Panthers too strong for sliding Trojans

Nickerson easily downs Hillsboro boys, 55-22

Hillsboro High School Trojans are suffering their toughest season ever under coach Darrel Knoll. The Trojans have been struggling all year, and Friday night against the visiting Nickerson Panthers was no exception.

The Panthers held the Trojans to a season-low nine field goals while 6-foot-6 standout Troy Smith’s 25 points alone outscored Hillsboro in the 55-22 contest.

The loss keeps Hillsboro winless in MCAA play at 0-8 and 2-15 overall.

The Panthers opened with a 12-1 run.

Nickerson blew the lid off the game by halftime, taking a commanding 33-9 lead and shooting 13-for-20 from the floor.

The Panther lead would eventually grow to 46-17 after the third quarter and the continuous clock made for a short fourth quarter.

Hillsboro’s night ended with shooting 26 percent from the floor while the Panthers scorched the net for 56 on 22-for-39.

The Trojans wrap up their next to last week of regular season playing Friday when they travel to Marion for tipoff at 7:30 p.m.