ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DR
An 8-0 run by Hesston in the last two and a half minutes of the third quarter proved to be decisive as the No. 1 ranked Swathers defeated Hillsboro, 61-47, in the semifinals of the Class 3A sub-state basketball tournament at Southeast of Saline Friday night.
Hesston led 17-13 after the first quarter. Hillsboro pulled to within one, 21-20, on a Ross Duerksen bucket with 3:41 to play in the second quarter, but Hesston scored twice to take a 25-20 lead into the locker room at intermission.
Hesston managed to a 6-2 mini-run to start the third quarter, but after Grant Brubacher scored on a 10-footer to pull Hillsboro back to within five points, 31-26, with 3:16 to go, Hesston’s Ryan Linton hit a five-footer with 2:38 left in the quarter to start the 8-0 run that ended on a 3-point bucket at the buzzer.
Hillsboro tried to battle back, but Hesston hit 18 of 26 free throws in the final period to foil the Trojans’ hopes for a comeback.
The loss ends Hillsboro season with a 13-9 record. Hesston will play Riley County for a right to move on to the state tournament in Hutchinson. Riley County defeated Marion in the other semifinal game.
WEB FLASH: Hesston ends Hillsboro boys’ season (Mar. 2)
