Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy Yearbook
The Hillcrest Academy Raven boys basketball team added more hardware to the trophy case and finished as one of the best in 1A in several stat categories this season.
Hillcrest was one of the most efficient teams in the state, shooting 48.7% from the floor as a group, sixth highest in Class 1A, led by junior Kale Bailey at 63.3%. Their 643 made shots as a team were 10th most in 1A basketball, led by Bailey’s 190. The Ravens were ninth in 1A, averaging 16.8 assists per game. Hillcrest was led by the best helper in the state, senior Rowan Miller and his state-leading 7.6 dimes per game for 189 total. The Ravens got it done on defense without fouling, averaging just 10 whistles per game as a team, 10th lowest in 1A, with Miller’s 86 steals 10th most in the state.
Hillcrest finished with a 20-5 overall record, their first 20 win season since 2018. The Ravens were 15-1 champions of the North Division of the Southeast Iowa Superconference, the second straight year they have won the league, and first time they have gone back-to-back in 15 seasons.