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Photos Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy

With the winter sports season in the rearview mirror, we take a look back at the basketball seasons for the boys and girls at Hillcrest Academy.

The Raven boys and head coach Dwight Gingerich scored rivalry sweeps this season of both Highland and Lone Tree. A win on Alumni Night, 59-46 over Wapello, gave them a 5-2 record going into the holidays. The second half of the season saw the Ravens capture a big road win at West Liberty, and a first round district victory over Iowa City Regina. Hillcrest lost in the semifinal round of the 1A district tournament at Lynnville-Sully.

Hillcrest shot 32% from three, best in the Superconference North, and 44% overall from the floor, third in the division. Their 61% at the line was second best. They scored the third most points, 1,276, with 557 rebounds, 304 assists, just 270 turnovers, second fewest in the Superconference and 252 steals, second most.

The Ravens had five players named to all-conference teams including senior Grant Bender, a unanimous first team all league pick. He led the Ravens with 423 points this year, third in the Superconference. His 57 steals were fourth in conference, his 56% field goal percentage is sixth in the league with 137 boards, ninth in conference.

Sophomore Seth Ours was also a first team choice. Ours knocked down a team best 55 threes, seventh most in school history for a single year, second in the Superconference, at a 39% rate from downtown, eighth highest.

Senior Luke Schrock was a second team all-conference pick. His 57 steals were tied for the team lead and fourth in the league. His 70 assists were best for the Ravens and ninth in conference.

Two Seniors Jace Rempel and Josiah Beachy were honorable mention selections. The Ravens finished third in the Superconference with a 10-6 record and a 12-11 overall mark.

The Raven girls were a young team that showed improvement during the year. Head coach Mitchell Drey and the girls searched for a win this year, coming close in losses to Tri-County in their season opener, Pekin before Christmas break, and Louisa-Muscatine in the second half of the year. The Raven’s season drew to a close in the first round of the playoffs, falling to Montezuma.

Hillcrest shot 23% from the floor and 21% from three to go with 50% at the line, scoring 467 total points. The Ravens gathered 503 boards, 139 steals and 91 assists.

Hillcrest had three players named to all-Superconference teams including second teamer sophomore Malia Yoder. She finished with 159 points, 77 rebounds, 55 steals, 10th in the SEISC, 39 assists, and 20 blocked shots, fifth most for a single season in Raven history.

Sophomore Lydia Beachy and freshman Claire Withrow were honorable mention choices.. Withrow scored a team best 192 points, including 38 made threes, fourth in the North Division, and sixth most for a single year in school history.

The Ravens finished with an 0-20 overall record, they were 0-16 in conference play.