Staff writer
With a 51-13 lead after three quarters, Hillsboro High School girls’ basketball guard Danae Bina started the fourth by diving for a loose ball into the Halstead bench. The Trojans won the game, 61-16.
While the rest of the Trojans started slowly, Bina sparked Hillsboro with relentless on-ball defense that created five steals in the first half. She also forced a five-second turnover and scored 4 points.
“She’s a great on-ball defender; very hardnosed,” head coach Nathan Hiebert said. “She comes ready to play every day.”
Bina started because she was able to practice more over the break than Stephanie Sanders, who was suffering from an illness.
Hiebert said Bina took advantage of the opportunity. The sophomore guard has relished her role as sparkplug for the Trojan defense.
Hillsboro only gave up 1 point in the first quarter and 4 points in the first half.
With the defense clicking, the Trojans rattled off 29 points in the third quarter. Tena Loewen scored 12 points in the frame. She led the team with 22 points in the game.
“It was mostly assists, the baskets in the third quarter,” Hiebert said. “That’s baskets we need to find.”
Addie Lackey was the second leading scorer with 8 points.