Photos Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy Yearbook

It was an opening night win for the Hillcrest Academy Raven girls basketball team as they defended their home floor 62-60 against the visiting Moravia Mohawks. Both teams were hot from the field early with the Ravens leading 19-17 after one. Hillcrest controlled the second period with a 16-2 run that lasted the entire frame to go up 35-19 at the break. The Ravens would extend that lead to 54-34 going to the fourth. In the final stanza, the Mohawks put together a frantic rally that saw them outscore the Ravens 26-8, but fall a possession short in the comeback.

Hillcrest shot 46% from the floor, compared to 37% for Moravia and hit eight threes to the Mohawks four. Moravia won rebounds 35-33, steals 25-12 and turnovers 37-24. The Ravens had 22 assists to 14 for the Mohawks. Individual Raven leaders included Claire Withrow with 33 points, including seven made threes. Niva Helmuth had a double double with 10 points and 11 boards. She also added four steals. Brynna Boshart had five assists. The Ravens are 1-0 on the year and take on Cedar Valley Christian tonight.