Ravens Boys Basketball Takes on Mediapolis in Season Opener
The Hillcrest Academy Ravens opened the season at Mediapolis Tuesday and lost a tough one to the Bulldogs 50-35. The Ravens hung in there for three quarters before going cold and being outscored 14-4 in the final frame.
Hillcrest overcame an early 4-2 deficit to lead 9-6 after five minutes of play. Foul trouble sent senior guard, Noah Miller, to the bench and the Bulldogs were up 14-11 after one quarter, a lead they would not relinquish.
Down 22-20 at the half, Hillcrest struggled to score the first four minutes of the third period and trailed 34-20 before going on a 11-0 run to close within 34-31. A late bucket gave Mepo the lead at 36-31 to close the third. Two straight threes from the Bulldogs to open the fourth quarter proved to be a dagger and changed the complexion of the game quickly as Hillcrest was suddenly down 42-31. Mediapolis worked the clock on possessions the rest of the way, forcing the Ravens to gamble for steals, and the Bulldogs took advantage.
Hillcrest next plays Friday night at home against Wapello.
Junior Grant Bender scored 11 points to lead Hillcrest. Classmate Luke Schrock and freshman Seth Ours had seven points apiece, and junior Jace Rempel knocked down two treys for six points. Schrock and senior Aiden Krabill had six rebounds apiece and Bender pulled down five boards. Rempel dished for three assists and Rempel and Schrock each had a pair of steals. Hillcrest was 7-9 from the line for 78 percent, but was 27 percent from the floor on a tough shooting night.
Coach Dwight Gingerich said, ” We had a tough assignment on the road in our first game, and while the effort was there, we lacked in execution and that, combined with a rough shooting night, cost us against a quality team. This gives us the opportunity to get at some things early, which has a chance to really help us. I’ve really liked the responsiveness of our guys in practice, which is always a good thing.”
Coach Dwight Gingerich said, ” We had a tough assignment on the road in our first game, and while the effort was there, we lacked in execution and that, combined with a rough shooting night, cost us against a quality team. This gives us the opportunity to get at some things early, which has a chance to really help us. I’ve really liked the responsiveness of our guys in practice, which is always a good thing.”
Hillcrest next plays Friday night at home against Wapello.