HILLSBORO — The scuffling Hillsboro boys basketball team struggled offensive, both shooting and handling the ball, in last Thursday’s 52–26 non-conference loss to visiting Seneca.
The eighth-ranked Indians (7–0) forced a number of first-half turnovers and held the Tigers to just 10 first half points. Hillsboro trailed by 14 at the break, 24–10, and never recovered.
The Tigers (4–5) have now lost three straight and five of six since a 3–0 start to the season.
“We struggled to score the ball as a team,” said Hillsboro head coach Curt Hildreth. “We have to start making better reads on the offensive end to be more successful. Along with that turnovers have been killing us as of late. Many of them are unforced errors that are very correctable. The bright spot for our team was transition defense. We keyed on that in preparation because they do a nice job getting out and getting easy baskets.”
The Tigers held Seneca’s high-scoring senior guard Nick Payne (17.8 ppg) to just seven points and limited the Indians to a season-low 52 points. They came into the game averaging more than 73 points per game.
Sophomore forward Jared Payne scored and junior Noah Allen each scored 14 points to lead the undefeated Indians.
Senior guard Austin Shore scored six points to lead Hillsboro in defeat. Ashton Mislivecek and Tyler Weber had four points apiece, and Benna Griffin, Noah Feala and Trent Thorson each hit 3-pointers. James Anderson also scored three points.
Hillsboro will look to get back on the winning track Tuesday night at Cashton (1–7, 0–2 SBC).
Seneca 52, Hillsboro 26
(from Thursday, Dec. 29 @ Hillsboro)
Seneca 24 28 — 52
Hillsboro 10 16 — 26
Seneca (7–0) – Devin Wallin 3, Noah Allen 14, Thomas Johnson 6, Gavin Greene 8, Jared Payne 7, Nick Payne 14. Totals 20 7-11 52.
Hillsboro (4–5) – Benna Griffin 3, Austin Shore 6, Noah Feala 3, Ashton Mislivecek 4, Tyler Weber 4, Trent Thorson 3, James Anderson 3. Totals – 10 2-6 26.
3-point goals – S: 5 ( Wallin 1, Allen 1, Greene 2, Payne 1); H: 4 (Griffin 1, Shore 1, Feala 1, Thorson 1). Team fouls – S: 11; H: 12. Fouled out – none.
