ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY BRIAN HUXMAN
In one of the most exciting basketball games in recent memory, the Hillsboro Trojans boys defeated third-ranked Hesston 63-62 on a last-second shot in double overtime Tuesday night in Hesston.
The Hillsboro boys and girls both came away with wins, but it was the boys’ game that stole the show.
With 12.7 seconds remaining in the second overtime, Hillsboro was facing a two-point deficit. After a timeout, Hillsboro worked the ball around for an open shot. As time was running out, senior Tyson Ratzlaff nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key, giving the Trojans the big win.
Grant Brubacher led Hillsboro with 20 points, followed by Jeremy Loewen with 15 and Ratzlaff with 11.
Meanwhile, the Trojan girls also pulled off a big victory, beating a Hesston Swather team which had defeated them earlier in the season. The final was 47-38.
Hillsboro took control after trailing by two at halftime, using an 11-2 run in the third quarter to take a lead the Swathers couldn’t overcome.
Angela Kroeker led Hillsboro with 19 points, including five in the decisive fourth quarter, to help keep Hillsboro on top.
After facing foul trouble much of the night, sophomore point guard Jill Hein scored all nine of her points in the second half to help the Trojan cause.
The Hillsboro boys are now 11-4 on the season while the girls improve to 13-2.
For a complete game summary and information, check the next issue of the Free Press, coming Feb. 16.
