Ravens Basketball January Recap
Sophomore Malia Yoder
January 11, 2023 HILLCREST AND HIGHLAND SPLIT DOUBLE DIP IN KALONA TUESDAY
Superconference doubleheader was split right down the middle Tuesday in Kalona when the Hillcrest Academy Ravens hosted the Highland Huskies. In a broadcast heard live on AM and FM KCII, the Raven boys completed a season sweep of the Huskies by a 67-13 score. An early Raven run of 22-0 spanned the entire first quarter and Hillcrest followed that with a 13-2 sprint in the second to take a 35-2 lead into the locker room. With a running clock in the second half, Hillcrest would outscore the Huskies 32-11 the rest of the way.
Grant Bender led the way for Hillcrest with 21 points, Bryce Bailey and Luke Schrock both got to double figures with 10 each. In total, eight Ravens found the score sheet. Logan Bonebrake led Highland with six points on three field goals. The Ravens improve to 7-4 this season, Highland is now 1-10.
Read more: https://www.kciiradio.com/2023/01/11/hillcrest-and-highland-split-double-dip-in-kalona-tuesday/
January 9, 2023 BEARS BEAT RAVENS SATURDAY
The Hillcrest Academy boys basketball team came up short in Kalona Saturday against Southeast Iowa Superconference South Division foe Danville 61-51. The Bears led throughout as the offenses controlled action in the first half. Danville was on top 20-14 after one and 40-30 at half. Out of the locker room it was the two team’s defenses that dictated things with Hillcrest winning the third frame 8-6, trailing by eight going to the fourth, but the Bears did enough down the stretch to keep the Ravens at arms length. Danville shot a lights out 61% from the floor in the win, helping to negate 10 made three point goals by the Ravens. The Bears also had 21 assists and just 10 turnovers.
Read more here: https://www.kciiradio.com/2023/01/09/bears-beat-ravens-saturday/
January 7, 2023 SUPERCONFERENCE SPLIT; RAVENS AND WILDCATS EACH GET ONE FRIDAY
A pair of old rivals met Friday at Hillcrest Union in Kalona when the Hillcrest Academy Ravens hosted the Columbus Wildcats in a Southeast Iowa Superconference basketball doubleheader. In a pair of games heard on AM and FM KCII, each school scored a victory. The boys contest saw the Ravens start the game red-hot on offense, en route to a 65-20 running clock win. Hillcrest started the game on a 20-8 run that lasted the entire first quarter and closed the opening half on a 20-5 run that spanned the entire second frame, leading 40-13 at the break. They would go on to win the second half 25-7, including a 13-1 fourth quarter. After the game, Hillcrest head coach Dwight Gingierch joined the broadcast to talk about the keys and standouts. “It was good to see Seth (Ours) penetrate, and it was good to see Grant (Bender) make good decisions as far as posting up and driving. It was a nice blend, and he’s so good (Bender) around the basket. That allowed him to have success early. The ball was moving, and that always helps. We did a better job taking care of the ball. Everyone played well and contributed but those two guys led the charge. We talked after the game about what they liked and the effort part is what was mentioned right away. It’s what you want to see, especially coming off of a tough loss.”
Seth Ours led the scoring for Hillcrest, putting up 19 points, 17 in the first half including three first quarter threes. Grant Bender added 16, 12 in the first half. In total, nine Ravens scored. Daniel Martinez paced Columbus with eight points. The win moves the Ravens to 6-3 on the season and 6-2 in conference. Columbus falls to 2-10 overall, 1-8 in league play.
Read more here: https://www.kciiradio.com/2023/01/07/superconference-split-ravens-and-wildcats-each-get-one-friday/
January 4, 2023 WOLVES ROLL RAVENS IN DOUBLE DIP TO START 2023
The Winfield-Mt. Union boys and girls basketball teams protected their home floor Tuesday in a Southeast Iowa Superconference doubleheader against Hillcrest Academy. In a pair of games heard live on AM and FM KCII, the No. 11 in Class 1A WMU girls put on a defensive clinic to stifle the Ravens 64-4. The Lady Wolves raced out to a 17-1 lead after the first frame and were on top 37-1 at half, enacting the running clock late in the second. They pitched another shut out in the third, outscoring the Ravens 15-0 to lead 52-1 going to the fourth. Hillcrest got their lone field goal of the contest in the final eight minutes on a jumper from Malia Yoder, with the Wolves winning the final period 8-3. After the game, WMU head coach Mendy McCreight talked about her team’s defensive effort and individual standouts. “I’ve seen a lot of good things with our defense and that side of the ball is key. Our hands tend to get into passing lanes, then we get turnovers and turn those into points. Bradie (Buffington) shot the ball well tonight. She was getting her looks, turning and knowing where to go with the ball. I was very pleased with how she stepped up. Melina Oepping and Mariana Hagmeier both played well for us.”
WMU held Hillcrest without a field goal for nearly 30 minutes, forcing more than 20 turnovers. Bradie Buffington put up 22 points to lead the Lady Wolves, Melina Oepping had 14 and Mariana Hagmeier added 11 off the bench. With the win, the Lady Wolves remain perfect at 11-0 on the year, Hillcrest falls to 0-10.
Read more here: https://www.kciiradio.com/2023/01/04/wolves-roll-ravens-in-double-dip-to-start-2023/
Articles submitted by Zach Ulin/KCII Photos by Hillcrest Academy Yearbook
