Trinity nips Hugoton

     The Trinity Celtics never led in the opening round of the Sterling Invitational against Hugoton. That was until Celtic freshman Lucas Hammeke’s layup with 2.5 seconds remaining in the game sealed the victory over the Eagles 60-59.
      The Eagles felt no ill effects of a three-plus hour trip to the Sterling Invitational as they dominated the first quarter jumping out to a 19-6 lead.
     The Celtics wouldn’t go away quietly. With 1:09 left in the half the Celtics knotted the score at 29-29. Two Carlos Montiel free throws with forty-seven seconds helped the Eagles regain the lead, 31-29 at the half.
      Hugoton would once again jump out to a quick 8 point lead 39-31 to start the third and finish the quarter up by 9, 52-43.
    The fourth quarter saw the Celtics once again whittle away at the Eagle lead finally chopping it to one point with just under 40 seconds left. With 7 seconds remaining Hammeke took the inbound pass and drove for a left-handed layup to give Trinity the win.
     Hugoton was led by Mitchell Hamlin with 19 and Damien Lewis with 16. The Celtics were led by Kaleb Hammeke with 19 and Alex Hammersmith and Connor Remar with 13.
    Trinity will face Beloit in the second semi-final on Thursday while the Eagles will meet Remington in the 3 pm consolation game.