Hillsboro is lone victor before holiday break
Staff writer
Hillsboro was the only boys team to end the calendar year with a victory, but the season isn’t over, and other county teams plan to work hard over Christmas break to bounce back strong in 2025.
Hillsboro
The Trojans dominated Southeast of Saline from start at home Thursday, winning 62-43.
“Our defense was solid,” coach Kyle Kroeker said. “We moved the ball really well on offense, and the boys were able to find great shots all night.”
Lincoln Wichert scored 18 points. Nash Dickinson scored 17.
“Noah Beavers and Anders Weisbeck did a great job cleaning up the boards,” Kroeker said.
Beavers pulled down nine rebounds, and Weisbeck pulled down seven.
“We are competing hard every single game, and this team is getting better every time they step on the court, whether in practice or game,” Kroeker said.
Hillsboro (4-2) won’t be playing again until Jan. 7 against Trinity Academy (1-3-1).
“Our shot quality is improving, and we’re playing really tough on defense,” Kroeker said. “It will be exciting to see what we can do after Christmas break.”
Marion
The Warriors dropped a game to Sterling at home Thursday night, losing 73-43.
“December has been one of growth for us on the boys side,” coach Kevin Dasenbrock said. “As a new program, we are still learning and growing as a team.”
Scoring so far this season is led by Luke Wessel, averaging 12.5 points. Carson Krause leads with an average of 2.8 assists and 3.3 steals a game. Jackson Howard has been pulling down 7.3 rebounds a game.
“The boys have completely bought in and work extremely hard to get better every day,” Dasenbrock said. “We look to get a lot of work in over break to prepare us for the long stretch in January.”
Marion (2-3) won’t play again until Jan. 7 against Wichita Classical (3-1).
“I feel like we are a couple of things being fixed away from being a very tough team,” Dasenbrock said.
Centre
The Cougars lost 65-57 Friday night at home in a hard-fought battle against Canton-Galva.
Centre trailed the first half of the game but tied it late in the third. From there, it was back and forth up until the last few minutes of the game.
A few costly turnovers allowed Canton-Galva to pull away in the end.
Senior Robert Spohn put on a show for his home crowd with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Brady Idleman finished with 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Blaise Kitzmiller scored 10 and pulled down nine rebounds.
“We may be young; that said, this team is growing up right before our eyes,” coach Richard Idleman said. “Very proud of how this group is acclimating to the varsity game.”
Centre (2-4) will be back in action on the road Jan. 7 to face Solomon (3-1).
Goessel
The Bluebirds let a much-needed victory slip through their fingers Friday night, losing 41-36 on the road to Douglass.
“It’s been a slow start for us this year,” coach Curtis Guhr said. “Between injuries and sickness we have had at least one person out almost every game to start the year. On the bright side, we have had guys step up and fill roles, gaining great experience.”
Levi Schrag hit a buzzer-beater heading into halftime to cut Douglass’s lead by one, 23-22.
Trey Gaddis went on an eight-point scoring run in the end, but it was too late.
Gaddis led the Bluebirds with 14 points, followed by Koy Smith with 12.
Goessel (0-5) will face county rival Peabody-Burns on Jan. 7.
“The guys are working hard and improving every day, and we look to get healthy and to continue to improve over Christmas break,” Guhr said.
Peabody-Burns
The Warriors played Herington Friday night but the final score was not available. Peabody-Burns will be back in action Jan. 7 against county rival Goessel.