Late spark vaults Hillsboro boys past Lyons in sub-state opener

Written by Don Ratzlaff Thursday, 28 February 2013 21:58

Harry Faber looks for the outlet pass against Lyons defender Alan Pina during the first half of Thursday's game. Faber came through with 13 points in the game.   Shaq Thiessen splits the Lyons defense for a chance at a fastbreak layup during the first half. Thiessen missed the attempt, but got hot late to help HHS past Lyons, 49-38. The Hillsboro boys rediscovered the intensity switch just in time to save their season Thursday night. The Trojans used an 11-2 burst in the final three minutes of the third quarter to vault into the sub-state semifinals with a 49-38 win over Lyons in Brown Gymnasium.

With the Trojans trailing 26-24 after suffering through three straight turnovers, Shaq Thiessen hit a deep three-point shot at the top of the key with 3:01 left in the third period. It turned out to be a game-changer. After Lyons missed a shot on its end, Thiessen hit a second three seconds later. Thiessen then forced a Lion turnover, and Harry Faber got into the act with a three-point basket from the wing with 1:14 to go.

Suddenly, Hillsboro was up, 33-26. After Lyons scored, Thiessen added a 15-foot basket with four seconds left to give Hillsboro a 35-28 lead at the end of the quarter.

The Trojans continued to play with sharper focus in the fourth quarter. Lyons’ Matthew Vincent scored 12 seconds in, but Josh Wiebe completed a three-point play on a basket and foul in the paint, then Brett Weinbrenner scored on a reverse layup about two minutes later to give Hillsboro a 40-30 lead with 5:38 to go.

At that point, the Trojans began draining the clock and eventually the game turned into a foul-fest as the Lions tried to get the Trojans into the one-and-one. Once achieved, Hillsboro made five of its next six free throws to secure the win.

The Trojans actually got off to a solid start, and led 11-7 after one quarter. Hillsboro maintained a small lead until literally the final second of the half when Vincent lofted a desperation shot from just inside the halfcourt line. The shot hit nothing but net and gave Lyons a 21-20 advantage at intermission.

Weinbrenner finished as high-point man for Hillsboro with 15 points, but Faber and Thiessen were close behind with 13 apiece. As a team, the Trojans shot 55 percent (18-38) in the second half compared to 40 percent (8-20) in the first half. Lyons shot 28 percent (12-43) for the game.

With the win, Hillsboro improves to 13-8 for the season and will play Haven (13-8) in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Lyons finishes the season at 10-11. Earlier in the evening, Haven defeated Halstead, 51-45, and Marion defeated Hutch Trinity, 56-31. Marion (16-5) will play Sacred Heart (13-8) in the other semifinal game at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

In the girls’ bracket, Hillsboro will play Southeast of Saline in the semifinals at 6 p.m.