News editor
The Hillsboro boys’ basketball team battled Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson to the wire Tuesday but ended its season with a 48-42 loss in the first round of substate play.
The Trojans got the fast start they wanted, racing to a 14-5 lead on the Celtics’ home court.
Hillsboro losses during the season were frequently characterized by just one poor quarter, and it happened again Tuesday in the second.
Hutch Trinity came back with a 10-0 run, taking the lead 15-14. The Trojans kept pace from there, trailing 20-19 at the half.
Hillsboro regained its early game form to start the second half, putting together a run of its own to build an 6-point lead. But the offense stalled again as Hutch Trinity carried a 32-30 lead into the final quarter.
A 5-0 run by the Celtics gave them a 37-30 advantage, and the Trojans got no closer than 2 the rest of the way.
Free throws were the winning difference for Hutch Trinity. The Celtics went to the line 29 times and made 19, while the Trojans dropped just 4 charities in 17 trips.
The Celtics also neutralized the inside game of Austin Cross, who was held to just 1 point.
Micah Allen led the Trojans with 20 points.
The Trojans ended the season with a record of 9-12.