WMU sweeps Hillcrest

WINFIELD — It took overtime the first time Winfield-Mount Union and Hillcrest Academy met in boys’ basketball. On Tuesday night in Winfield, the Wolves were out to make sure it wasn’t as close the second time around.

In a much different-looking contest, the WMU boys knocked off Hillcrest Academy 59-42. That completed the day’s sweep, as the 11th-ranked (1A) Lady Wolves won 63-4.

The WMU boys had to shake off some adversity early. After a handful of baskets inside, leading scorer Cam Buffington picked up two quick fouls midway through the first quarter.

The Wolves, however, didn’t miss a beat. After leading 15-9 at the first horn, the Wolves won the second quarter 15-3 to take a 30-12 lead into halftime, thanks in part to three 3-pointers from Gabe Hemsworth off the bench.

“We get guys like Gabe coming off the bench and knocking down shots like that, It's huge,” said WMU head coach Klay Edwards.

In the second half, the Wolves’ onslaught inside was on. Hillcrest Academy began to find its rhythm on offense, but WMU had a good night on the offensive boards, and the Ravens couldn’t ever get it back within single digits.

“I felt like our guys competed in the second half,” said Ravens head coach Dwight Gingerich. “They bounced back and played much better, but I just wish we could have done a little better in the first half.”

WMU continued to lead 43-23 after three quarters, and did enough in the fourth to stay in front despite a 19-point quarter from the Ravens.

Abram Edwards led the Wolves with 18 points, in the win, and pulled down 13 rebounds. Buffington finished the game with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Hemsworth and Jake Edwards went for 11 points apiece. Carter Loyd scored three, and Cooper Buffington had two.

Hillcrest leading scorer Grant Bender struggled to score in the first half, but still finished with 16 at the end of the game, a tough task against a daunting WMU front line.

“We just had to try and stay in front of him as best we can,” Abram Edwards said. “We had a lot of backside help.”

Luke Schrock scored 13 for the Ravens. Seth Ours had eight. Jace Rempel finished with three, and Josiah Beachy finished with two.

The win moved WMU to 7-1 in North Division play, one game behind WACO (6-0) in the loss column. Hillcrest Academy still is in the race, sitting at 5-2 in conference play.

The WMU girls came into their game undefeated, and the Ravens were still looking for their first win. There were no surprises, as the Wolves continued to roll in North Division play.

The WMU defense was unbreakable early. The Wolves led 17-1 after one quarter, and 37-1 at the half.

“We started out very well,” said Lady Wolves head coach Mendy McCreight. “We've been working on some different things in practice, and we got to put it out there.”

The Wolves continued to lead, 55-1, after three quarters. WMU won the fourth, 8-3.

Bradie Buffington went for 22 points and eight rebounds to lead the Wolves. Melina Oepping scored 17 points, and led the team with five steals.

Mariana Piper scored 11 points off the bench. Keely Malone and Madisen Kellogg scored four each. Keetyn Townsley and Lyn Townsley each scored two, and Pacey Schlee finished with one.

Hillcrest Academy’s Malia Yoder finished with three points after converting on a three-point play in the fourth. Niva Helmuth scored one.

The WMU girls are now 11-0, still the only unbeaten team in the North Division. Hillcrest fell to 0-10.