Trojans overpower Lyons
BY RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Not quite yet.
Looks like the Trojan boys basketball team's search for playing a full 32:00 game will have to wait for another day.
Hillsboro appeared to have Monday night's opening game of the Lyons' sub-state against the visiting Lions, firmly in hand after the first quarter.
The Trojans came out on fire, making five of their first six shots, on their way to an 18-6 lead after one behind 7 for 10 from the floor.
But the Lions put up a fight in the second half, forcing the Trojans to dig down deep to advance to Thursday night's semifinal game.
Hillsboro, 69. Lyons, 47.
"I thought we played really hard in the first half," Trojan coach Darrell Knoll said. "It was hustle the whole first half, and I was pretty pleased with what we did.
"Even though at times it looked ragged, the effort was great."
The Trojans got off to a quick start, bolting for an 8-0 run in the opening 2:28 of the game, getting four points off of Lions' errors.
Hillsboro appeared to want to blow the game open in the first quarter.
The Trojans had three chances for points in transition but couldn't take advantage of the high percentage shots.
The Trojans had a hard time staying consistent with the big lead.
The Lions got a 6-0 run late in the second quarter before Hillsboro scored four unanswered to go up 36-20 at halftime.
With no player on its roster taller than 6-foot-1, it was nearly impossible for Lyons to match up inside.
That allowed Adam Woods to score 13 of his career-high 19 points in the first half, picking up six points off second chance baskets.
Ross Duerksen added 13 more points while Layne Frick and Tyler Peachey tossed in 10 a piece.
Hoping to match their first half intensity, the Trojans had several lapses in the third quarter where they looked flat.
Lyons opened the second half on an 8-2 run to claw its way back into the game, 38-28, with 5:18 left in the third quarter.
"What we wanted to do was come out with the same type of effort the second half," Knoll said. "It seemed like we were a little bit flat there in the third quarter and part of the fourth."
Just when the Lions crept back in, pulling to nine twice in the third, the Trojans' defense gave Lyons no chance at getting any closer.
Dustin Jost knocked down a triple to end the third quarter giving Hillsboro the momentum again, up 51-34.
Only the Trojans' offensive execution sputtered through the first 4:00 of the fourth quarter.
After Frick's basket just over 3:00 in, Hillsboro went nearly 2:00 without a field goal.
Wanting to conserve the clock, Lyons put the Trojans at the free throw line six times in the closing 3:00.
Duerksen and Peachey each hit a perfect 6 for 6 to keep stretching the Trojans' lead.
"It's all about execution," Knoll said. "Hopefully we can play a more complete game Thursday.
The 18-3 Trojans will take on Hesston in Thursday night's semifinal round at Lyons.
Hillsboro 69, Lyons 47
Lyons - 6 14 14 13 47
Hillsboro-18 18 15 18 69
Hillsboro: Andy Brubacher 2, Tyler Weinbrenner 4, Frick 10, Jost 7, Duerksen 13, Steve Chisholm 2, Peachey 10, Woods 19, Shawn Hughbanks 2, Totals 24-47 (1) 20-24 69.
