Hillsboro teams didn't reach the state tournament this season, but that doesn't diminish what they achieved.
They fell short of their state tournament dreams, but we congratulate the Hillsboro High School girls' and boys' teams for successful seasons on the hardwood. Today, Saturday's losses versus Hesston in the sub-state finals seem heavy, and it's unfortunate that all but one boys' team and one girls' team in Class 3A has to end a season with a loss. But with the passage of some time, we believe you will look back with pride in what you accomplished.
We already do.
Coach Becky Carlson and her girls' squad accomplished a general goal that all teams strive for-improving with every game. From a .500 record midway through the season, the Trojan girls finished the year by winning nine of their last 11 games. Their only losses? Against state-ranked Wichita Collegiate (22-1) and state-ranked Hesston (20-3). You have no reason to lower your heads, girls, that's for sure.
Coach Darrel Knoll's boys put together one of the best seasons in HHS history, finishing with an outstanding 21-2 record. Only four teams in Coach Knoll's remarkable 17-year tenure at Hillsboro finished with a higher winning percentage than you did.
What many of us admired as much as the results you achieved, was watching the way you played-with tenacity, hustle, tremendous teamwork and a ton of class.
