BOYS BASKETBALL Bailey Ball
Photos and Story
By Mike Maddock
Mike@TheColumbiaStar.com

Hammond's Tyler Bailey drives past Cardinal Newman's Jordan Willett. Bailey led the Skyhawks with 18 points. Willett had three for the Cardinals.

The Hammond Skyhawk's Bailey brothers, Tyler and Daniel, started Tuesday, Jan. 30's game with the visiting Cardinal Newman Cardinals a little shaky. Each had their first shots rejected by the duo of Trey Colman and Michael Littlejohn, but, undeterred, they led Hammond over Cardinal Newman 60- 54.

Tyler Bailey drove to the basket time and time again netting 10 points in the first half and another eight in the second. Daniel, Tyler's younger brother and Skyhawk season leading scorer, took to the outside, draining two three- pointers in the first period giving Hammond an 18- 15 advantage at the end of one.

The Cardinals' Trey Colman exploded for 10 points in the second period including a three- pointer at the end of the first half to give the Cardinals a 31- 26 lead at the break.

The Skyhawks roared back to start the third period thanks to Steven Harvin's six straight points putting them up 32- 31. The Hammond defense allowed Cardinal Newman just seven points the entire third period and took a 39- 38 lead into the final period.

Cardinal Newman's Trey Colman tries to stop Hammond's Daniel Bailey. Colman led all scorers with 21 points. Bailey had 17.

The Cardinals did benefit from their own potent duo. Littlejohn scored 17 points and Coleman finished with a game- high 21. The Cardinals briefly regained the lead after Colman's first basket of the fourth period, but Cliff Ayer's three- point shot from the corner gave the Skyhawks the lead for good at 42- 40.

Tyler Bailey continued his assault on the basket in the fourth period hitting two shots and four free throws, while Daniel went four for four from the free throw line and added a breakaway dunk much to the delight of the Hammond student section.

The Skyhawks improve to 14- 6 (4- 2) and will host Ben Lippen Friday Feb. 2. The Cardinals drop to 10- 11 (2- 4) and will travel to Greenville to face St. Joseph next.

Cardinal Newman: Trey Colman 21, Michael Littlejohn 17, Alex Kubas 7, Jordan Willett 3, Michael Nerbun 2, Jake Motto 2, Nick Maas 1, Zach Hrovat 1

Hammond: Tyler Bailey 18, Daniel Bailey 17, Steven Harvin 10, Cliff Ayers 9, Wilson McWilliams 2, Josh Walters 2, Chase Loveless 2