A Hillsboro team that has struggled to score all season went completely dry during the second quarter of Friday?s game at Hesston, opening the door to a 53-27 Swather victory.
The Trojans (0-1 in the league, 1-6 overall) stayed with Hesston (1-1, 5-2) through the first quarter, trailing 12-11 at the initial break. But the Swathers threw a shutout for the next eight minutes, as Hillsboro missed all 10 of its shots from the field.
Hesston led 24-11 at halftime.
Hillsboro?s Mason McCarty started the third quarter with back-to-back baskets within 15 second to cut Hesston?s lead to single digits at 24-15.
But Hesston responded with a 12-0 run that proved to be the knockout blow. Leading 39-20 by the end of the third quarter, the Swathers pulled steadily away en route to the 26-point victory.
The Swathers shot 46 percent (19-41) from the field while the Trojans finished at just over 24 percent. Ben Bebermeyer led Hillsboro with seven points.
?We?ve got to find a way to put the ball in the basket consistently,? coach Darrel Knoll said. ?In the first half we gave up only 24 points, and I thought we played hard defense.
?Even the second half was not a bad defensive effort?we just have to start putting the ball in the basket,? he added. ?Part of it is shot selection, and we haven?t been finishing well around the basket, which makes it really difficult to put points on the board.
?That?s just where we are right now.?
Coming?Hillsboro?s Jan. 7 home game with Hoisington, postponed because of weather, has been rescheduled for Jan. 29.
The Trojans were scheduled to host Smoky Valley (2-0, 2-5) Tuesday. On Thurs?day, Hillsboro travels to Halstead (1-1, 7-1).
Same-night reports for both games will be posted on the Free Line (620-947-3363) and at hillsborofreepress.com.
