It was another strong week of basketball action for the Hillsboro Varsity team who added two more wins to their season total. The Hawks managed to knock off both Kingston and Perryville to improve their record to 18-6. With only two more games left in the regular season, the squad is taking every opportunity to sharpen its talons before the District Tournament.
It was a solid effort last Wednesday, February 16th, as the Hawks defeated the Cougars in the first game of the week. Hillsboro was pushed in the first quarter as they narrowly outscored Kingston 21-17 in the opening eight minutes. Then the second quarter was an offensive stalemate as both teams added only nine, giving the Hawks a narrow four-point lead going into the break, 30-26.
It was a tight race all the way to the finish line. The lead remained the same after the third quarter as both teams posted 18. Eventually, Hillsboro created some breathing room late in the final frame, rallying for 22 to Kingston’s 19, giving the Hawks the win by the score of 70-63.
Hillsboro shot an impressive 81 percent from the field, including making 13 of their 16 free-throw attempts. Noah Holland did the majority of the heavy lifting, scoring 27 points which included five three-pointers, while also grabbing eight rebounds. Kyle Phipps had an excellent night as well, adding 21 points, including three from beyond the arc. Kieran Jones notched 15 more and also grabbed six rebounds.
The second game of the week went down a little differently than the first, as Hillsboro absolutely crushed Perryville. This game got out of control quickly as the Hawks unloaded 28 points in the first quarter, and 27 more in the second. The Pirates were completely outclassed, as the first-half score was 55-20. Hillsboro continued to lay it on with 26 more in the third, before downshifting in the fourth quarter, as they coasted to an unheard of 67 point victory, 93-26.
The team shot an impressive 75% from inside the arc, also making 12 of 14 free throws. Individually, two Hawks posted incredible numbers. Phipps unleashed a 40-point barrage, shooting a remarkable 70 percent from the field, and Holland was at it again as well with an amazing 32-point performance, also shooting 70 percent.
With these two victories, the momentum keeps rolling for Hillsboro who have now won four in a row. Next week, the Hawks will finish up the regular season with a trip to Union, followed by another away game against rival Festus. This is the final week before the District Tournament, and the Hawks would love nothing more than to finish the season on a high-note.
