FALCONS GET GIRLS GAME; RAVENS WIN BOYS IN SUPER CONFERENCE SPLIT TUESDAY

**Senior Esther Hughes takes one to the hoop against the Falcons on Tuesday evening.**

Article submitted by Zach Ulin/KCII

The Hillcrest Academy Raven boys and girls basketball teams welcomed the Louisa-Muscatine Falcons to Hillcrest Union Tuesday night for a Super Conference double dip. The Falcon girls won the opener 44-22. Hillcrest led 10-8 late in the first quarter but a six minute drought paired with a 16-2 L-M run put the Ravens down 23-12 at half. The L-M defense was again stingy in the third, holding the Ravens without a field goal for the first 11 minutes of the second half in building a lead as large as 25. Class 2A’s leading scorer Kaylee Corbin had a game high 16 points to lead the Falcons. Esther Hughes had nine to lead Hillcrest. The Ravens fall to 1-12 overall with the loss.

The boys game saw the Ravens snap a short two game losing streak with a 51-25 victory, completing a season sweep of the Falcons. The Raven defense was stifling in the first half, allowing just eight Falcon points and three made field goals in rolling to a 24-8 lead at the break. Hillcrest outscored L-M 18-11 in the third to open a lead as large as 27 in the second half. After the game, Raven head coach Dwight Gingerich talked about his team’s defensive effort and individual standouts. “We were pretty stingy defensively, made it difficult on them, taking away ball reversal and they turned it over. For the most part we had to really grind it out. Grant (Bender) played really well. His decision-making was very good, he moved the ball, along with his shooting he had some really nice passes tonight too. Really his game continues to elevate. It was good to see Seth (Ours) knock down a couple of threes. Aiden Krabill had a couple of really nice buckets tonight and his decision-making with his passing was good. Josiah Beachy played hard. Bryce (Bailey) came in and gave us some nice minutes tonight. Really all of our guys are playing together pretty well, so I’m pleased with the effort of each of the guys.”