The Hillsboro Lady Indians, coming off consecutive wins over Paint Valley and Blanchester, started the new year on a down note by dropping a 61-44 decision at home to the Mustangs of Lynchburg-Clay.
It was a clear-cut case of the "tale of two halves." The Indians seemed to be in good shape in the first and second periods. They led by a 14-11 count at the end of quarter number one (with Eden Edenfield dominating the backboards).
LCHS came back in the second stanza to outscore Hillsboro by a basket to cut the halftime lead to 25-24. So, it was still anyone's game.
However, the Mustangs came out in the third quarter to hold the hometown Indians scoreless for 4 minutes and 53 seconds. While the visitors were playing such stout defense, they also began to light up the scoreboard by hitting for 24 points (while holding HHS to only 2). As the teams came out on the court for the fourth period, the Mustangs had turned the game completely in their favor (leading 48-27).
Both teams substituted freely in the final quarter with Hillsboro outscoring LCHS by 17-13.
Coach Lewis, in her tenth year at the helm of the Mustangs, was pleased with the play of her younger players who provided much-needed energy in the turnaround. On the other side, Scott Haines (substituting for Head Coach Chad Fields), said that he and the team talked frankly about what strides the team will need to take to get ready for another test this Saturday when
HHS will host the Chillicothe Lady Cavaliers. Gracie Dean, a junior for the Lady Indians, scored a game high of 16 points. For her efforts she was named the WSRW " player of the game."