Indians down WB to claim 1993 title

(Continued from last week.)

In Hillsboro, the Indians hosted state ranked Washington C.H., in late February 1993.

The Blue Lions held a 36-30 edge at halftime. The Indians had a very poor shooting third quarter and turned the ball over seven times in the quarter, resulting in a 58-41 margin after three quarters.

The red-and-white outscored WCH 23-18 in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough. The final score was WCH 76, Hillsboro 64.

The Lions had four men in double figures, led by Sword’s 33 points.

Jamie Thompson, Justin Ames and Sean Longstreth led the Indians with 16, 15 and 13, respectively.

When the Blue Lions and the McClain Tigers locked horns in the sectional tournament at Chillicothe, Feb. 26, it was critical that the Tigers get off to a good start. They didn’t.

In fact, it was more than three minutes into the game when they scored their first point. Neither team looked particularly sharp in the early going. But Washington, with Travis Robertson leading the way, just had too many horses.

McClain had handled Robertson fairly well in their last meeting. This time, however, the diminutive Lion guard tossed in 24 points, and did a good job defensively. The Lions’ depth hurt McClain, as well. The blue-and-white just kept running players in and out, keeping their regulars well rested.

By the final quarter, the Tigers appeared to be very tired. They were outscored 28-11 in the fourth stanza.

Highley totaled 24 points for the Tigers, but nobody else was in double figures. WCH had three men in double figures.

Miami Trace eliminated Waverly in the upper bracket, 52-49, on a last-second three-pointer by Terrell Baker.

There were only two seconds on the clock when the ball was passed to Baker.

The game-ending buzzer went off while the ball was in the air.

Both teams performed well. It was a great game.

Trace would advance to face the Hillsboro Indians (16-4) Saturday, Feb. 27.

This year, the upper bracket winner and the lower bracket winner would both advance to the Athens District Tournament.

On Feb. 27, 1993, Hillsboro led Miami Trace, 13-11 after one quarter and 29-27 at halftime.

But the second half belonged to the Panthers, particularly the third period, in which Trace outscored the Indians, 15-8.

In the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, Trace went on a 15-2 run and virtually put the game away.

The Indians hit a couple of threes and a layup in the final minute, but it was not enough. Miami Trace won, 62-55.

Jamie Thompson ended a fine career at HHS, scoring 17 points. No other Indian was in double figures. Trace’s dynamic duo, Terrell Baker and Jason King, scored 27 and 23, respectively.

This loss marked the fifth consecutive year that Hillsboro’s season ended after their first tournament game.

So, both Washington and Miami Trace advanced to the Athens District Tournament. Miami Trace (15-7) would play Marion River Valley (13-8) March 6, at 3:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m. the same afternoon, Washington (19-2) would tangle with Albany Alexander (13-8).

Miami Trace jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, and went on to drub River Valley, 65-30, with Jason King racking up 26 points and Terrell Baker adding 13.

In the evening event, Travis Robertson had a field day, tossing in 29 points, as the Blue Lions crushed Alexander, 86-50. This marked Coach Gary Shaffer’s 400th win in a long and successful career.

Miami Trace advanced to meet Athens (14-8) Saturday, March 13. The second game would pit Washington (20-2) against Gallipolis (16-6).

Miami Trace won the District Tournament by thumping Athens, 59-42, on the Convocation Center floor. Baker and Aaron Trainer each scored 15 points, while Jason King added 14. Trace won every quarter except the third, in which Athens outscored the Panthers, 14-10.

The black-and-gold would face tough Whitehall in the first round of the regional tournament.

Whitehall, with their star, 6’ 9” Samaki Walker, would be a heavy favorite, but anything could happen.

(Continued next week.)

Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.