Indians force turnovers; top Mustangs

     DODSONVILLE – The Hillsboro Indians put on a defensive showcase in the second quarter Tuesday night, and fended off a second half rally by the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs to take a 66-60 non-league win over their Highland County rival at Lynchburg-Clay High School.

     The Indians scored 11 points off forced turnovers in the second quarter against the Mustangs Tuesday night. HHS forced three straight turnovers to start the second, taking a 21-18 lead.

     HHS senior Airic Steagall started the second quarter with a steal near mid-court, and then was fouled. Steagall took advantage and made 1 of 2 free throws. Teammate Eli Hogsett followed with a steal and fast break layup to put the Tribe ahead 19-18. After the quick points from Steagall and Hogsett, HHS senior Dawson Barreras joined in and scored on a fast break, after taking the ball away from the Mustangs. The 5-0 run was stopped by L-C senior Jorden DeHaas, who scored on his own fast break effort.

     HHS came back, scoring twice more off forced L-C turnovers with Dow Kiefer and Steagall taking the ball to the hoop. Steagall’s points ended as a three-point play with 3:59 left in the second.

     “Our defense in the second quarter allowed us to get offensive baskets,” Hillsboro head coach Tim Davis said. “Offensively we wanted to spread the ball out and find opportunities when we could take advantage of mismatches. I thought we did that (Tuesday).”

     HHS ended the second frame by scoring six of the final eight points for their 32-24 lead after two quarters.

     The Indians extended their advantage by one point after the third quarter ended, but to get to that point the game became a battle as both teams answered each other basket for basket.

     Steagall began the quarter with a jumper, and his points were followed by a 3-pointer from Emanuel Turner for a 37-24 lead. Aaron Skaggs scored two points for the Mustangs, which were answered with four straight points by the Indians. After DeHaas netted a jumper, Turner came back with another 3-pointer to make the score 44-28 midway through the third quarter.

     Late in the third, L-C sophomore Tyler Davidson sank a 3-pointer to cut the HHS lead to nine points at 50-41.

     The 3-ball by Davidson started a rally for the Mustangs as they opened the final frame with a 3-pointer by Austin Fawley, followed later in the quarter with a trifecta by Skaggs. With 6:17 left in regulation, Steven Collins sank two free-throws for L-C to bring the Mustangs within three points of the Indians.

     Steagall was there to counter with his own 3-pointer to push HHS back ahead by six points.

     Coates and Dylan Barreras netted four straight for the Indians, but L-C came back with five consecutive points as Fawley and Dallas Puckett brought the Mustangs back within three of tying the game with 1:37 left in the quarter.

     HHS sank free throws to seal the win, keeping L-C at bay in the final seconds. Also scoring in the game for HHS was Will McKenna.

     “Lynchburg-Clay played tough in the second half,” Davis said. “I thought we had a commanding lead in the third, but Lynchburg cut it down. I am proud of how our guys kept battling, stepped up and made plays.”

     In the first quarter, L-C led 18-16 with the lead switching eight times. The score was tied five times in the opening eight minutes.

     DeHaas led all scorers with a game-high 20 points. Fawley followed with 13 and Skaggs scored 11 for L-C.

     Coates led HHS with 17 points, followed by Steagall with 16. Nine players from HHS scored at least two points.

     The win lifts HHS to 6-6 overall. The Indians are 2-3 in South Central Ohio League play.

     HHS will play again Saturday as they travel to Greenfield to take on the McClain Tigers. L-C will host the Fairfield Lions Friday night for their homecoming game. Freshman play starts at 4:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE

SCORE BY QUARTERS

HHS – 16 16 18 16 – 66

LCHS – 18 6 17 19 – 60

INDIVIDUAL STATS

HHS (66)

Kiefer 2 4, Da.Barreras 2 1-2 5, Coates 5 (1) 4-6 17, Turner 0 (2) 0-2 6, Hogsett 2 4, Dy.Barreras 1 2-3 4, Carroll 2 (1) 1-2 8, Steagall 4 (2) 2-3 16, McKenna 1 2. TOTALS: 19 (6) 10-18 66.

LCHS (60)

Puckett 1 1-2 3, Davidson 1 (1) 5, Skaggs 3 (1) 2-2 11, DeHaas 9 2-4 20, Fawley 2 (3) 13, Collins 3 2-2 8. TOTALS: 19 (5) 7-10 60.