It was an upsetting night for the Hillsboro Boys Varsity Basketball team, as their four-game win streak was snapped. On Tuesday, February 1st, the Hawks traveled to Cape Girardeau to take on the Tigers of Cape Central High School. Unfortunately, the Tigers edged out the previously red-hot Hawks to give Hillsboro their sixth loss of the season. This was their only game of the week, as the rescheduled Festus game was once again cancelled.
It was an evenly played contest, but the Tigers jumped out to an early lead and never faltered. The first quarter ended with Hillsboro behind 15-11. The Hawks fought back in the second, knocking the deficit to only three-points, as they went into the intermission behind 25-22.
The steady play continued from both squads in the third as Cape Central spread the difference back to four points after putting up 18 to Hillsboro’s 17. The fourth quarter saw much of the same as Cape Central crept further ahead, eventually taking the victory 56-50.
The Hawks just couldn’t do enough damage offensively, but at the very least it was a consistent outing. The team shot 49 percent from the floor, and 75 percent from the charity stripe. Their long range game was solid, as they went seven for 17 from beyond the arc, good for 41 percent.
Putting up some impressive numbers himself was Kyle Phipps, who knocked down 22 points. Luka Pool was the next highest point scorer with 11, while Noah Holland also contributed nine. Phipps also got it done on the glass as well, pulling down seven rebounds. Just off his pace with six boards was Kieren Jones.
The Hawks are now sitting at 14-6, and need a strong push to finish the season in contention for the number one district seed. With only six regular season games left, each one is an opportunity for individual improvement, and team cohesion, something that is necessary to be successful at any level. Hillsboro now must face Cape Notre Dame followed by DeSoto, next week, but will at least have the luxury of playing both games at home.
