For the second time in as many weeks, the KCII Area Game of the Week features a pair of conference rivals as the Hillcrest Academy Ravens travel to Lone Tree for a boy/girl doubleheader with the Lions.
It’s been a terrific start to the season for Hillcrest girls basketball, who picked up their second win of the season Saturday, defeating Morningstar Academy 57-31. Not only was this the Ravens’ highest scoring output since 2021, but it already surpasses the team’s win total from the previous two years combined. Much of that has to do with a strong group of juniors and a hot start from sophomore Claire Withrow. Withrow is averaging nearly 20 points per game through the first four, and is tied for second in 1A basketball with 15 made three-pointers. As a team, Hillcrest averages 42.5 points per game and is allowing just under 38.
They face a tough task tonight in a Lone Tree team off to a 4-1 start. A three-game win streak to begin the season was interrupted by a loss to Columbus last week, but the Lions rebounded on Friday, handling Highland 46-22. They are outscoring their opponents by an average of 20 points per contest, with multiple play-makers at their disposal. Sophomore Finley Jacque has the sixth-most points in 1A with 84, Alyson Ford is top-10 with 44 boards, and Vivian Zaruba’s 18 assists is tied for fourth-most to go along with her second-best 24 steals. As a team, Lone Tree’s girls are first or second in their class in points, rebounds, steals, field goals attempted and made, three-point attempts, and free throws made and attempted. Lone Tree has dominated the matchup as of late, taking the last seven from the Ravens.
In the boys’ contest, Hillcrest Academy has jumped to a 3-0 start, despite losing four seniors from a year ago. The Ravens flew past Rivermont Collegiate Saturday by a final score of 63-28. Entering just their second conference game, they are scoring more than 61 points per night, while giving up 31. Seth Ours, the only returning starter, has used that experience to lead Hillcrest with 63 points in their first three games. Sophomore Rowan Miller, who got significant minutes last year has a team-high 18 assists, and freshman Kale Bailey is tops in rebounds with 18. The Ravens are shooting more than 42% from the field and making more than one-third of their three-pointers.
Lone Tree is right behind the Hillcrest boys in the Superconference standings at 2-1, but with one more conference win, after beating Columbus and Highland last week. A couple of lopsided scores through the early goings has the Lions scoring and allowing 54 points per game. Sophomore Emmett Burke has led the way in the scoring department with 39 points and is a perfect 9/9 from the stripe. Ethan Bockelman and Reece Holbrook are two other Lions with more than 20 points already. Lone Tree looks to end the current Raven win streak both this season, and in the series. Hillcrest has won the last five between the two, including 78-48 and 61-50 wins last year.
You can catch this Superconference doubleheader live on the KCII3 stream, available at KCIIRadio.com. Coverage starts with the Area Game of the Week Pregame Show at 5:30 p.m., tip of the girls game at 6, and the boys to follow from Lone Tree.