Hildreth Shines as Sussex Storm Win Under-16 NBL Title

Sussex Storm’s Cameron Hildreth exploded for 48 points to propel Sussex to an 85-67 win over Richmond Knights to claim the Under-16 Playoff title.

Hildreth added 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals, being unstoppable throughout as Richmond had no answers.

“Being MVP is amazing, absolutely amazing,” Hildreth said. “I come into the game, but I’m not thinking about being MVP, I just want to win the game. They gave us a great battle and I just did what I need to do to help our team win.”

Sussex Storm Coach Mark Richards added: “It’s been a long season, lots of ups and downs. Losing games we shouldn’t have lost, but you know, it’s nice to come out here and win at the Final Fours.”

The Knights had the best of the early going, leaping ahead following a 9-2 run. Unsurprisingly it was Hildreth that broke that streak, kicking the Storm offence into life but Sussex would trail 19-16 after the opening period

The second was a back and forth affair. As Hildreth continued to pour it on, Sussex moved ahead and established a small lead of their own. Richmond fought back behind some solid play from Ridley Shema (15 points, 9 rebounds) and Michael Belle (17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals), leaving the game poised at 38-37 Sussex by the half.

In the third, Sussex moved into a lead that they’d never relinquish. Hildreth scored 12 in the frame as the Storm took the quarter 25-16. His relentless efforts to drive the lane and attack the rim asked questions that the Knights couldn’t answer.

In the final quarter the difference stretched into double digits as Hildreth and co. rolled to a well-deserved U16 Boys Playoff title.

Box score.

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