Josiah Hammons waits his turn, sparks Curie past Hillcrest

One of the major criticisms of high school basketball right now is the transfer issue. Players have always transferred, but recently they have been announcing it on Twitter as if it was a college commitment. It’s all much more public.

Players jockey for the best spots on the best teams all over the state. There are hundreds of transfers every year. You need to play to get a scholarship, so no one wants to waste valuable years on the bench.

That makes Josiah Hammons unique. He has been on Curie’s lower-level teams or the bench for the last three years. He basically didn’t get any game time at all last season as a junior.

“He’s been waiting on his time,” Condors coach Mike Oliver said. “He’s been here four years. He’s always been able to shoot, we just didn’t have any playing time for him.”

Hammons is making the most of his opportunity. Ramean Hinton is Curie’s star, but Hammons stepped up and made several big shots to help lead the No. 8 Condors to a 70-47 win against No. 16 Hillcrest in the Team Rose Shootout on Saturday at Mount Carmel.

“[Sitting on the bench] was devastating,” Hammons said. “I’ve been waiting on this for a long time. This year, I put in the work in the summer and stepped up. It is my turn.”

Hammons scored 14 points. Hinton led the Condors (5-0) with 25 points and 12 rebounds.

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Hinton is the only starter back from the team that dominated the area for most of last season. When freshman Kamarion Cobb entered the game for Hillcrest, jawing and bumping with Hinton, it became apparent what the strategy was.

“They try and talk and get in my head,” Hinton said. “They know I can just take off for a minute. That is their goal. I can change now and not give them what they want. I’m used to it now. That’s the key, just don’t let teams get in my head and play through it.”

Curie led 27-22 at the half and opened the third quarter with a 17-4 run to take control. Jakobi Heady was the only Hillcrest player who seemed on his game. The junior scored 31 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots.

“I’m an all-around player, I can do whatever is asked of me,” Heady said. “Curie’s a tough team, but I’m ready to play any time.”