ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY BRIAN HUXMAN
The Hillsboro eighth-grade boys? basketball team played hard in the third-place game of the MCAA tournament Saturday against Wichita Collegiate, but coming away just short of the win.
After a slow start, Hillsboro was in the hole 10-0 following the first quarter, but narrowed the gap to 14-6 by halftime.
But the Trojans could come no closer, as Collegiate widened the gap and ran away with a 41-27 win and the third-place finish.
Aaron Yoder scored 16 of Hillsboro?s 27 points. Brodie Unrau added four, Dan Yoder three and Tyler Peachey and Jared Fish were held to two points each.
In the semifinals of the tournament on Thursday, Hillsboro lost to the Swathers 52-39.
?Even though we did not win the game, the guys played one of the best games of their season,? coach Dennis Boldt said. ?It was a close contest throughout the first three quarters, but we just couldn?t get the shots to fall in the fourth quarter, and looked tired on defense, allowing easy buckets.?
Hillsboro trailed just 38-35 heading into the final frame, but were outscored 14-4.
Peachey scored 16 points, while Aaron Yoder added 11. Toby Berg scored five, Unrau four and Kyle Jilka three.
The tournament ends the Trojans? season.
