For the third time in a month the Hillsboro girls’ basketball team knocked off Scenic Bluffs foe Bangor.
This time it was for a regional title.
Saturday night senior center Sami Levy scored a team-high 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the host Tigers to a 35–30 victory in the D5 Hillsboro regional final.
The Tigers (21–4) advance to face fourth-seeded Gilmanton (12–11) in a sectional semifinal final contest at Neillsville Thursday night at 7 p.m.
The Panthers upset top-seeded Eleva–Strum (15–9) in Friday’s regional semifinal, then defeated second-seed Independence (15–10) 49–36 in Saturday’s regional final round.
“It is hard to beat a good team like Bangor three times in a season,” said Hillsboro head coach Ron Benish. “I was proud of our defensive effort as our girls held them to only 30 points in the contest. The team has developed into a very good team defensively. I hope to see many fans at Neillsville Thursday. Thanks for all your continued support this season. The girls and the program really appreciate it.”
Hillsboro jumped out to 11–3 first quarter lead in Saturday’s regional final then outscored Bangor in the second quarter to take a 20–9 lead into the locker room at the half.
But the Cardinals (15–9) came roaring back after intermission with 13–4 run in the third to pull within two points at 24–22.
The Tigers held on throughout the fourth quarter and put the game away by making just enough free throws. Sophomore Destiny Shore made 3 of 4 in the period. Levy made a pair in the final minute to help secure the win.
The Cardinals got within two points several times in the fourth but Hillsboro always fired back to keep the lead.
Shore finished with eight points and three rebounds.
Senior Macy Mislivecek added seven points and four rebounds. Sophomore point guard Mackenzie Sullivan chipped in two points, seven assists and two rebounds.
Junior guard Morgan Horstman finished with 17 points to lead Bangor.
Friday night Hillsboro hammered visiting La Farge 47–29 in a regional semifinal at Hillsboro High School.
Hillsboro held La Farge (11–11) scoreless in the first quarter and never trailed in the game.
Levy scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Senior guard Kelsey Skala added 15 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Last Tuesday night eighth-seeded Royall tried to slow the game to hang with Hillsboro, but the Tigers completely dominated the shorthanded Panthers (11–11) defensively.
Hillsboro held Royall to just two points through the first three quarters en route to a 26–14 victory. Hillsboro led 19–2 going into the fourth quarter.
Royall was without four of its regular players.
Levy finished the game with 10 points and five rebounds to lead Hillsboro.
