Sports News

Hillsboro rolled over three District 3 opponents this week, improving to 7-2 in the district and 11-4 overall.
The Burros beat Thompson, 47-41, Tuesday; MayPort-CG, 45-32, Saturday; and Griggs County Central, 71-46, last Thursday.
Dakota Prairie played in the Hillsboro Events Center last night (Thursday) in a showdown of two of the district’s top three teams. The 13-2 DP Knights came into the game with a league leading 6-0 record. The Burros are at Central Valley (tonight) Friday and at Larimore next Thursday (Feb. 1) as the regular season winds down for coach Kyle Morehart’s team.
At the start of the season, Morehart’s cagers wanted to be one of the top three seeds in the district tournament, with no more than three or four losses. The Burros, however, will not be satisfied with just a top seeding in the district tournament. Morehart said his team wants to finally get out of the district and into the region tournament.
There, he knows, anything can happen.
Hillsboro has been stymied in post-season play in recent years. Last year, the 5th seeded Burros were eliminated from the 2006 district by Griggs County in the consolation round.
A win against Dakota Prairie would give the Burros a shot at the District 3 No. 1 seed.
“We’ll have to play our best basketball of the season to beat them,” Morehart said early this week.
“They (Knights) have quickness, size and they’re ballhandlers. They have five girls who can score from any spot on the court.”
Hillsboro’s three wins this week didn’t come easy. Admitting his team struggled against MPCG and Thompson, Morehart credited the two opposing district teams for playing good solid defense.
The Burros came ready to play against Griggs County, said coach Morehart. Ashley Haines scored 35 points at Cooperstown last Thursday.
“Ashley continues to put up the points, but give credit to her teammates,” Morehart said. “They’re finding ways to get her the ball.”
It wasn’t a pretty win over Thompson Monday. The Burros opened with a 10-3 first quarter lead and matched the Tommies basket-for-basket the rest of the way. Haines had 18 points against the Tommies.
The Burros were 16 of 43 from 2-pt. range for 37 percent. They were 2 of 3 from the 3-pt. arc. From the free throw line, they were 9 of 19 for 47 percent. The Burros were whistled for 19 fouls and 12 turnovers.
Morehart also credits the play of senior guard Mary Huotari with the Burros’ January success.
“Mary causes fits for the opposing team’s guards. She’s everywhere on the court.”
The veteran perimeter player also “does a great job communicating to the other players on the court” what Morehart wants run.
“Mary has taken that leadership role, she’s an integral part of the recent success we’ve had,” said the coach.
The Burros’ last game on the regular season schedule is against Norman County West on Feb. 5 at the Hillsboro Events Center.