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Hillcrest ousts Keota, Mid-Prairie moves on
Ravens, Golden Hawks still alive in small school boys action
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
KALONA — It was a clash of the Union area titans on Thursday night in Kalona, as Hillcrest Academy welcomed in Keota in a Class 1A District 7 semifinal.
In a ruckus environment, the Ravens staved off the Eagles 61-50, moving Hillcrest Academy just two wins away from a state tournament berth.
“It's a big win over a very good team, and a very good program,” said Hillcrest Academy head coach Dwight Gingerich. “The last two years, we've had a tough time with Keota.”
The Eagles had beaten the Ravens by 30 points or more in each of the last two years, but Hillcrest had a 1-0 record this season against the Eagles, and the Ravens were determined to make it 2-0.
Hillcrest led the game 17-9 after one quarter, but Keota came storming back to cut the lead down to was little as one point. At the half, the Ravens led by three, at 28-25.
The much taller Eagles held control in the rebound battle in the second quarter, but Hillcrest Academy’s patient offense helped the Ravens continue to stay ahead.
Hillcrest would hit seven 3-pointers in the game, including a dagger to the Eagles’ heart by Bryce Bailey in the final minutes. Bailey would go 4-for-8 from beyond the arc in the victory.
“We were all going pretty hard. It felt good seeing everyone give it their best,” said Bailey. “I feel like nobody took a play off.”
Bailey finished tied for the team lead in points. Mason Bender also had 14 on the night. Rowan Miller had 12 points and eight assists. Seth Ours scored 11. Kale Bailey had eight, and Lincoln Miller finished with two.
“When four of your main scorers are in double digits, it's really hard to scout you,” Bender said. “When we score like that, it shows that we're sharing the ball, and that is probably due to our team chemistry.”
The big challenge inside was the attempt to contain star big man Billie Kindred. The Keota standout finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and four steals before fouling out of the game.
“Billy Kindred is a phenomenal player,” Bender said. “He's super strong, and it was a battle inside all night long.”
Jace Chalupa scored 14 points for the Eagles. Jackson Vittetoe put up 10. Chase Haifley scored eight, and Porter Cave ended the night with two.
While Keota ended it’s season 19-4, Hillcrest Academy moved to 21-3. The Ravens will travel to top-seeded North Linn (21-2) on Tuesday night in a district final, which also serves as the Substate 4 semifinal.
The Ravens won’t be the only team from the area to have a big game on Tuesday night. Mid-Prairie (18-4) takes on West Burlington (20-2) in the Class 2A District 9 final, at Mt. Pleasant.
The Golden Hawks earned that spot by blasting Mediapolis 58-40 on Thursday. Brady Weber and Bryce Henry each scored 16 points in the win, and Brooks Weber added 12, on four made 3-pointers.
