Indians even score with Blue Lions
Earlier this season, the Hillsboro Indians lost on the road to the Washington Blue Lions by 13 points, but on Thursday night in Hillsboro, that wasn’t the case.
This Frontier Athletic Conference meeting saw the Hillsboro Indians defend their home court and earn a conference win over the visiting Blue Lions by a 62-50 score, handing WCH their third loss of the season and their second FAC loss.
The game was low-scoring in the first half with Hillsboro (6-3, 11-9) leading 21-18 at halftime, as the Indians trailed 6-5 after the first quarter, but came back with a 16-12 second frame for the three-point halftime lead.
In the second half against the Blue Lions, Hillsboro scored 19 points in the third, while Washington (7-2, 13-3) totaled 13 points in the same quarter for a score of 40-31 in favor of the Indians.
HHS outscored Washington 22-19 in the final frame for the 12-point win.
Tate Davis played one of his very best games of his career, with the junior totaling 28 points in the win, making six two-point baskets, four 3-pointers, and he was 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Jack Howland followed with 18 points for HHS. Howland had four two-point field goals, two 3-pointers, and he went 4-of-6 with his free-throw attempts.
Brayden Hunter finished with nine points, making four two-point baskets and a free throw.
There was also Steven Kibler with five points, with those points coming off a 3-pointer and a two-point basket. Nic Burns rounded out the scoring with two points.
As a team, the Indians totaled 16 two-point baskets, seven 3-pointers and they were 9-of-11 from the free-throw line.
HHS committed 11 turnovers, while Washington had 13 turnovers.
For the Blue Lions, they were led by Isaiah Haithcock with 17 points, followed by John Wall with 11 points and Noah Haithcock scored 10 points.
Also for WCH, Gabe Tayese finished with five points, Will Miller had five points and Garrett Rickman scored two points. Miller made Washington’s lone 3-pointer.
The Blue Lions as a team had 17 two-point baskets, one 3-pointer and were 13-of-18 from the free-throw line.
The Indians have two regular-season games remaining, starting with a game Friday, Feb. 9 at home vs. Blanchester. From there, they will face the Miami Trace Panthers on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at MTHS in their FAC season finale.
Washington plays again Saturday, Feb. 10 vs. Logan Elm at WCH, followed by a game Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Jackson to finish the regular season and the FAC season.