Indians earn road win at Batavia
Thursday night (Dec. 21) the Hillsboro Indians went on the road for a non-conference game to face the Batavia Bulldogs and returned to Highland County with a victory, defeating the host Bulldogs, 63-44.
The Indians – who improved to 5-1 overall – scored 11 points in the first quarter with Tate Davis making a 3-pointer, while both Jack Howland and Dorian Stewart each scored four points off two baskets apiece. The Indians’ defense held the Bulldogs to seven points in the first quarter for a four-point lead after the opening eight minutes.
Batavia scored just three points in the second quarter off a basket and free throw, but the Indians answered those points with 17 points of their own, for a halftime lead of 28-10. The second frame saw HHS have six points from Howland, four points scored by Davis, four points from Steven Kibler and two points by Stewart as he was 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.
The Indians kicked their game into a higher gear in the third frame, scoring 24 points, but Batavia did the same, scoring 25 points in the third quarter as well, leaving the Indians ahead 52-35.
In the third frame, HHS saw Howland sink two 3-pointers, two free throws and a two-point basket. Kibler followed with six points off three baskets, Davis chipped in with four points, and with two points each in the quarter were Brayden Hunter and Stewart.
Hillsboro finished the game with 11 points in the fourth quarter as Hunter sank two shots for four points, Stewart also made two baskets for four points, Howland added two points and Nic Burns made a free throw.
Batavia scored nine points in the final quarter. Batavia also finished the game with 27 rebounds, and eight turnovers. Their leading scorer was Jess Roller with 13 points.
HHS finished with 11 turnovers and 34 rebounds. The Indians also collected 23 two-point baskets, three 3-pointers and were 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.
Howland led the way with 22 points for the game, making seven two-point baskets, two 3-pointers and the freshman was 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.
Davis totaled 12 points in the win, and teammate Stewart also finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Kibler totaled 10 points for Hillsboro, plus he added 10 rebounds for a double-double.
The rest of the final scoring was Hunter with six points and Burns with one point.