LONE TREE

Bringing their winning ways into the new year, the Ravens (9-1) went on the road and claimed a 69-47 conference win over Lone Tree (2-6) on Jan. 4.

Amid a four-game winning streak, this victory pumps up Hillcrest’s conference record to 7-1 while the Lions drop to 2-5 in conference play.

Through two quarters the Hillcrest offense proved too much for Lone Tree to handle with the Ravens scoring 19 in the first and 18 in the second to go into the half with a 13-point advantage.

This season Hillcrest is averaging 65.7 points per game, and they are doing it with a balanced team attack led by an unselfish group of players who play for each other.

“Rowan Miller does a great job pushing the break, got shooters on the wings, Seth Ours and Bryce Bailey that both shoot really well and worked hard through their careers to get to the point they are at,” Hillcrest head coach Dwight Gingerich said about the strengths of his players. “Mason Bender, who runs the floor as an athlete, he’s a secondary ball handler for us and Kale Bailey, a young sophomore who’s just getting better, very athletic.”

Despite the Ravens looking like they were going to run away with the victory, Lone Tree put some doubt in their minds by opening up the third with a 6-0 run to cut its deficit to seven, but Hillcrest responded with a 10-4 run to bring the lead back up to 15 and nurtured the lead until the end of the game. 

“We went on a little run to cut it down, and in typical Hillcrest fashion, you blink your eyes and you’re down another 10 points,” Lone Tree head coach Jonathan Chaney said. “The game didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but we did fight back with that run.”

For Lone Tree they were led on the night by Gray Spilman. The junior found himself in the starting lineup against Hillcrest after a regular starter slept through practice the previous day and Spilman made the most of his opportunity, scoring a team high 14-points. 

“Gray has definitely come onto the scene pretty strong this year. He’s had some good games for varsity and Gray did just an amazing job of taking that challenge tonight,” coach Chaney said. “Gray has a really good vertical and he was having a lot of success with a pull up jumper in that first half. He’s got a great attitude. He’s always smiling and he works hard and I thought Gray really held his own tonight.”

Hillcrest was led by Bryce Bailey and Kale Bailey who both scored a team best 13 points. Seth Ours added 11 while Rowan Miller ended the night with six assists and five steals, both team highs.

Hillcrest 71, Louisa-Musc. 63

In their first action post-holiday break, the Ravens stayed at home and collected their sixth conference win of the season by defeating Louisa-Muscatine on Jan. 3.

Hillcrest held the lead for most of the contest, but the Falcons trimmed their deficit to just three entering the fourth. In the final frame the Ravens held firm, winning the quarter by five to clinch the win.

On offense Hillcrest was led by Bryce Bailey who scored a career high 33 points. Seth Ours was another big contributor on offense with 15 points of his own. Rowan Miller dished out a team high 11 assists and tied for the team lead in rebounds (6) along with Mason Bender and Kale Bailey.

Up next for Hillcrest (9-1) is staying at home for a conference contest against Highland (1-6) on Jan. 10.

HILLCREST 69, LONE TREE 47

Hillcrest    19   18   12   20   -- 69

Lone Tree  12   12   10   13  -- 47

Hillcrest leading scorers: Bryce Bailey 13, Kale Bailey 13, Seth Ours 11

Lone Tree leading scorers: Gray Spilman 14, Emmett Burke 12, Reece Holbrook 9

Hillcrest leading rebounders: K. Bailey 8, Mason Bender 8, B. Bailey 6

Lone Tree leading rebounders: Burke 6, Cade Willoz 5, Reece Holbrook 5

LOUISA-MUSC. 63, HILLCREST 71

Louisa-Musc.  14   19   16   14   -- 63

Hillcrest         21   17   14   19  -- 47

Hillcrest leading scorers: Bryce Bailey 33, Seth Ours 15, Mason Bender 10

Louisa-Musc. leading scorers: Finnegan Cline 18, Oscar Cline 12, Mason Whitcomb 11

Hillcrest leading rebounders: Kale Bailey 6, Bender 6, Rowan Miller 6

Louisa-Musc. leading rebounders: F. Cline 9, O. Cline 6, Xavier Wheeler 3