The Hillcrest Academy boys basketball team begins the class 1A district tournament Monday hosting the Holy Trinity Catholic Crusaders. The Ravens enter action at 14-6 on the year. Hillcrest was third in the north division of the Superconference with a 12-4 league mark. They dropped their regular season finale last week at Winfield-Mt. Union 54-28. On the year, Hillcrest scores 50 points per game, shooting 47% from the floor with 24 rebounds, 13 assists, and eight steals per night. Individual leaders for the Ravens include junior Grant Bender with his team best 18 points and six boards per game. His scoring total is third best in the north. Junior Luke Schrock leads the Raven guards with three assists and two steals per night.

Holy Trinity is  6-15 this season, finishing 5-11, sixth in the south division of the Superconference. In their last game they were beaten 75-35 by New London last Tuesday. On the year the Crusaders score 42 per game and shoot 40% from the floor with 25 rebounds, 11 assists, eight steals and 19 turnovers per game. Their individual leaders include Conner Gehling at 13 points and five boards per contest. Adam Sobczak averages four assists per game. This week, Hillcrest head coach Dwight Gingerich talked about preparing for Holy Trinity. “I thought our guys have really played together well down the stretch. It’s been different guys stepping up. At Highland, Seth Ours knocks down 21, against Lone Tree Grant Bender has 30. Aiden Krabill has really stepped up, Jace Rempel has stepped up and hit some big shots. It’s been a collective team effort from all of our guys. They’re (Holy Trinity) a young team that has really progressed through the year. They are under .500 like a lot of teams would be playing in the south division against the WACOs, Danvilles, and New Londons. Defensively, we are going to need to play at a high level. They are scrappy, we have to take care of the ball. They are going to press. They are very active in their defense. Offensively, hopefully we can really execute well.”

These teams have only met twice in the last dozen seasons with the Ravens winning in 2018 and the Crusaders in 2010. You can hear all of the Hillcrest playoff action live tonight on AM 1380, FM 102.5 and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Washington HyVee Pregame Show at 6:30 and tip off at 7p.m. from Hillcrest Union.