Hillsboro scores 31 points in 4th quarter of sectional final loss

CHILLICOTHE — Trailing by 20 points entering the fourth quarter of their Division II SE District Sectional Final game against the No. 6 seeded Jackson Ironladies, the No. 11 seeded Hillsboro Lady Indians had 32 points combined in the first three quarters, but HHS finished the game with 63 points following a 31-point fourth quarter.

When the fourth quarter came, the Lady Indians left everything they had on the court, scoring the aforementioned 31 points in the final eight minutes, but the previous 20-point deficit was too much to overcome as Jackson defeated their Frontier Athletic Conference rival, 74-63.

“I'm proud of the kids executing the game plan we wanted,” Hillsboro head coach Heather Storer said. “The last two games we played Jackson, we barely averaged over 30 points, so we doubled that tonight.”

Though the season came to a final moment on Saturday for the Lady Indians, their 31-point effort in the fourth frame was remarkable on the offensive side, plus don’t forget that the Ironladies scored 22 points of their own in the fourth frame, meaning the two teams combined for 53 points in the final quarter. 

The huge fourth quarter started with Jackson (21-2) building their lead to 22 points with a basket by TJ Carpenter, and even after those two points were answered with free throws made by Kobie Miles, Carpenter added another two points for the Ironladies.

Miles again scored points, sinking a 3-pointer with 6:49 left in the fourth, only to have JHS score three straight points for a 59-37 lead with 6:21 left in regulation. 

Kyra Boyd kept Hillsboro in the game with a basket, and after a bucket by Jackson and a full timeout called the the Lady Indians, Addyson Miles cut Jackson’s lead down to 19 points with a 3-pointer from the corner with 5:35 left on the clock. 

JHS came back with a free throw, and after that free throw was equaled with Kobie Miles sinking a free-throw, JHS built back a 21-point lead with 5:29 on the clock. HHS answered with a bucket by Blake Herdman, and those points were followed with four straight points from by Peighton Bledsoe.

JHS came back with a basket, but HHS continued to battle with a layup made by Tylee Davis as she was being fouled. JHS made the score 68-55, only for HHS to get back to within 10 points as Scott sank a 3-pointer. Hillsboro’s final points of the game came with a layup and a 3-pointer made by Boyd, as the trey was the final shot made for the season by HHS. 

Hillsboro for the game was led in scoring by Boyd with a career-high 25 points, making seven two-point baskets, three 3-pointers and she was 2-of-5 from the free-throw line. 

“I’m proud of [Boyd],” Storer said. “It seemed like every time we needed a bucket, she somehow found a way to get it up in the air. That kid puts a lot of hours in the gym. There's a lot more to be seen out of her. I'm glad that she went out on a high note like this, and I’m super proud of the effort she had. 

“We kind of challenged her this last week and a half. We said ‘we need you, and this is the time. We’re out of games. We’ve got one left, let it all go,’ and I think she did that.”

HHS also had final scoring by Davis (10), Addyson Miles (eight), Kobie Miles (seven), Peighton Bledsoe (six), Blake Herdman (four) and Scott (three).

As a team, the Lady Indians collected 15 two-point baskets, eight 3-pointers, and they were 9-of-16 from the free-throw line. 

The first three quarters, HHS trailed 20-9 after the first quarter and at halftime their deficit was 11 points after each team scored 13 points, with the score after two quarters being 33-22. In the third, HHS was outscored 19-10 for a 20-point deficit at 52-32 with Jackson leading. 

In the game, the Ironladies — the Frontier Athletic Conference champions — were led in scoring by TJ Carpenter with 31 points, as she made 12 baskets from two-point range, and she went 7-of-12 from the free-throw line. 

Mattie Walburn followed with 21 points, as she sank five two-point baskets, one 3-pointer, and she went 8-of-10 with her free-throw attempts.

Kenzie Davis of JHS scored 18 points, finishing the game with eight two-point baskets and two made free throws of four attempts.

Sydney Carpenter and Sydney Hughes each made a basket for two points apiece.

As a team, Jackson totaled 26 two-point baskets, one 3-pointer and they went 17-of-26 from the free-throw line as a team.

HHS ends the season at 11-12 overall, and they were 5-5 in the FAC standings for the 2023-24 season, third place in the conference. 

“I told the girls in the locker room this is the worst part of being a coach,” Storer said. “We won four games last year, and we doubled, almost tripled that. Our seniors built that foundation. They came in every day, they adapted to the style of play that we want to play. I couldn't be more proud of them.” 

Seniors for HHS are Rylie Scott, Addyson Miles and Morgan Garman.

“Addy’s had a little bit of a tough struggle the last couple games shooting, and she came out and knocked down a couple threes for us,” Storer said. “Her ability to do the small things is awesome. I’m always proud of her for the small things that you don’t always catch and don’t show up on the stat sheet.

“Rylie Scott specifically is a stat stuffer. She’ll have four or five across the board — steals, rebounds, she does it all. She doesn't look like a basketball player or big threat, but she’s definitely a threat to be reckoned with. 

“Morgan comes in every day, works her butt off in practice and doesn’t get a lot of game time, but the kid just has a great attitude,” Storer continued. 

Jackson will next play on Saturday, Feb. 24 against No. 3 seeded Sheridan at 1:45 p.m. at Southeastern High School. 

BOX SCORE


HHS    09 13 10 31 — 63
JHS    20 13 19 22 — 74

JACKSON (74) — S.Carpenter 1 (0) 0-0 2, TJ Carpenter 12 (0) 7-12 31, M.Walburn 5 (1) 8-10 21, S.Hughes 1 (0) 0-0 2, K.Davis 8 (0) 2-4 18. TOTALS: 27 (1) 17-26 74. 

HILLSBORO (63) — P.Bledsoe 2 (0) 2-2 6, K.Miles 0 (1) 4-6 7, R.Scott 0 (1) 0-0 3, T.Davis 3 (1) 1-3 10, K.Boyd 7 (3) 2-5 25, A.Miles 1 (2) 0-0 8, B.Herdman 2 (0) 0-0 4. TOTALS: 15 (8) 9-16 63.
 

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.