Hillsboro uses defense to take down Lady Lions
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The defense of the Hillsboro Lady Indians not only stopped the Fairfield Lady Lions from scoring many points in the first half, but allowed their own offense to take control of the game.
The combination of both the offense and defense of HHS (7-8) turned into a 50-31 non-league win by the Lady Indians Wednesday at HHS, giving Hillsboro their sixth victory in their past seven games.
"We did get off to a good start, and a lot of that was due to our defense," HHS head coach JR Moberly said. "The first-half defense of Hannah Kibler was outstanding against Heather Cox.
"Heather (Cox) is a very good basketball player, and for Hannah and others to defend Fairfield like they did is something for us to be proud of."
The start of the Lady Indians saw them score the game's first 13 points, keeping the Lady Lions (5-8) to zero field goals in the first frame and to just two points in the quarter from the free-throw line as HHS finished the first with a 13-2 advantage.
For the opening quarter, Faith Middleton began the scoring with a two-point bucket, followed by a jumper from Kirsten Juillerat. With 4:46 left in the first, HHS increased their lead to 6-0 with two points from Madison Snyder.
The lead then went to nine points when Kaylynn Bell sank a 3-pointer with 4:15 on the clock and eventually to 13 points following baskets by Kibler and Snyder. The first ended with two free throws from Cox, who led the Lady Lions with 10 points.
Leading all scorers was Snyder with 16 points, followed by Bell with 13 points. Kibler was the third Lady Indians player to finish in double figures with 10 points.
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This game was the third consecutive game in three days for the Lady Lions as they hosted Whiteoak on Monday and traveled to Manchester on Tuesday, both being victories, but FHS head coach Chad Hamilton said following the game the team was a little tired at the start.
"I think playing our third game in three nights finally caught up with us in the first quarter," Hamilton said. "We customarily play two good quarters a game, but unfortunately they were in the second half when we were down too much to make a comeback."
HHS, of the South Central Ohio League, outscored the visiting Lady Lions of the Southern Hills Athletic Conference 13-6 in the second frame for a 26-8 halftime lead.
The second half was more closely contested as HHS only outscored their opponent, 24-2 with a 15-13 third quarter from HHS and FHS outscoring the hosts, 10-9.
In the fourth for HHS, Tyeika Cumberland made a 3-pointer as she finished with five points. For FHS, Lydia Sowders finished with nine points, including seven points in the fourth.
"We were in control of the game but lost our focus, and that has come back to hurt us at times," Moberly said. "We got beat down the floor, and we can't have that if we are up by 10 or even down by 10.
"I tell the girls, we have 22 opportunities to play other teams, and we need to make the most of them. (Wednesday) we didn't finish like I wanted. Fairfield has a nice and experienced team."
In JV play, the Lady Indians defeated FHS, 34-18. Leading HHS was Reaghan Haines with 21 points. Leading FHS was Abby Newkirk with six.
HHS will play again on Saturday as they host Chillicothe with a JV start of noon. FHS plays on Thursday as they host Fayetteville, as it is their fourth game in four consecutive days.
The combination of both the offense and defense of HHS (7-8) turned into a 50-31 non-league win by the Lady Indians Wednesday at HHS, giving Hillsboro their sixth victory in their past seven games.
"We did get off to a good start, and a lot of that was due to our defense," HHS head coach JR Moberly said. "The first-half defense of Hannah Kibler was outstanding against Heather Cox.
"Heather (Cox) is a very good basketball player, and for Hannah and others to defend Fairfield like they did is something for us to be proud of."
The start of the Lady Indians saw them score the game's first 13 points, keeping the Lady Lions (5-8) to zero field goals in the first frame and to just two points in the quarter from the free-throw line as HHS finished the first with a 13-2 advantage.
For the opening quarter, Faith Middleton began the scoring with a two-point bucket, followed by a jumper from Kirsten Juillerat. With 4:46 left in the first, HHS increased their lead to 6-0 with two points from Madison Snyder.
The lead then went to nine points when Kaylynn Bell sank a 3-pointer with 4:15 on the clock and eventually to 13 points following baskets by Kibler and Snyder. The first ended with two free throws from Cox, who led the Lady Lions with 10 points.
Leading all scorers was Snyder with 16 points, followed by Bell with 13 points. Kibler was the third Lady Indians player to finish in double figures with 10 points.
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This game was the third consecutive game in three days for the Lady Lions as they hosted Whiteoak on Monday and traveled to Manchester on Tuesday, both being victories, but FHS head coach Chad Hamilton said following the game the team was a little tired at the start.
"I think playing our third game in three nights finally caught up with us in the first quarter," Hamilton said. "We customarily play two good quarters a game, but unfortunately they were in the second half when we were down too much to make a comeback."
HHS, of the South Central Ohio League, outscored the visiting Lady Lions of the Southern Hills Athletic Conference 13-6 in the second frame for a 26-8 halftime lead.
The second half was more closely contested as HHS only outscored their opponent, 24-2 with a 15-13 third quarter from HHS and FHS outscoring the hosts, 10-9.
In the fourth for HHS, Tyeika Cumberland made a 3-pointer as she finished with five points. For FHS, Lydia Sowders finished with nine points, including seven points in the fourth.
"We were in control of the game but lost our focus, and that has come back to hurt us at times," Moberly said. "We got beat down the floor, and we can't have that if we are up by 10 or even down by 10.
"I tell the girls, we have 22 opportunities to play other teams, and we need to make the most of them. (Wednesday) we didn't finish like I wanted. Fairfield has a nice and experienced team."
In JV play, the Lady Indians defeated FHS, 34-18. Leading HHS was Reaghan Haines with 21 points. Leading FHS was Abby Newkirk with six.
HHS will play again on Saturday as they host Chillicothe with a JV start of noon. FHS plays on Thursday as they host Fayetteville, as it is their fourth game in four consecutive days.