NECEDAH — Needing help to earn a share of this year’s Scenic Bluffs title, Hillsboro did its part.

The Lady Tigers hammered winless Necedah 49–25 and got a much-appreciated helping-hand from Brookwood.

The Falcons pounded league-leading Royall 47–29, also on Thursday, to force a four-way tie for the conference title.

Hillsboro (17–5, 10–4), Brookwood (16–6), Royall (14–8) and Bangor (11–11) each finished with identical 10–4 records in league play.

Hillsboro last won a conference title in girls’ basketball in 2006–07.

“We have always had good teams, but could not quite get back to that championship caliber,” said Hillsboro head coach Mark Kocyan. “This year I knew we had a team that could win the conference, but with two overtime losses in the first two conference games, I thought it would be very difficult to overcome."

After back-to-back overtime losses to New Lisbon and Royall to begin the conference season, Hillsboro’s dream of winning the 2013 Scenic Bluffs title was in severe jeopardy.

The Lady Tigers regrouped and won their next six SBC games to get back in contention, only to once again fall of the pace with losses at Royall on Jan. 25 and at home to Cashton on Jan. 31.

Still needing plenty of help, Hillsboro did what it could winning its final four conference games.

“We took one game at a time, and had a couple losses versus Royall and Cashton, the second time around, where we just could not hit a shot, but the players always worked hard and competed,” said Kocyan. “I thought the effort put forth in games was very good all year.”

The defining part of the season came in a week-long stretch earlier this month were Hillsboro went on the road and beat both Bangor and Brookwood in overtime.

“I don’t believe either team had lost a conference game at home this year,” said Kocyan. “We had our backs against the wall all season, and the team did an excellent job of staying focused and resilient. I am very proud of this group of players!”

Twelve players played and nine scored in last week’s win at Necedah. Senior C.J. Hofmeister missed the game with illness.

Senior Ali Brey hit three 3-pointers and scored a game-high 12 points to lead the Tigers, who led 17–3 at the end of the first quarter and 38–9 at halftime.

Fellow senior Hilary Stanek added nine points, six steals and four assists in the win.

Junior Sami Levy finished with point points and two rebounds. Jessica Tauber added four points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.