The Hillsboro Indians punched their ticket to the Division II Sectional Championship with a 58-52 victory over Washington Court House Tuesday night from Southeastern High School.
Hillsboro held the Blue Lions scoreless until the 2:24 mark of the first quarter and held Washington to just five first quarter points. Hillsboro was able to take a ten point lead into the half, 26-16 behind 11 points from Junior Ethan Watson and 10 points from Phillip Mycroft. The Indians were 12-21 shooting in the first half for 58% and were 1-6 from beyond the arc for 17%. Washington in the first half shot just 6-21 for 29% and were 2-11 from beyond the arc for 18%.
The Blue Lions outscored Hillsboro in the second half but weren't able to get the lead below two points. They outscored Hillsboro 17-14 in the third quarter to cut the lead to seven going into the final frame 40-33, and outscored them 19-18 in the final period. Washington did everything they could and their shooting percentage improved quarter by quarter but Mycroft, Watson and the Indians proved to be too much as Hillsboro held on for a 58-52 victory.
Ethan Watson led the for Hillsboro on the night scoring 22 points and Senior Phillip Mycroft added 20. Mycroft was a force to be reckoned with in the paint, he drew double teams all night long, leaving open Indian players to knock down easy buckets. Hillsboro finished 24-43 inside the arc for 56%, they were just 2-10 from beyond the arc for 20%, they made 8-12 free throws and committed 18 turnovers.
Washington Court House (3-18) was able to keep it close thanks to Junior's Dylan Steward, Evan Upthegrove and Blaise Tayese who combined for 46 of the teams 52 points. Steward led with 19 points, Upthegrove had 17 and Tayese chipped in 10 points. Washington shot 18-45 from the field for 40%, were 8-23 from beyond the arc, shot 7-11 from the charity stripe and committed 15 turnovers.
Hillsboro (8-15) moves on to face Fairland the number 1 seed for the Sectional Championship on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Southeastern High School.