Wilsonville Spokesman Online

Hillsboro 44, Wilsonville 42: Hillsboro knocks off Wildcats, now three-way tie for first

Wilsonville’s late comeback attempt falls just short on Friday

• By: Alex Tam  
• Published: 1/27/2010 9:34:16 AM

HILLSBORO — The Wilsonville boys basketball team had its eight-game winning streak snapped on Friday in a 44-42 loss to Hillsboro on the road.

For the No. 2 Wildcats, it was their first loss against a team from Oregon this season as they dropped to 15-2 overall and 5-1 in Northwest Oregon Conference play.

The loss created a three-way tie for first place in league with Wilsonville, Sherwood (10-4 overall, 5-1 NWOC) and Glencoe (9-6, 5-1).

The Wildcats trailed 44-37 with 30 seconds to go, and made a late rally that began with junior Michael Etzel’s score. Sophomore Kevin Marshall then scored five straight points off a three-pointer and two free throws to cut the deficit to 44-42 with six seconds remaining.

Hillsboro senior Justin Drake had a chance to ice the game with two free throws, but missed both. The Wildcats got the rebound but could not get a shot off in time after slipping to the ground at midcourt to end the game.

“I’m proud that we fought back and did not quit,” coach Chris Roche said. “That says something. But it was disappointing overall because we were out-competed for the great majority of the game. They were tougher, worked harder and played with more enthusiasm than we did. We were too quiet and not fiery enough most of the game.”

The Spartans (7-10, 4-2) now sit one game back of first place.

Hillsboro took advantage at the free-throw line, getting 17 attempts, including 11 in the fourth quarter. The Spartans shot 10 of 17, while the Wildcats were 7 of 9.

“Sometimes, especially on the road, that can happen,” Roche said. “You just have to overcome it but it was not just the free-throw disparity. It was also some timely shots by (Dominique) Mims and (Joseph) Jackson. We let those guys get loose a bit too much down the stretch.”

Marshall and junior Seth Gearhart led the Wildcats with 11 points each, and senior Michael MacKelvie added 10. Junior Jalen James had eight points.

Mims led the Spartans with a game-high 15 points as the lone Hillsboro player in double figures.

The Spartans also won the battle of loose balls, 15-4.

“We have a great group of guys,” Roche said. “But we’re still learning how to compete all out, letting it go, with leaders and having fun. I’m very excited to see how we will respond to this challenge because the two teams we play next — Sherwood and Glencoe — are among the very toughest in our league.”

The Wildcats get their shot at overcoming their first real sign of adversity on Friday when they host Sherwood at 7:15 p.m.

“We are going to have to face our issues and as a team fight through them,” Roche said.

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Wilsonville Wildcats	5	16	7	14	42
Hillsboro Spartans	10	9	9	16	44

WILSONVILLE — Kevin Marshall 11, Seth Gearhart 11, MacKelvie 10, James 8, Etzel 2, Mcniel, Schwarzer, Koford
HILLSBORO — Dominique Mims 15, Fernstrom 9, Lyerla 8, Jackson 6, Drake 4, Hafez 2, Myers, Luttrell

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Wilsonville Wildcats	17	11	23	15	66
Parkrose Broncos	8	11	11	15	45

WILSONVILLE — Seth Gearhart 21, MacKelvie 15, Marshall 12, Schwarzer 7, Conroy 5, Etzel 3, McNiel 2, James 1, Koford 1, Livesay, Munson, Haqq, Shelton
PARKROSE — Julian Faciane 8, Marquis Hammick 8, Parks 7, Vance 7, Flintroy 6, Lowe 4, Clegg 3, Curry 2, Fong, Boland

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