One possession had both sides talking and summed up Hamlin’s Northeast Conference boys’ basketball win at Roncalli Gym Tuesday night.

The second-rated Chargers showcased their ball movement during a 65-30 win over Aberdeen Roncalli. During one sequence late in the first half, Hamlin rotated the ball around the perimeter multiple times before capping it with a 3-pointer.

“We’ve been preaching a lot about good one to great one, as far as moving it,” said Hamlin coach Todd Neuendorf, “and there was a possession I thought last in the first half, when the ball touched every guy’s hand and finished with Dawson (Noem) over in the corner for a three, and you knew it was going in, because all those shots always go in when you make the extra pass.”

Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher recalled the possession well following the contest.

“There was one possession that will always stand out to me. I’m sure that I’m embellishing the numbers a little bit,” Gallagher said, “but I say it was 18 passes, just swing, swing … I thought our defense rotated on that possession really well, it’s just when they move the ball the way they do, with that type of precision, and then to end with a good look, you know as soon as they get it, it’s going in.”

Roncalli senior Brody Weinmeister also recalled that particular possession and what it was like trying to defend it.

“There was one possession where we scrambled through our rotations like four times and they still got a great look,” Weinmeister said. “We did everything we could do on defense. They just made great plays on offense.”

That possession was just an exclamation point on a night where the Chargers had everything working, especially in the first half when they missed just five shots on the way to a 42-11 lead.

“We were just moving the ball,” said Hamlin point guard Easton Neuendorf. “That’s what we preach every day, coach just says we always got to find the open man. I have a good one, my buddy has a great one.”

Meanwhile, Roncalli had a hard time finding many good shots the entire night, managing just 17 points through the first three periods.

“The way that they move the ball, tie in with their athleticism, number one it’s tough to defend, but then you add their defense pressure they can apply,” Gallagher said, “I mean any time that can hold Aiden (Fisher) to two shots and not let him score, you know you’re in trouble, you know you’re in for a long night.”

Defense is something that has been a staple for the Chargers, the defending State A champions.

“We pride ourselves on defense. Defense can always be there,” Easton Neuendorf said. “Offense just comes and goes. When it’s on it’s on, and when it’s not, you got to bunker down on the defensive end.”

Neuendorf led a balanced attack with 16 points. Jackson Wadswroth and Zac VanMeeteren each contributed 12, and Evan Stormo added 10.

Coach Neuendorf understands what he has on his hands this season.

“They’ve got everything a coach needs,” he said. “You’ve got some size, and you got kids that can shoot it, and you got speed, and then they’re smart. They know the game.”

The veteran coach said it’s as good of a team as he’s seen in the past three decades.

“I’d be hard pressed to find a team in 30 years that has had all the pieces this team has,” he said. “This is pretty good.”

You don’t have to convince Gallagher of how potent the Chargers are.

“There’s a reason they’re the defending state champs,” Gallagher said. “I think in all retrospect, I think they’re going to be right back in that position again come the end of March.”

While Hamlin appears to have all the pieces in play for another strong postseason run, Coach Neuendorf said there is still work to be done before returning to defend the state title.

“You’ve got to be in it to win it,” he said, “and there’s no guarantees that you’re getting back to the state tournament.”

Jesse Hernandez and Cam Olson each scored six points to lead Roncalli.

The Cavaliers, 6-10 on the season, host Dupree on Friday night at Roncalli Gym.

HAMLIN (14-2): Easton Neuendorf 5 2-2 16, Jackson Wadsworth 4 1-2 12, Zan VanMeeteren 5 2-2 12, Evan Stormo 3 2-2 10, Dawson Noem 1 0-0 3, Boden Stevenson 3 0-0 7, Turner Stevenson 2 0-0 5. Totals 23-39 7-8 65.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (6-10): Jesse Hernandez 3 0-0 6, Aiden Fisher 1 0-0 3, Sam Franks 1 0-0 2, Brody Weinmeister 1 0-2 2, Parker Grieben 2 0-0 4, Cam Olson 3 0-0 6, Austin Fisher 2 0-0 4, Ezra Feickert 1 0-0 3. Totals 14-36 0-2 30.

Hamlin 16 42 58 65

Aberdeen Roncalli 4 11 17 30

3-point field goals – Neuendorf 4, Wadsworth 3, Stormo 2, Noem, B. Stevenson, T. Stevenson; Aiden Fisher, Feickert. Total fouls – Hamlin 7; Aberdeen Roncalli 7. Rebounds – Hamlin  20 (VanMeeteren 8); Aberdeen Roncalli 17 (Grieben 5). Turnovers – Hamin 10; Aberdeen Roncalli 16.