Hillsboro boys topple Nickerson
News editor
Darian Ratzlaff poured in 20 points as the Trojans ran roughshod over the visiting Nickerson Panthers 68-41 on Tuesday.
The Panthers kept close early with torrid shooting, canning 7-of-10 shots from the field, but the Trojans held a 20-18 lead at the quarter.
Any hope Nickerson had was squashed in the second quarter when Hillsboro exploded for 22 points in a barrage of treys and turnovers. Tenacious defense took the steam out of the Panthers’ scoring attack, as they shot a frigid 18 percent to trail 42-23 at the half.
Hillsboro shot a respectable 37 percent field, led by the hot hand of Ratzlaff who drained 8 of 15 shots, including a 3-pointer. Elias Werth collected 9 of his 14 points on treys, and Carson Herbel scored 11.
The girls’ game featured teams without dominant scoring threats, placing a premium on working free for open shots in a low-scoring affair.
Too many balls missed the mark for the Trojans, who shot just 17 percent for the game.
Leading 8-6 after the first quarter, Hillsboro weathered 1-for-10 shooting in the second quarter, and the teams were tied at 11 going into halftime.
Hillsboro led by 1 when the scoring wheels fell off in a decisive fourth quarter. The Trojans took 18 shots and connected on a solitary trey, as Nickerson sneaked ahead for a 32-29 win.
Abby Sechrist led Hillsboro with 7.