Jost, Loewen help Hillsboro boys down Panthers, 54-44

Daniel Jost scored a game-high 21 points Friday and David Loewen added 19 as the Hillsboro High School boys’ basketball team was able to top the hosting Nickerson Panthers, 54-44.

Ben Bebermeyer, fresh off a career-high 37 points Tuesday in a victory against Haven, added 10.

The Trojans lift their record to 10-6 overall and 6-2 in MCAA play, while the Panthers fall to 7-9 and 2-6.

Hillsboro started slow, jumping out to a seven-point lead, and by the time Nickerson could get anything going, it was facing a 15-point deficit.

The low-scoring first quarter ended with the Trojans on top, 9-2, and 25-12 by halftime.

Hillsboro pushed its lead to 36-21 to start the fourth quarter — its first three quarters enough to render the Panthers’ furious 23-point fourth quarter effort.

The Trojans faced a tough road game Tuesday at upstart Ellinwood before wrapping up the week at home Friday against struggling Marion.

Friday’s game time is set for around 8 p.m.