Hennessey topples Hooker to clinch state berth

Layton Choate continues to make sure his senior basketball season is a memorable one.

Choate once again played a major role in a Hennessey victory, this one landing the Eagles in the state tournament.

Hennessey dominated No. 7 Hooker in the fourth quarter last Friday to pull out a 54-45 win in their Class 2A area title game.

That cemented the fourth-ranked Eagles in this week’s state tournament bracket. It’s the ninth time the program has reached state; five of them have been under the tutelage of head coach Brady Page.

“We made some big plays in the second half,” Page said. “But we were really good in the fourth quarter.”

Trailing by a point entering that last eight minutes, Hennessey closed on a 22-12 run.

Choate went 8 of 9 from the free throw line during that stretch to not only ensure Hennessey maintained its lead, but extended it.

He did plenty before that as well.

Choate had at least two field goals in each of the first three quarters.

He ended the night with a game-high 24 points on 7 of 12 shooting.

Choate also had eight assists and five steals.

“He’s been a major factor for us, especially in big games,” Page said.

Jael Torres also delivered in the fourth with eight points.

The junior post nailed a 3-pointer and also had a three-point play. He ended his night with 14 points and eight boards.

James Sims was held scoreless in the first half, but scored nine points over the final two quarters.

Hunter Weber had four of his seven points in the fourth.

“He had two big plays in that fourth quarter,” Page said.

And Hooker couldn’t match them.

The Bulldogs were led by Jaxson Parker’s 11 points, but he was held scoreless in the fourth.

Kleat Martens scored six of his 10 in the fourth quarter.

Hennessey (23-3) last made state in 2019 when it made a run to the Class 2A state title game.

During Page’s tenure, HHS also qualified in 2012, 2015 and 2018.

The Eagles enter this year’s tournament with a 12-game win streak.