Most Memorable Performances We Saw in 2019-20: No. 19 Jake Buchanan vs. Sussex Hamilton
SUSSEX — A pair of top five ranked squads in Division 1 squared off on Dec. 21 as Sussex Hamilton hosted Kimberly in arguably the biggest non-conference game of the season.
Once again, Jake Buchanan Jake Buchanan 5'11" | PG Kimberly | 2020 State WI showed once again why he’s such a steal for Division 2 Rockhurst. Facing at the time what many people thought was the best team in the state Buchanan was the best player on the floor that day in a gym full of stars.
Buchanan might not have ideal size and measurables, but he can flat out play the game of basketball and dictate an entire game.
Baldwin and the Chargers got the win, but Buchanan and Kimberly likely felt really good about a potential rematch at the state tournament should it have taken place.
Still early in the season, the Papermakers were still finding themselves and breaking in some young players on a team that lost quite a bit from its senior class the year before. It was Hamilton that got off to a fast start and led by as many as 15 in the first half.
Once Buchanan got going, it was a different ball game. Despite Hamilton having four players in double figures, Buchanan gave the Papermakers a chance to steal a win late.
The senior point guard scored 18 of his 26 points after halftime, rallying Kimberly to get within a possession on a few occasions in the waning moments. The Chargers threw different bodies at Buchanan, including a Minnesota football commit, but it just didn’t matter. Buchanan started gaining 3-pointer after 3-pointer, including two from a few feet past the arc. In fact, he hit four triples before the 10-minute mark of the second half alone.
Thanks to clutch free throw shooting, Hamilton never really gave Kimberly a chance to send the game into overtime. Had this one gone another two or three minutes, it very well could have been Kimberly who came out on top.
Here are the full highlights from the Sussex Hamilton-Kimberly matchup:
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No. 20 – Drew Fisher Drew Fisher 6'1" | PG Oconomowoc | 2020 State WI vs. Arrowhead