Kris Morales is a Cronkite Arizona State University student assigned to cover McClintock High School for AZPreps365.com

MESA— McClintock High School's early-season hot streak came to an end Friday night as the Chargers fell to Hamilton High School in a game that came down to the wire, 65-64.

McClintock tried to find a rhythm from the start but it seemed as if the odds were against its favor. The Chargers had a total of eight fouls in just the first quarter. In addition the McClintock bench was assessed a technical foul, as did Chargers coach Samuel Dentz, who was then barred from straying from his seat  had to sit on his seat for the rest of the game.

“It's not the first time I’ve had to sit down," said coach Dentz. "I’m a pacer so to have to sit down it was an adjustment but, we had great energy on the bench tonight. I have a great staff that keeps the team energized, I don’t think it was a factor tonight.”

McClintock was unable to stake itself to a commanding early lead as it had the past two games in the Fear The Hop Thanksgiving Tournament. After one quarter, the Chargers only led by one, 16-15.

In the second quarter McClintock got off to a fast start, but Hamilton's defense stiffened. At the half the Chargers led, 30-24. 

In the second half Hamilton flipped the switch and began making plenty of mid-range jumpers. The fourth quarter is where McClintock began to pay for a copious amount of fouls earlier in the contest. Erenzo Scroggins fouled out with six minutes to play and Jaylen Wesley picked up his fifth and final foul four minutes later. Scroggins and Wesley had been McClintock's two leading scorers in this tournament. 

Those blows still did not knock out the Chargers. With one minute remaining junior shooting guard Shakur Davis knocked down a clutch three, then followed on the next possession with two clutch free throws with 36.2 seconds left to play. That put McClintock up 64-63.

Hamilton was sent to free throw line with 14.9 seconds left and made both shots to take a 65-64 lead. Senior guard Pascal Volz attempted a three pointer for the Chargers at the buzzer but it rimmed in and out of the hoop.

“I’m upset we didn’t win the game," said Volz. "All odds were against us, to be honest. From hearing people say you guys are going to lose by nine, ten points. Obviously I’m mad I missed the game-winning shot but we have to move forward and just play the game and win as the goal is to get to the state championship.” 

Hamilton will now advance and play in the championship game facing the host, Mesa High School. McClintock will face Desert Mountain High School in a consolation game for third place.  

Conference play begins next week for the Chargers as they face Tempe rivals Marcos de Niza and Tempe High. "This isn’t the last big game we plan on playing in so I told the guys next time we are in this moment just remember what it felt like," said coach Dentz. "Remember what you could’ve done differently and next time we are here lets end it differently and I’m proud of my guys.”