Cumberlands lead Wilmington to 73-30 win at Hillsboro
By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press
With numerous relatives as well as Xavier University Coach Chris Mack in attendance, Jaevin Cumberland and Jarron Cumberland combined for 39 points to lead the Wilmington Hurricane to a 73-30 victory over the Hillsboro Indians Tuesday night.
Both Cumberlands have surpassed 1,000 points in their high school careers and plan on playing college basketball.
The talented Hurricane struggled early against the Indians' defense. In fact, each team turned the ball over on its first possession. After two possessions, Wilmington already had two turnovers in the scorebook, as Hillsboro played aggressive defense.
Junior Alex Miller broke the scoreless tie with a bucket at the 6:03 mark and Zach Young answered immediately for Bruce Miles' Indians.
Cameron Stewart put Wilmington ahead to stay with a long 3-pointer with 5:04 left in the first. Two minutes later, the junior laced another 3-ball to make it 11-2.
Harley McPherson also played longball with a another trey, followed by a layup by Jarron Cumberland that made it 16-2.
Hillsboro, meanwhile, had its problems with the tenacious Wilmington defense. After Young's basket, the Indians were scoreless for a 3:30 stretch until Young drained his second field goal – this one from beyond the arc.
Alex Van Zant scored on a outback from Hillsboro to chip away at the deficit, but Wilmington maintained a comfortable lead throughout the night.
Chase Reed connected on a free throw and D.J. Brown added a bucket off a Van Zant assist to round out the first-quarter scoring for Hillsboro.
Stewart led all scorers in the opening frame with eight points.
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Jaevin Cumberland took control in the second period with 12 of his game-high 23 points. Jarron Cumberland scored four points in the quarter, as Wilmington cruised to a 39-15 halftime lead.
Young, Van Zant and Logan Kibler each scored two points to account for Hillsboro's total in the second period.
In the third quarter, Jaevin Cumberland was left wide open in the corner and promptly drained a 3-pointer to push the margin to 44-15.
Jarron Cumberland scored six of his 16 points in the quarter, as Wilmington outscored Hillsboro, 18-5.
Latrell Haithcock accounted for all five Hillsboro points with a basket at the 6:50 mark and a 3-pointer with 1:05 on the clock.
With 1:24 to play in the third, Stewart got tangled up on a rebound and left the game with an injured knee. He played a solid game and finished with eight points for Michael Noszka's team.
Jaevin Cumberland put an exclamation point on game with a 3-pointer at the buzzer to close out the third quarter.
In the fourth period, McPherson added a pair of 3-pointers. Jarron Cumberland scored four points and Dylan Beaugard also scored four.
Beaugard's basket at 4:01 off an assist by Jaevin Cumberland prompted Noszka to empty the Hurricane bench. It also prompted a mass exodus from the packed Hillsboro gymnasium.
Hillsboro got late baskets from Reed – a 3-pointer over Jarron Cumberland, and two field goals by Trey Captain.
After the game, Coach Miles said the Indians must continue to work on their game and be aggressive.
"I told our guys to continue to do what we do and get better," the coach said. "We still have to be aggressive going to the basket and we have to play under control."
Zach Young paced the Indians with seven points. Trey Captain and Latrell Haithcock scored five apiece. Alex Van Zant added four, Chase Reed scored two and Jacob Aber, D.J. Brown and Logan Kibler each put in two points. Trey Moberly didn't score, but he played solid defense and spent much of the evening with the unenviable task of guarding Jarron Cumberland.
Hillsboro (2-2, 2-0 in the SCOL) will host Clinton-Massie Friday.
Wilmington improves to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the South Central Ohio League.
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Hillsboro won the freshmen game, 36-33.
Hillsboro also won the jayvee game, 40-35. Marshall Ward led Hillsboro with 15 points and Cameron Reed added 12 points.
Score by quarters (varsity)
WHS — 19 20 18 16 – 73
HHS — 09 06 05 10 – 30