Hillcrest outmatched by undefeated Wolves

By Giovanni Coronel
Posted 1/11/23

Starting the year off with a rematch with one of the best teams in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference, the Ravens opened up the second half of the basketball season on the road against the …

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Hillcrest outmatched by undefeated Wolves

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Starting the year off with a rematch with one of the best teams in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference, the Ravens opened up the second half of the basketball season on the road against the undefeated conference leading Wolves. What ended up transpiring was a one sided affair with Hillcrest being defeated by Winfield-Mt Union, 63-4, on January 3. 

The Wolves, increasing its consecutive win streak to seven against the Ravens, remain unbeaten in conference play with a 8-0 record and a 11-0 record overall. Hillcrest, still searching for its first win, fell to 0-6 in conference play and a 0-10 record overall. 

In this 59 point loss the Ravens can look to turnovers as one of the main reasons the final score ended up being so lopsided. 

Winfield-Mt Union’s defense, allowing zero points in the second and third quarter, erased any semblance of offense Hillcrest tried to muster throughout the entire game. Getting the ball stolen, blocked, or being forced to take long ranged shots all contributed to the Ravens not being able to score against the Wolves. 

Winfield-Mt Union was led by senior Bradie Buffington who scored a team high 22 points. Buffington also snagged eight rebounds and notched four steals on the night. 

Only scoring four points this was Hillcrest’s lowest scoring game of the season and the first time this season in which they failed to score double digit points. The Ravens only made one successful field goal on the night, a close range shot by sophomore Malia Yoder in the final frame, with the other two points coming from Yoder and freshman Niva Helmuth at the free throw line.

 

Columbus 39, Hillcrest 18

Heading back home for its second game of the same week and hoping to improve its offensive performance from the previous game, Hillcrest was defeated by conference opponent Columbus in a 39-18 loss on January 6.  

With this loss Hillcrest fell to 0-7 in conference play this season while Columbus improved to 5-4 in conference play. 

Starting off its four game home stretch in January the Ravens found themselves with an early game deficit of 13 when the first quarter ended. Not being able to mount a comeback in the next two quarters, Hillcrest entered the final frame trailing by 23. 

Columbus sophomore Aracely Garza was the team’s leading point scorer with 10. Garza was also able to steal the ball three times and finished the night with  seven rebounds 

  After giving up 17 points in the first quarter Hillcrest played tough defense for the rest of the game. The Ravens only allowed three points in the fourth quarter and caused Columbus to commit 21 turnovers. 

Still seeking its first win of the season, Hillcrest (0-10) welcomed to its home court Highland (3-7) on January 10. This was the second matchup between these conference rivals with the first matchup ending in Highland’s favor with a final score of 51-24. 

In another game at home the Ravens will battle conference opponent WACO (9-2) on January 12. WACO has a conference record of 7-1 with the only loss coming from Winfield Mt-Union. 

Ending a busy week and ending its four game home stretch Hillcrest will welcome Keota (3-8) in a non-conference game on January 14.