Lady Indians bow out of postseason

The Hillsboro Lady Indians more than doubled their total of wins from last season, but all good things come to an end, and for HHS, the season was completed Thursday evening as they lost to the Unioto Lady Shermans, 52-42 at Zane Trace High School.

"Improvement" was a key word during the preseason preview for the Lady Indians, and for the 2013-14 season, they did just that, finishing the season at 11-12 overall and 4-8 in the South Central Ohio League, one year following a season where they won just five games.

"I think our girls have improved, obviously, as a group but also individually," HHS head coach JR Moberly said. "I think each of our kids has gotten better from day one, and they really work hard at it in practices to do that. They've shown a lot of growth, but I don't think we're anywhere near where we can be, so I hope that we can continue that growth through the summer and into next season.

"There's a lot to look forward to with that group, and I'm excited to be a part of it. I'm going to miss showing up and practicing with them every day. I told them I didn't know for sure where they would be 28 days from now, but I would be in a gym and I hope maybe some of them come in and start shooting again with me."

In Thursday's Division II SE District Sectional Semifinal, the Lady Indians did what they've done all season and that was battle and not make anything easy on their opponent and UHS was no different.

HHS kept the score close at the conclusion of the first quarter, leading 12-10 after the first quarter, but that would be the final time they would lead in the game.

In that first frame, it was Hannah Kibler who scored first with a jumper at the 7:00 mark for a 2-0 HHS advantage. Later, Madison Snyder scored post points, and Kaylynn Bell sank a 3-pointer for a 7-4 advantage with 3:45 left in the first frame.

Bell led HHS with 17 points, and Snyder followed with 11, while Kibler totaled eight points in the loss.

"All those kids who were here tonight are coming back, and we've got some other good kids, coming, too," Moberly said of his team. "We do have a lot to look forward to, and next year being a little different, we've got a lot of juniors this year, but hopefully  can make their senior year a good year for them."

By the end of the first Snyder sank a free throw to put the Lady Indians ahead by two points after the opening eight minutes.

In the second, points in transition by the Lady Shermans were key for them to take the lead and not give it back for the remainder of the game.

UHS went on a 16-0 run ranging from the 7:40 mark where they tied the score at 12-12 to around the 5:00 mark where they led 26-12, with most of those points coming of turnovers and transition baskets.

Bell stopped the UHS run, but it was just a little too late as HHS eventually trailed 31-18 at the half.

By the end of the third, HHS trailed 44-27, but HHS didn't let their season tick away in the fourth without making it a little tough on UHS.

In the fourth, seven straight points by Snyder, Kibler and a 3-pointer from Bell brought HHS to within 12 points of UHS with 4:25.

Later in the fourth, Faith Middleton connected with a jumper, and Kibler scored on a steal and a fast break with 1:42 left in regulation to bring HHS to within 10 points of the Lady Shermans. Middleton totaled four points, and also adding points during the game for HHS was Trista Rhodes with two.

The final HHS points of the season came with a 3-pointer from Bell with 49.1 left on the clock.

"Our kids hang in there, and they keep battling," Moberly said. "One of these days, we'll talk about how they get over the top and hold people at bay, but as always, I'm pleased with the kids' effort and character.

"They stay after it, and they fight. (Thursday), I should have done some things differently, made some adjustments sooner against the transition, maybe trusted our kids to get up and down the floor and last a little longer in that pressure defense, because it did make a difference in the fourth quarter when we really applied that pressure full-court and got after it."

Moberly tanks those who came and supported the team.

"I appreciate everybody who came up and supported us (Thursday)," Moberly said. "It was a busy night with the junior high tournament and the boys basketball game going on at Goshen. I appreciate all the folks coming up here to support us and who supported us throughout the season."

Leading all scorers was Taylor Overly with 21 points. Bri Thomas followed with 14 points, and Alexis Overly had 11 points.

UHS will face Miami Trace in the sectional final on Saturday at ZTHS.