Lady Trojans trounce Smoky Valley
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
On a night honoring nine seniors that have played on many an outstanding team, Hillsboro's elder stateswomen didn't disappoint Tuesday night as the Lady Trojans defeated visiting Smoky Valley 51-32.
The contest was the Trojans' last home game of the season. They now carry a record of 16-4 into substate, which begins Monday at Lyons.
The Trojans shot a strong 49 percent from two-point range while keeping their usual defensive intensity for the entire contest. Shannon Kroeker led the team in scoring with 15.
The Trojans smothered the visiting Vikings in the first half. Hillsboro ran out to a 11-0 lead before Smoky Valley made its first field goal of the game. A multitude of Viking turnovers gave Hillsboro a 13-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Smoky Valley got back in the game in the second quarter with increased defensive pressure. It worked — with 4:23 left in the half, Hillsboro had racked up six fouls to S.Vs.'s one.
Sharp outside shooting by the Vikings got them back in the game fast. With 1:02 left in the half, Smoky Valley had narrowed Hillsboro's lead to 18-11.
At halftime, the Trojans held onto a 22-14 lead, despite being outscored during the second quarter 12 to 9.
Smoky Valley kept clawing back into the third quarter. With 2:55 left, they had narrowed Hillsboro's lead to six. But Robyn Penner's two-point shot with a minute left in the third bumped the lead back up to seven, 34-17.
The fourth quarter was all Hillsboro. By the 3:44 mark, the Trojans held a commanding 44-26 lead. They went on to win 51-32.
Head Coach Becky Carlson was happy with her team's effort.
"We played hard," she said. "I don't think we gave up many offensive rebounds; when we stole the ball we didn't turn it back over. We executed our offense.
"We play really hard on the defensive end, and I want us to work as hard on offense. I think we're getting there."
The Trojans now travel to sub-state on Monday at Lyons. Brackets had not been released at press time.
Ellinwood
The Trojans didn't have much trouble with visiting Ellinwood Friday night. They defeated the Eagles 48-34.
Hein had a strong night, with 13 points, 4 steals, three assists and three rebounds. Kroeker added 15 points, and Hefley had 10.
As the game got underway, the score stayed tight for much for the first quarter, thanks in part to some tough backcourt pressure by Ellinwood. At the 4:28 mark, Hillsboro led 5-2.
On the next possession, point guard Jill Hein made a quick steal and got downcourt for the two-pointer, making the score 7-2.
Hillsboro would go on a 9-0 run before Ellinwood was able to make another basket. The Trojans ended the first quarter with a promising 15-4 lead.
Hillsboro continued to pump up its lead in the second. With 4:40 left in the half, Amber Hefley's three-point shot made the score 22-8, Hillsboro. But Ellinwood answered with a nothing-but-net three of its own, keeping them within striking distance at 25-13.
The Trojans took a 28-14 lead into halftime.
Both teams remained scoreless for the first 2:14 of the half until a Sara Thiessen shot made the score 30-14. Five more points by Hein and the Trojans led by more than 20 points, 39-18. Hein had an amazing third quarter.
The fourth quarter found the Ellinwood Eagles struggling to stay in the game, but eventually the team gave in to a 48-34 loss.
