Freshman Hamilton scores 1,000th point for CCA

Published 10:43 am Friday, March 3, 2023

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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Chilton Christian Academy freshman guard Cayman Hamilton needed just two seasons in the Patriots program to surpass the 1,000-point mark in his varsity career. On Feb. 21, Hamilton posted 24 points in the Patriots 60-47 sub-state round win over Clay County Christian Academy and surpassed the mark.

“As his coach, it is quite an achievement for any player to reach 1,000 points. For a ninth grader to be able to do it … requires the older players on the team to be willing to allow that person the opportunity to display their ability,” CCA coach Shanon Hamilton said. “As a father, I appreciate the fact it is one of those situations where hard work pays off. Cayman puts the time in, getting shots up and working on offensive skills. I am very proud of him and what he has been able to achieve at such an early age.”

In any athlete’s competitive nature, it may be hard to defer to someone younger than yourself — it is natural. However, Shanon Hamilton said CCA has had some great older players in the program that understood if they wanted to achieve their goals, Cayman needed to have an opportunity.

“They really allowed Cayman to develop, and that allowed this team and last year’s team to get to the quarterfinals,” Shanon Hamilton said. “Without Cayman’s offense, both of those seasons would look a lot different. He is not the only offensive player we have, but he definitely was a focal point in both seasons.”

Cayman Hamilton averaged a team-high 23.1 points per game this season while shooting 47% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. He led the team in steals and blocks and was second on the team in rebounds and assists.

Cayman Hamilton can score at all three levels on the floor — at the rim, the mid-range and 3-point range. Shanon Hamilton wants Cayman to challenge himself the next three seasons to get to a 90-50-40 player. That is 90% from the free throw line, 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. Hamilton was close to two of those percentages this season.

“I think that is where his game has some opportunity to grow,” Shanon Hamilton said. “Reaching that next level which is going to be somewhere in the 80-90% from the free throw line, and being consistent in his mid-range game as well as behind the arc. He has a lot of opportunity in front of him if he is able to achieve some of those goals that he has.”

CCA is losing four seniors from the team this year, which will put more of the load on Cayman Hamilton’s back on offense next season.

“He is going to be required to score next year, and who knows what next year brings, but we are going to miss those guys that we are losing,” Shanon Hamilton said. “We are going to have to have some people step up, and that includes Cayman. He is going to have to shoulder more of the load next year.”

Cayman Hamilton averaged a team-high 14.6 points per game his eighth grade season in the 2021-2022 season.