Sectional Boys Basketball Tournament Preview: Hillsboro vs. Washington
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Division II
• Tuesday, Feb. 20 - 8. Hillsboro vs. 9. Washington at Southeastern High School, 6:15 p.m.
HILLSBORO INDIANS
(Frontier Athletic Conference)
- Overall Record: 7-16
- Conference Record: 3-7 (4th place FAC)
- Last Tournament Win: Feb. 15, 2016, defeated Jackson, 42-41 in sectional quarterfinals
WASHINGTON BLUE LIONS
(Frontier Athletic Conference)
- Overall Record: 3-18
- Conference Record: 1-9 (6th place FAC)
- Last Tournament Win: Feb. 21, 2017, defeated Circleville 53-48 in sectional semifinals
GAME PREVIEW:
Two years ago, the Hillsboro Indians were eliminated from the postseason by the Washington Blue Lions, but that could be reversed this time around.
The upcoming tournament game for the Indians is a third meeting in the same season against the Blue Lions, as Hillsboro had the upper hand in both contests.
The Frontier Athletic Conference (FAC) rivals played each other on Dec. 8, 2017 at WCH and on Feb. 12, 2018 at Hillsboro, with the Indians winning both games by scores of 71-66 in the first game and 63-52 in the second game.
Looking back at the season for both teams, injuries to key players throughout the season have caused issues at times for both teams, as neither had their original lineups wanted for parts of the season.
In the teams’ two games against each other this season, Phillip Mycroft led the Indians in the first meeting with 29 points, including 13 two-point baskets. In the second game last Monday (Feb. 12), it was Ethan Watson who led HHS with 26 points, while Mycroft was next on the scoring sheet with 13 points.
This will be a very interesting game as they have played close. In both contests, the difference in the first-quarter scoring was by no more than three points with HHS leading by one point in the second game at 15-14, and in the first game at the conclusion of the first quarter, it was HHS leading by three points at 19-16.
Even in the second quarter of both games, the scoring for the quarter was the same differential-wise. The Indians outscored the Blue Lions by three points in the second game at 13-10 in the second quarter, and in the second quarter of the first game at Washington, it was the Blue Lions who led the eight-minute frame at 21-18, a three-point difference.
In that same first game, the Blue Lions won the third quarter at 17-16, but when you look at the box score of the second meeting, for the third quarter, the Indians won the frame by a single point at 19-18.
The fourth quarter in both games were close, but not as close as the aforementioned quarters, with HHS having a 16-10 fourth in game two and 18-12 fourth quarter in the first game they played Washington.
For the season, Hillsboro’s leading scorers are Watson with 13.7 ppg and Mycroft 13.2 ppg. Mycroft was named to the inaugural All-FAC boys basketball team this season.
Washington also had one player named to the All-FAC team in Evan Upthegrove.
Washington’s wins have come against Circleville (62-57) to open the season, McClain (47-40) and Logan Elm (57-50 in OT) with all three games coming on the road. Their last win was Jan. 23 vs. Logan Elm.
• Tuesday, Feb. 20 - 8. Hillsboro vs. 9. Washington at Southeastern High School, 6:15 p.m.
HILLSBORO INDIANS
(Frontier Athletic Conference)
- Overall Record: 7-16
- Conference Record: 3-7 (4th place FAC)
- Last Tournament Win: Feb. 15, 2016, defeated Jackson, 42-41 in sectional quarterfinals
WASHINGTON BLUE LIONS
(Frontier Athletic Conference)
- Overall Record: 3-18
- Conference Record: 1-9 (6th place FAC)
- Last Tournament Win: Feb. 21, 2017, defeated Circleville 53-48 in sectional semifinals
GAME PREVIEW:
Two years ago, the Hillsboro Indians were eliminated from the postseason by the Washington Blue Lions, but that could be reversed this time around.
The upcoming tournament game for the Indians is a third meeting in the same season against the Blue Lions, as Hillsboro had the upper hand in both contests.
The Frontier Athletic Conference (FAC) rivals played each other on Dec. 8, 2017 at WCH and on Feb. 12, 2018 at Hillsboro, with the Indians winning both games by scores of 71-66 in the first game and 63-52 in the second game.
Looking back at the season for both teams, injuries to key players throughout the season have caused issues at times for both teams, as neither had their original lineups wanted for parts of the season.
In the teams’ two games against each other this season, Phillip Mycroft led the Indians in the first meeting with 29 points, including 13 two-point baskets. In the second game last Monday (Feb. 12), it was Ethan Watson who led HHS with 26 points, while Mycroft was next on the scoring sheet with 13 points.
This will be a very interesting game as they have played close. In both contests, the difference in the first-quarter scoring was by no more than three points with HHS leading by one point in the second game at 15-14, and in the first game at the conclusion of the first quarter, it was HHS leading by three points at 19-16.
Even in the second quarter of both games, the scoring for the quarter was the same differential-wise. The Indians outscored the Blue Lions by three points in the second game at 13-10 in the second quarter, and in the second quarter of the first game at Washington, it was the Blue Lions who led the eight-minute frame at 21-18, a three-point difference.
In that same first game, the Blue Lions won the third quarter at 17-16, but when you look at the box score of the second meeting, for the third quarter, the Indians won the frame by a single point at 19-18.
The fourth quarter in both games were close, but not as close as the aforementioned quarters, with HHS having a 16-10 fourth in game two and 18-12 fourth quarter in the first game they played Washington.
For the season, Hillsboro’s leading scorers are Watson with 13.7 ppg and Mycroft 13.2 ppg. Mycroft was named to the inaugural All-FAC boys basketball team this season.
Washington also had one player named to the All-FAC team in Evan Upthegrove.
Washington’s wins have come against Circleville (62-57) to open the season, McClain (47-40) and Logan Elm (57-50 in OT) with all three games coming on the road. Their last win was Jan. 23 vs. Logan Elm.