Wilmington defeats Hillsboro, 101-32

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

A 22-0 game-opening run led the Wilmington Hurricane to a 101-32 rout of the Hillsboro Indians Friday, Dec. 18 on the Tribe’s home court.

Neither team scored until the 6:31 mark of the first quarter when Wilmington senior Jarron Cumberland had his first of several steals and his first of even more layups.

Cumberland led all scorers on the night with 34 points, many of which came in transition from the 'Cane’s trapping defense.

Cumberland, who has committed to play Division I NCAA basketball for the University of Cincinnati, had 12 points, three steals and two assists just in the first period.

When sophomore Jeffery Mansfield scored with 1:30 left in the opening quarter, the Hurryin’ Hurricane had raced to a 22-0 lead. Eleven seconds later, Hillsboro sophomore Marshall Ward stopped the onslaught with a running jumper in the lane for the Indians’ first and only basket of the quarter.

Matt Creditt scored on an assist from Dylan Beaugard to cap the first-period scoring.

The second quarter was equally brutal, as Hillsboro managed only six points. The Indians had more turnovers (18) than points (eight) in the first half.

Senior Logan Kibler scored all eight of the Indians’ second-quarter points. He laced his first of five 3-pointers on a shot from the corner at the 7:32 mark to cut the margin to 24-5. Kibler finished with 20 points to lead Hillsboro.

Wilmington’s motion offense resulted in numerous baseline screens and points in the paint. The Hurricane had only two 3-pointers and few baskets outside the lane.

Cumberland’s bucket with five seconds on the clock ended the first-half scoring with Wilmington in command, 50-8.

In the third quarter, Creditt scored 12 points and Cumberland added 10 as Wilmington moved ahead, 84-21. Cumberland did not play in the fourth period.

The only issue that remained for Wilmington fans was whether the Hurricane would reach triple digits.

They did.

Matthew Smith scored with 1:49 on the game clock to make it 99-29. Two possessions later, Mansfield finished the scoring with a layup to make it a 101-32 game.

Wilmington remains undefeated at 7-0. Hillsboro falls to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the SCOL.

The Indians host Western Brown Saturday, Dec. 19 and Clinton-Massie on Dec. 22. Wilmington travels to Covington Catholic on Dec. 22

* * *

• In reserve play, Hillsboro defeated Wilmington, 50-45. Britton Haines scored 14 points to lead the Indians. Kelton Anderson put in 12 points, and Josh Keets added 10.

Score by quarters

WHS – 24 26 34 17 – 101
HHS – 02 06 13 11 – 32

Individual scoring

WHS (101) – Stewart 3-0-6; Morris 1-1-2-7; Miller 1-0-2; Smith 2-0-4; Beaugard 5-0-10; Creditt 8-0-16; Cumberland 13-1-5-34; Mansfield 6-2-14; Wolary 4-0-8.

HHS (32) – Bell 0-1-0-3; DeAtley 1-0-2; Ward 1-0-2; Kibler 2-5-1-20; Bloomfield 1-1-0-5.