PACKWOOD

Rebounding from their first loss of the season, the Ravens went on the road and collected a Southeast Iowa Super Conference victory over the Pekin Panthers, 66-52, on Dec. 12.

This is the fourth time this season the Ravens have scored more than 60 points in a game, with their season high being 75. 

Starting the game off on a strong note, Hillcrest scored 23 in the first frame to take a 10-point lead. This lead held firm throughout the game, with the Ravens leading by seven going into the fourth quarter. 

Hillcrest stepped up on defense in the final frame, holding the Panthers to nine points, their lowest scoring quarter of the game. This defensive effort secured Hillcrest’s fourth conference victory of the season. 

A well-balanced scoring attack, Hillcrest had four players reach double figure scoring. 

Scoring a team high 13 points was junior Seth Ours. Ours was perfect from three-point range, 3/3, and from the free throw line, 2/2. This season Ours had made the third most three-pointers (22) in Class 1A. 

Juniors Mason Bender, Phoenix Anderson, and sophomore Rowan Miller all scored 12 to tie as Hillcrest’s second highest scorer. 

Bender secured a team high six rebounds. Miller led the team with eight assists. This season Miller has dished out 42 assists, tied for the fourth most in Class 1A. 

WACO 59, Hillcrest 38

Getting to play at home after two games on the road, the Ravens celebrated Alumni Night against the WACO Warriors in a SEISC matchup on Dec. 15.

This loss brings Hillcrest’s conference record to 4-2 while this win elevates WACO’s conference record to 4-1. 

The usual potent Hillcrest offense was held in check by the Warriors, as WACO was able to hand the Ravens their second loss of the season.  

Hillcrest took an early advantage in this contest by going on a 6-2 run, but WACO went on a 11-2 run to close the first frame with the lead. WACO continued to lead for the rest of the game.

The Warriors hammered home their lead by scoring 21 in the second while holding the Ravens to 11. WACO added 15 more in the third to head into the final frame with a 21 point advantage. 

WACO had three players score double digits. Leading the charge for the Warriors were seniors Hunter Hughes, Colton Leichty, and Chase Waterhouse. 

Hughes scored a team high 18, dished out six assists, and pulled down seven rebounds. Leichty tallied a double-double, with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Waterhouse also earned a double-double, scoring 12 and grabbing 10 boards. 

As the only Raven to reach double figures, sophomore Mason Bender ended the night with a team high 12 points. Bender also led the Ravens in assists (5) and rebounds (6). 

Recording a team high three steals, sophomore Rowan Miller was Hillcrest’s second highest scorer against WACO with eight points.  

The Ravens went on the road and faced off against the Wapello Indians on Dec. 19. Up next for Hillcrest (6-2) is a non-conference home game against the Cedar Valley Christian Huskies (1-7) on Dec. 21.