Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy Yearbook
The sixth biggest story in Hillcrest Academy athletics last year highlights a return to the top of the Southeast Iowa Superconference in boys hoops. The Hillcrest Academy Raven boys basketball team climbed the ladder to take home a share of the North Division Superconference title for the first time since 2011. The Ravens finished league play with a 14-2 mark, tying the WACO Warriors. Hillcrest scored season sweeps of Winfield-Mt. Union, Louisa-Muscatine, Lone Tree, Columbus, Wapello and Highland and split their two games with Pekin and WACO each to stake their claim to the title.
Six Ravens were named All-Superconference including first teamers Seth Ours and Bryce Bailey, second teamers Mason Bender and Rowan Miller and honorable mention choices Lincoln Miller and Kale Bailey. Dwight Gingerich was named Co-Southeast Iowa Superconference Coach of the Year. Hillcrest was in the top 10 of Class 1A in seven different team and individual categories. As a group the Ravens qualified in shooting percentage, assists and assist to turnover ratio. Individually, Rowan Miller was fourth in total assists and assists per game. Kale Bailey was 10th in shooting percentage. The Ravens ranked in the top 10 in school history in points per game allowed and total wins. Individually Ours made the record book in made threes, career points, threes in a season, and free throw percentage. Rowan Miller qualified by breaking the school record for assists in a season and finishing second in assists per game.
The Ravens finished the year 21-4. Our top 10 countdown for Hillcrest sports resumes Monday when we take aim at archery.