The most recent campaign for the Hillcrest Academy boys basketball team was a tale of two seasons, split by the Christmas break. Before the holidays, the Ravens struggled, posting a 2-4 record, including back-to-back losses to Cardinal and Pekin to go into break. The loss to the Panthers, a 61-33 set back on Alumni Night in Kalona. The Ravens then were forced into COVID protocol, missing all but one opportunity to practice over the holidays.
Despite the adversity, the Ravens started January red hot, winning five straight and nine of ten overall to finish third in the north division of the Southeast Iowa Superconference at 10-5. After dropping the Southeast Iowa Superconference Shoot Out in a tight game with Burlington Notre Dame, the Ravens rebounded for a late comeback win over Iowa Valley to open the playoffs, 41-37 before being eliminated by No. 1 North Linn 61-33 in the district semifinals.
The Ravens finished third offensively in the Superconference north at 47.7 points per game. They were also third with 12 assists per game, fourth with nine steals and fifth at 25 rebounds a night. Hillcrest shot 42% from the floor, third in the north, and second from behind the arc at 30%. The Ravens were 59% from the line, third in the north.
Individually, Hillcrest was led by guard Eli Ours. The senior led the Ravens scoring 345 points, second in the north division. He made a league leading 54 threes during the year. His 78 assists were best on the team and third in the league, his 57 steals were third in the conference and best for Hillcrest. Seniors Aaron Hershberger and John Hughes tied for the team lead with 102 rebounds each. Hughes led the Ravens shooting 55% from the floor, third in the north. Ours and Hughes were each first team all-conference selections, with Ours also being named all-substate. Noah Miller was a second team all-SEISC pick and Grant Bender and Aaron Hershberger were honorable mentions.
The Ravens finished the season 13-8 and will say goodbye to five seniors, Ours, Hughes, Hershberger, Will Kolck and Aidan Yoder.