Hampshire can't contain Rockets

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By the time Hampshire caught up with Richmond-Burton's Brad Johnstin on Saturday, the Rockets had already run away and hid.

Johnstin carried R-B to a 54-43 Big Northern East victory, scoring all 21 of his points on a career-best seven three-pointers.

The senior sharpshooter drained five of those triples in the opening quarter and went 6-for-6 from long range in the first half as the Rockets (11-11, 6-2) built a 28-16 halftime advantage.

Hampshire (11-11, 5-4) trailed by as many as 15 points and got within five in the closing minute, but couldn't overcome the scintillating shooting by Johnstin, who bombed away from well beyond the arc.

"He was smokin'," said Whip-Purs coach Bob Barnett. "I know we're young, but that's getting old. The young excuse is out the window.

"If you've got a kid making six threes in the first half, then you aren't recognizing where people are at."

Hampshire hung around long enough to make things a bit interesting late. Senior forward T.J. Burzak scored 17 of his game-high 23 points in the second half.

Playing his final home game and the last official contest in Hampshire's gym, Burzak got his team within 48-43 after completing a three-point play with 42 seconds left.

But R-B slammed the door shut by going perfect from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. They made all 12 of their attempts, including an 8-for-8 performance by senior guard Nick Mercurio.

The Rockets are still alive in the Big Northern East race, trailing Burlington Central by a game.

Junior guard James Goebbert scored 10 points and made some key plays late to keep Hampshire within reach.

But R-B hung tough, avenging a 59-46 loss to Hampshire on Jan. 11.

"I knew they'd shoot better this time," said Barnett.

With Hampshire preparing to move into a new field house next season, Burzak and the Whips were hoping for a more memorable exit.

"We played pretty bad in the first half and then we came out strong in the second half, but we just couldn't finish," said Burzak. "I wish we could have come out and closed it down with some pride."

Barnett, in his sixth season at Hampshire, wasn't about to get caught up in any nostalgia.

"Have you seen the new building? I'm not going to miss this," he said. "I would have liked to see the last game be a win, but we've got more important things going on than worrying about a gym."