Engineers romp behind Hampton

With DePaul University assistant coach Nicci Hays-Fort looking on, Keisha Hampton gave an up-close look of what the Blue Demons can expect when the 6-foot-2 center arrives in Chicago.

From the herculean effort Hampton put forth last night, expect DePaul head coach Doug Bruno to receive a glowing report. Actually, an out-of-this-world report.

Hampton poured in a career-high 40 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, blocked four shots, and made two steals to power Engineering and Science to a 55-36 rout of Allentown Central Catholic in a PIAA Class AAA second-round state playoff matchup at Norristown.

"I was pretty loose before the game," Hampton said. "I just came out and let things flow. It seemed like I had scored a lot of points, but I didn't know it was 40."

Hampton netted 21 points in the first half as the Engineers sprinted to a 20-8 lead and held a commanding, 24-10 edge at intermission.

In 31 minutes of action, Hampton shot 17 for 23 from the field and 6 for 9 from the line. In the second half, the senior knocked down 8 of 9 field-goal attempts. Eight of her 13 rebounds came on the offensive end.

"We didn't do a good enough job of boxing her out and taking away the things she does best," said Mike Kopp, Central Catholic's longtime head coach.

Hampton's previous high, in both high school and Amateur Athletic Union ball, was 32 points.

"For her to come out and dominate against a highly respected team like Allentown Central Catholic, one that has had a long history of success, is unbelievable," Engineers coach Joe Ryan said.

Well, not completely.

"When she gets into a good rhythm and starts feeling it, she's hard to stop," Ryan said.

The Engineers, 25-4 overall and ranked No. 6 in Southeastern Pennsylvania, will take on eighth-ranked Mount St. Joseph (26-3) on Saturday in a quarterfinal at a site and time to be determined. In a December nonleague contest, the Mount nipped E&S, 54-50, in overtime.

"I'm anxious to play them again," Hampton said. "I think we've gotten a lot better, especially on defense."

Against Allentown Central Catholic, the District 11 champions, the Engineers shot 21 for 42 from the field and 13 for 18 from the line. Senior forward Sharay Hall aided the victory with eight boards, six points and five assists.

"My role is to play tough defense, make steals, and get rebounds," Hall said. "I leave the 40-point performances to Keisha."

E&S senior guard Shamyra Hammond chipped in five points and five assists. Up-and-coming freshman Brittany Hrynko had three assists and three steals in 24 minutes.

Engineering & Science 13 11 12 19 - 55

Allentown Central Catholic 6 4 11 15 - 36

ES: Shamyra Hammond 5, Keisha Hampton 40, Sharay Hall 6, Marqesah Spicer 2, Justine Davis 2.

ACC: Taylor Maldonado 7, Colleen Nosovitch 5, Megan Derkits 3, Becky Guman 13, Jess Flamm 8.