Highland County rivals Hillsboro and McClain met for the third time this season, and for the second time in five nights, as the Tigers defeated the Indians in the Southeast District Division II boys basketball tournament at Southeastern High School, Tuesday night, 47-40.
Hillsboro won the first encounter 55-53 in Hillsboro on the 13th of January, but the Tigers won Friday night in Greenfield 57-45 and, again Tuesday, to claim county bragging rights and also advance to a Saturday contest with fourth seeded Unioto.
McClain lead by 1 point at halftime, 15-14, and extended their lead to 9 points in the fourth quarter before a furious Hillsboro comeback that drew the Indians within 2 points with just under 2 minutes to play. McClain senior Matt Barton followed with a deep three point shot that pushed the Tigers lead to 5 and they would hold on for the win. McClain (9-14) was lead in scoring by Barton who scored all of his 22 points in the second half, and Dalton Mischal who chipped in with 13. Hillsboro (4-19) scoring leaders were Ty Haithcock and Ethan Watson with 10 points each.