Sports News

Hillsboro’s return to the Region 2 girls basketball tournament was brief.
One game, in fact.
But the Burros had company returning home after losing out in the first round of the region played at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks.
Hatton-Northwood and MayPort-CG were also beaten Monday. Dakota Prairie was sent packing Tuesday following the Knights’ semi-final loss to Fordville-Lankin-Park River, the team that eliminated Hillsboro Monday night.
District 3 took it on the chin this year.
Hatton-Northwood, Dakota Prairie and Hillsboro were ranked last week in the statewide media’s final Class B girls power poll. They all lost.
Midway-Minto and Fordville-Lankin-Park River played for the Region 2 title last night in Grand Forks. The state tournament starts March 1 at Minot. Midway-Minto is the defending region champion.
Playing in the regional for the first time in eight seasons, the Burros had their opportunities to beat the Flyers.
But, again, errant passes, turnovers and missed lay-ups proved costly. The Burros were guilty of 18 turnovers.
The Flyers, meanwhile made 21 of 36 free throws, 14 of 18 in the final quarter.
Ashley Haines, Hillsboro’s 6 ft. center and four-year starter, is now the Burros’ all-time scoring leader in girls basketball with 1,288 points. Haines scored 14 points Monday in breaking Kinsey Cole’s record of 1,284 points.
Junior Katrina Meyer also scored 14 points for the Burros. Meyer was 5 of 11 from 3-pt. range.
“Katrina shot lights out,” agreed coach Kyle Morehart. “She did everything in that department to help us win. I was proud of her effort.”
Hillsboro trailed Fordville-Lankin 15-11 after the first quarter and 31-27 at the half. The teams were tied at 42-all entering the final 8 minutes of action.
The Burros trailed 54-52 with under two minutes to play.
Sent to the foul line, the Flyers didn’t miss.
“They made them when they counted,” commented Morehart.
Hillsboro finished the season with 16 wins and 7 losses.
Haines and Mary Huotari are the only seniors on the team.
Morehart tells how he “couldn’t ask for two more dedicated athletes.”
When Morehart accepted the head coaching job four years ago, Haines and Huotari were freshmen.
“They were the girls I needed to buy into the program. They did just that. Everything I expected of them they did.”
Said Morehart, “We were fortunate to have these two outstanding student-athletes play for us. They’ll be missed.’