Hampton defeated No. 3 Highlands, 73-58, in a key Section 1-4A opener for both teams.
Kramer went 7 for 11 from 3-point range, while also mixing in some mid-range jumpers and a dozen points in the paint.
“This summer I tried to work on becoming a three-level scorer and a more complete player,” Kramer said. “I’ve definitely worked on the mid-range and getting to the hoop. And I continue to work on my three-ball.”
In all, Kramer made 14 of his 27 shots.
“The variety in the ways he can score is what separates him,” Hampton assistant coach Joe Cangilla said.
This was Highlands’ first look at Kramer, who won a WPIAL title last season with Shady Side Academy. Kramer transferred home to Hampton, where he has provided the Talbots with an elite scorer this winter.
He did that again Tuesday with 25 points after halftime, shots that let Hampton (8-2, 1-0) pull away.
“This is the first time I’ve played against a lot of these teams,” he said. “It feels good to be back at Hampton.”
Highlands (7-2, 0-1) didn’t throw any unusual defenses at Kramer, choosing to stick with a traditional man-to-man scheme. They’ll have a few weeks to decide whether to take a different approach next time.
They’ll play again Jan. 27 at Hampton.
“We knew going into the game what he was capable of doing,” Highlands coach Corey Dotchin said. “All the credit goes to him. He stepped up, made some tough shots and made plays down the stretch for his team.
“We need to be better. We’ll look at the tape and do what we can do next time.”
Hampton had lost four in a row against Highlands over the past two seasons.
This first time through the section could be a feeling-out period for opposing defense facing Kramer and the new-look Talbots for the first time. He was a 16-point scorer as a sophomore.
“I do expect some kind of junk defenses in the future, to be honest with you,” Cangilla said. “Some box-and-one and stuff like that to try to take him away. Then we have to be creative with how we get him the ball.”
Cangilla led the team Tuesday in place of coach Joe Lafko, who was sick.
Hampton had three scorers in double figures. Along with Kramer, Brennan Murray had 14 points and Eric Weeks added 10.
Jimmy Kunst led Highlands with 16 points, and Brayden Foster added 15. The Rams didn’t shoot well, especially from 3-point range, and were out-rebounded by Hampton. Early foul trouble for Foster hurt the Rams on both ends of the floor.
As a team, Highlands shot 28% (7 for 25) from beyond the arc. The Rams made three 3s in the first quarter, but only four more the rest of the game.
“That’s a little bit (uncharacteristic), especially at home,” Dotchin said. “Guys are comfortable here. They shoot a ton in practice, and before and after practice. It just kind of wasn’t our night offensively.”
The first half was tight with three ties and four lead changes. The last lead change came on a layup by Murray to give Hampton a 24-23 edge with about 4 minutes left until half.
Hampton then stretched its lead to 36-28 before halftime, helped by a late three-point play by Kramer. But their lead was down to three points early in third quarter before Kramer made another deep 3, shushing what was a promising 9-2 Highlands run.
“I probably regret doing that,” Kramer said of his gesture, “but I was feeling it.”
Kramer scored 13 points in the third quarter, and Hampton led 57-48 after three. He scored 12 more in the fourth.
“Every time they’d make a big bucket late, we’d answer right away,” Cangilla said. “We kind of maintained a 10-point lead, which was huge down the stretch.”
Highlands held a moment of silence before the game for Brackenridge police chief Justin McIntire, who was killed Monday. The Rams also emerged from the locker room carrying two flags to honor police officers.
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
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