Trojan girls push pas rival Marion
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
Marion may have gone into Tuesday night's sub-state game with a 9-10 record, but they sure didn't play like it.
The visiting Marion Warriors gave Hillsboro quite a fight, but in the end, clutch free-throw shooting propelled the Lady Trojans to a 53-48 win in the first round of the sub-state tournament.
With the victory, the Trojans advance to round two, where they'll face Southeast of Saline Friday night at Lyons. Southeast of Saline also had a tough first round, narrowly beating Ellinwood Tuesday night 65-59.
In Hillsboro, although the score stayed tight for much of the third quarter, the Trojans got the extra push they needed in the fourth quarter and were able to convert on clutch free throws. That, combined with the Trojans' trademark tenacious defense, sealed the win.
The first quarter of the game, Hillsboro found its offensive rhythm quickly, making almost every shot. Point guard Jill Hein was on fire, draining four three-pointers. Thanks to Hein, the Trojans had a 19-11 lead by the end of the first period.
Marion battled its way back into the game midway through the second quarter. With just over four minutes remaining, a failed Marion free throw turned into an offensive rebound and putback for the Warriors, who cut Hillsboro's lead to 20-17.
Another basket by Marion's Amy Tajchman, and Hillsboro held on to a slim 20-10 lead. They took a 24-20 advantage into halftime.
Marion's big push came in the third quarter. Warriors sophomore Brandi Peterie scored two straight points to tie the score at 24, and a wide-open three by Maggie Powers gave Marion a 28-26 lead — their first of the night.
The teams traded the lead for most of the quarter. With 45 seconds left, a fall-away shot by Hein finally gave the Trojans a three-point lead, 39-36. Then a wide-open shot just inside the arc by Amber Hefley gave Hillsboro a 41-36 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Shannon Kroeker opened the fourth quarter with an inside shot for the Trojans, boosting their lead to 43-38. They held on to a 47-44 lead with three minutes to go in the game, and a key steal by Jenna Jost at 2:30 got the ball back into Hillsboro's hands.
The final two minutes of the game were fought at the free-throw line — and the Trojans won that battle. Foul shots by Hefley, Shelby Estelle, Holly Lindsay, and Hein finalized the Trojans' 53-48 win.
It was a tougher win than Head Coach Becky Carlson had expected.
"They played great — Marion played great," she said.
"We didn't get a lot of shots to fall, but I don't think we played bad," Carlson said. "I think we were a little impatient, but Marion just got on a roll."
The fourth quarter was key for the Trojans.
"We just ran our offense until we got layups, and we got some turnovers," Carlson said.
hillsboro 53, marion 48
Kroeker 15, Penner 2, Peachey 2, Hein 18, Thiessen 5, Hefley 9, Estelle 1, Lindsay 1. Totals 13-34 5-13 12-19 53.
