Trojans get key road victory
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
A team's strength of schedule can pay dividends when it comes to sports.
In a day where playing tough competition can pick up votes toward higher rankings and respect, that's never much of a problem for the Trojans when it comes to taking on formidable foes.
Facing teams like defending 3A state champion and top-ranked Wichita Collegiate and unbeaten Cheney might have given Hillsboro (4-2) a boost Friday as a big second half helped secure a 60-46 victory at fourth-ranked Hoisington (5-1).
The Cardinals were previously unbeaten, but two of their five victories came at the expense of 1A Claflin and Pawnee Heights, flailing 4A Larned, and a Smoky Valley Viking team playing without one of the state's leading scorers in Chase Dippel.
Clay Shewey scored a game-high 25 points for the Trojans, 16 in the first half, knocking down a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line and shooting an overall 98-13 from the floor.
The Trojans trailed 18-15 after the first quarter, but Hoisington standout Cameron Horesky's physical play slowed him down, as he eventually finished with a mere 13 points.
Shewey kept the Trojans in the game, knotting the game up at 32 by halftime.
Hillsboro was hot from the floor, shooting 51 percent and 4 — 8 from outside with Gavin Serene flushing a trio of threes to finish with 11 points.
David Loewen got going the second half, helping the Trojans outscore Hoisington 13-8, giving his team a 45-40 lead to close out the third quarter.
Loewen finished with his second consecutive double-double of 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Trojans held the Cardinals to just 2-13 from downtown, and 36 percent for the game, while Hillsboro shot an impressive 16-19 from the free-throw line.
Hillsboro played Monday at Nickerson which was a Dec. 14 make-up game.
The Trojans make another long road trip Friday to Ellinwood for an around 8 p.m. tip.
