HAMILTON — Chris Raba has spent most of his 24 years in coaching boarding the bus and riding to a holiday tournament 90 minutes away.

So, Raba and Nottingham High athletic director Kyle Kaminskas got together and decided to host the first edition of the Northstar Invitational.

It was a rousing success for the hosts.

Thomas Coleman and Quashawn Roberts combined for 28 points off the bench and Nottingham pulled away from Washington Township in the championship game for a 60-43 victory in a New Year’s Eve matinee at the Galaxy.

“All year it’s been our bench,” Raba said. “Two of our leading scorers come off the bench, so right now we like them to come off the bench and bring a lot of energy. They spark us. Good teams have points off the bench.”

Coleman made four 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 18 points and Roberts knocked in a trio of treys as part of a 10-point afternoon. Tournament MVP Harry Bisset finished with 14 points for the Northstars.

“We’ve been staying disciplined recently and we’ve been playing aggressive and quick,” Bisset said. “That’s how we play.”

Nottingham finished with eight made 3s and then did a good job of getting out in transition when its zone forced the Minutemen into turnovers.

“It opens a lot of things up,” Raba said.

The Northstars took some hits last season in a 9-17 campaign, but there off to a decent start this winter now at 4-1. Their only loss was to one of the CVC favorites in Trenton.

“Our kids have some experience back from last year and a lot of youth,” Raba said. “They play with a lot of excitement, passion and energy. I’m very excited for the upcoming new year.”

As for his New Year’s celebrations, the veteran coach will enjoy this victory.

And being at home.

“I’m just happy that we won the first Nottingham Christmas Tournament,” Raba said. “We’re excited for the upcoming year.”

WASHINGTON TWP. (43)

Aquillino 1-0-2, Vecchiarelli 3-0-9, DeNoble 1-1-3, Sansbury 3-0-7, Aries-Garrido 1-0-3, Liberi 0-0-0, Robinson 0-0-0, Mumbauer 1-0-2, Chudzinski 5-2-17, Federici 0-0-0. Totals: 15-3-43.

NOTTINGHAM (60)

Cox 1-2-4, Vazquez 3-0-6, Dormevil 1-0-2, Bisset 4-5-14, Coleman 7-0-18, Rumph 3-0-6, Roberts 3-1-10. Totals: 22-8-60.

Washington Twp. (1-6) 8 7 15 13 — 43

Nottingham (4-1) 9 18 18 15 — 60

3-point goals: Bisset, Coleman 4, Roberts 3 (N). Vecchiarelli 3, Sansbury, Aries-Garrido, Chudzinski 2 (WT).