Trojans wrap up another perfect week
Staff writer
Old Man Winter bared his teeth with snow and frigid temperatures on Groundhog Day, canceling classes and blowing away Wednesday and Thursday practices for Hillsboro basketball teams.
The layoff that started after the Trojans picked up a sweep last Tuesday in Lindsborg against Smoky Valley failed to impact play Friday night, when Hillsboro was host to the Pratt Greenbacks.
Hillsboro’s girls boosted their season record to 10-5 while the boys remained unbeaten at 15-0.
A rematch with archival Hesston is next up Friday night. Hesston took advantage of a COVID-shortened lineup in the opening round of the girls’ Trojan Classic two weeks ago, while the top-seeded boys won decisively.
Girls
Savannah Shahan capped off a 33-point week, tallying a game-high 17 points to go along with seven rebounds in a cozy 53-31 win Friday.
It wasn’t the prettiest of games, with both teams managing just north of 30% from the floor, but Hillsboro kept its head above water the whole way.
The Trojans used a 15-10 second quarter to build a 24-14 lead by halftime.
Zaylee Werth added 12 points while dishing out all nine of the Trojans’ assists in the victory.
Emersyn Funk finished just a single point short of a double-double with 10 rebounds as Hillsboro beat Pratt on the glass, 37-28.
Reese Hefley also tossed in 9 points for Hillsboro.
Boys
Lasting one quarter with the Trojans has been a chore for anyone not named the Hesston Swathers, and the Greenbacks fared no better in a 63-34 waltz.
Hillsboro exploded out of the gate for a 24-8 lead and never looked back, cruising to a 38-20 lead at the break.
Brekyn Ratzlaff scored a game-high 22 points, and Matt Potucek added 21 more, going 9 of 10 from the free-throw line, grabbing a team-high six rebounds, while picking up eight steals.
The Trojans created headaches on defense, forcing 25 Greenback turnovers and allowing just 33% shooting from the floor.
Hillsboro’s 43% shooting the first half was as good as it would get, with the Trojans finishing south of 40%, but Pratt never realistically challenged, trailing as much as 28 with 6:16 left.