KALONA

With the new year looming, Hillcrest played its final home game of the year against the Cedar Valley Christian Huskies on Dec. 21. 

In dominating fashion, the Ravens jumped out to an impressive lead and never looked back, defeating CVC, 64-17. The 17 points CVC scored was its lowest point total of the season. 

“I really liked how we came out and really applied pressure defensively. We’re able to score, we’re able to force turnovers and then score off those turnovers at times,” Hillcrest coach Dwight Gingerich said. “And I thought we were pretty in sync generally at both ends of the floor and that was very good. Obviously, we got off to a pretty good-sized lead.”

In the first quarter, Hillcrest held the Huskies scoreless. The Ravens began the second frame with a 20-0 lead. This lead grew to 29 before, with about two minutes left in the quarter, CVC broke its scoring drought with a three-pointer. 

The Huskies scored one more field goal to enter halftime facing a 30-point deficit.  

Getting past the CVC defense to score close ranged shots with great efficiency for Hillcrest in this contest was the junior duo of Seth Ours and Mason Bender.

“Seth and Mason really have been the keys for our team. Mason continues to grow as a player,” coach Gingerich said. “Seth is in his third year as a starter, providing some strong leadership out there on the floor, made some very good decisions with his pass. He had eight assists to go with his points, which is great to see as he involves other people, dishing the ball on penetration.”

After three quarters of play both Ours and Bender reached 20 points. 

Ours, who made multiple highly contested layups throughout the game, would score four more in the fourth to reach his team leading total of 24. As coach Gingerich mentioned, Ours also led the team in assists with eight.  

“He’s really added penetration to his game this year and that’s really been good to see,” coach Gingerich said about Ours. “And I thought he played pretty hard defensively as well.” 

For Bender this was a breakout game for him offensively. He ended the game with a season high 23 points. His previous season high was 12, a score he reached in each of his last three games. He also grabbed five rebounds and recorded four steals. 

“Mason Bender plays hard and really helps a lot of good things to happen on our team with his effort,” coach Gingerich said. 

Hillcrest 49, Wapello 32

Playing in their final road game of the year, the Ravens collected a conference victory over the Wapello Indians on Dec. 19. 

With Hillcrest entering the second frame with a two-point lead, the Indians were able to keep up with the Ravens after one quarter of play. 

However, Hillcrest was able to limit Wapello to just four points in the second. This allowed the Ravens to go into halftime with a 11-point advantage. 

Wapello was able to respond in the third, outscoring Hillcrest 14-11. This set up a final frame where the Indians faced an eight-point deficit. 

Not allowing a comeback, Hillcrest once again came together on defense and held Wapello to six points, while scoring 15 of their own to secure the win. 

Leading all scorers in this SEISC matchup was Hillcrest junior Bryce Bailey. Bailey scored 15 and collected six rebounds. Not too far behind Bailey was teammate Seth Ours. Ours scored 14 to go along with six assists. 

Up next for Hillcrest is a break for the holidays. The Ravens will resume play in January.  

“We’re just looking to try to improve in the areas of execution and effort and see where that takes us, that’s the focus for the break,” coach Gingerich said about the upcoming break.   

Hillcrest’s first matchup coming out of the break will be a home game against Winfield Mt-Union (8-1) on Jan. 2.