ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
Still struggling to find their offensive stride, the Hillsboro High School girls relied on aggressive defense to carry them to a 37-30 win over Halstead Friday night at Brown Gymnasium.
The win raised the Trojans’ record to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the Mid Division of the MCAA. Halstead dropped to 1-6 and 0-2.
After several Trojan missed shots to start the game, Julie Hett got the Trojans off to a 2-0 lead with a bucket at the 6:07 mark.
But the Dragons, led by sophomores Karen Wendling and Lindsey Miles, led 12-8 when the first quarter ended and 16-15 at intermission.
“We started out and missed those four easy baskets right in a row, and that hurt our confidence,” coach Becky Carlson said. “I’m just glad we played good defense. There wasn’t anybody who didn’t get after it.”
As has been the case several times this season, the Trojans came out strong in the third quarter. Hett and Angela Herzet each scored four points toward a 28-20 lead heading into the final period.
Herzet took over early in the fourth quarter. The 5-10 senior post, a consistent producer all season, scored six more points in the first four and a half minutes of the quarter to give Hillsboro a 35-27 lead. That proved to be more than enough for the win.
The Trojans managed just 11 field goals in 50 attempts (22 percent) for the game. Hillsboro was effective from the line, though, hitting 13 of 18.
Herzet led all scorers with 14 points and pulled down six rebounds. Hett added eight points and five rebounds.
“When our offense comes around, we’re really going to be something because we play good defense,” Carlson said. “I can’t slight us for not playing hard, and Halstead played a really good game.”
Coming-The Trojans were scheduled to play at Nickerson on Tuesday. Results are available on the Free Line (947-3363) and the Free Press Web site (old.hillsborofreepress.com).
This Friday they travel to Sterling for an MCAA Mid Division showdown with a tough Black Bears team that is 2-0 in the division and 5-3 overall.
The girls will get the following week off while the boys play in the Trojan Classic.
