Tied 40-40 going into the fourth quarter, Hillsboro scored the next eight points and 28 in the final eight minutes to run away with a 68-53 win over Lutheran South in the Class 4 District 3 boys basketball championship on Friday night.
The host Hawks were the No. 1 seed in the district and improved to 23-4. Hillsboro has won 15 games in a row and hasn’t lost since Dec. 29. The Lancers were the No. 2 seed and completed their season with a record of 16-11.
In the last three years under head coach Dan Johnson, the Hawks have stacked up three district titles, a record of 72-13, and they are virtually unbeaten at home, with just one loss. Hillsboro plays District 4 champion St. Mary’s (15-12) in the sectional round at Kirkwood at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Senior forward Michael Brewer carried three fouls into the fourth quarter, but the Hawks’ leading scorer stayed in the game until the end and he finished with a game-high 20 points. Juniors Mark Moore (18 points) and Evan Worley (15) were the other two Hillsboro players to score in double figures. Nick Wagner led the Lancers with 17 points.
For a full account of this game, read Thursday’s Leader.