Ravens battle back, come up short in district semi at WMU

By Jeff Yoder/ The News

After scoring just 12 points in the first half at Winfield-Mt. Union on Thursday, the Hillcrest Ravens came out of the locker room determined to be more aggressive. 

Grant Bender hit all four of his free throw attempts in the final minute to cut the lead to four twice, but the Wolves were able to answer at the line on the other end to seal a 48-43 victory in the district semifinal. 

The Ravens scored nine points from the free throw line in the second half after not attempting any free throws in the first half. 

“We asserted ourselves more in the second half, looking to drive it and get to the free throw line,” Hillcrest coach Dwight Gingerich said. “We tightened up the defense and flat out played harder. Our pressure on the ball improved and we did a better job of denying the ball to their bigs, fronting them with backside help.”

Down eight points with under two minutes to play, Aiden Krabill and Seth Ours forced a turnover, which led to a Luke Schrock 3-pointer. 

The Ravens stole the ball on the next possession and had a chance to get the deficit to one possession, but the Wolves 6-foot-6 sophomore Abram Edwards contested the shot near the basket and the Ravens would get no closer than four. 

Edwards went 4-of-6 at the free throw line and finished with eight points. Cam Buffington was 8-of-11 at the line, totaling 22 points and 12 rebounds, including six at the offensive end. 

Schrock was 3-of-7 from the 3-point line and led the Ravens with 15 points. Bender had 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. Ours was 2-for-3 from outside to finish with six.

Krabill had three points, two assists and two steals in his final game for Hillcrest Academy. 

Read more: https://www.thenews-ia.com/stories/ravens-battle-back-come-up-short-in-district-semi-at-wmu,32861