The Hillcrest Academy boys basketball team fell below the .500 mark for the season on Tuesday with a 70-62 road loss at Cardinal of Eldon. The Ravens built a small lead early, up 6-2 in the game’s first two minutes, but the Comets closed the first quarter on a 21-4 run to take a lead they would not give up the rest of the night. After falling behind by 16, the Ravens clawed back into the game late in the first half to pull within seven before an Ian Liles banked in three pointer put Cardinal up 41-31 going to the break. Cardinal won the third quarter 11-6 to push their advantage back to 15 going to the fourth. Hillcrest would put together one more charge, cutting the deficit to seven again in the final minute but could get no closer. After the game, Hillcrest head coach Dwight Gingerich talked about his team’s play. “After a rough start in the first quarter and a little bit again in the third quarter, we played pretty well in the second and fourth quarters. We gave up too many offensive rebounds and that probably was the difference in the game. We had some trouble with their penetration in our man so we went to zone and they knocked down threes. I really liked the effort of our guys tonight. The execution leaves a little bit to be desired. This is a team that has a way to go as far as learning what we’re all trying to do. It was good to see Eli Ours shoot the ball well tonight.  He had some good penetration, mixed things up, ran the ball well and his assist numbers went up. I thought it was his best game so far this year. Aaron Hershberger is a guy who continues to get better. I thought tonight he asserted himself more on the offensive end. He has a nice power finish inside after an offensive rebound. Aidan Krabill made some pretty great plays. He surprises you with some of the things he is able to do. He’s natural in his ability to find the open man and he knocked down a couple of jump shots.”

The Comets were led by Blaine Bryant with 25 points including six made three point goals. Dawson Lewis added 19 inside and Griffin Greiner 10. The Ravens got 18 from Eli Ours and 16 from John Hughes. With the loss, Hillcrest is now 2-3 on the season as they head home for Friday’s virtual alumni night contest with Pekin.