Duo combines for 46 points in sub-state win against Marion
Sports editor
Daniel Jost scored 24 points and David Loewen had 22 points and 13 rebounds Tuesday in a 67-53 first-round sub-state victory against Marion.
Playing on their home court and without the services of the injured Clay Shewey, the Trojans were up just two points at halftime, 31-29.
The Trojans trailed out of the gate, 10-8, but rallied at the end of the first quarter to take a 12-10 lead.
They built their lead to as much as eight in the second quarter, 29-21, on a Ben Bebermeyer three-pointer.
After a time-out, the Warriors scored six unanswered points to move with tow, and a basket by Eric Vogel kept MHS down by only two at the break.
The Trojans came out in the second half firing on all cylinders, creating turnovers and converting points to jump ahead 37-29.
Once again Marion would not go away despite trailing 45-32 midway through the third quarter.
A Loewen basket with less than two minutes to go pushed the lead to 47-36, but Vogel cut the lead to nine with a basket.
On Marion’s next possession, Elliot Hett found Wil Case in the corner for a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
MHS had the momentum going into the fourth, but Hillsboro still had the lead, 47-41.
It would be nearly three minutes before Hillsboro yielded a point in the final quarter, making good on five free throws in the process.
Leading 52-43, the Trojans gave four straight points to Marion before Loewen went inside for a basket to push the lead back to nine.
The seven-point margin was as close as Marion would get as Hillsboro hit free throws and ran the clock down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
Bebermeyer was the third Trojan in double figures with 12 points on 3-of-9 shooting from behind the three-point arc.
For the game HHS shot 41.3 percent from the floor and attempted 36 free throws, making good on 24.
The Trojans were out-rebounded by Marion, 35-32, but out-played the Warriors in nearly every other statistical category.
They forced 26 turnovers against their 17, had 12 steals to Marion’s 11, and recorded three blocks to Marion’s two.
The victory ensured at least one more game for the Trojans which will be Friday at Marion. HHS will take on Sedgwick in the semifinals.
The 19-2 Cardinals defeated St. John’s Military Tuesday, 91-29 in first-round action.
The game will be played at USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center with the winner advancing to Saturday’s sub-state championship game.
The 14-7 Trojans are looking for another trip to the state tournament after losing in the sub-state championship round last year to Lyons.
A victory in the semifinals will pit the Trojans against the winner of the Hutch Trinity/ Halstead clash.