Holcomb girls finish third, boys rally to top Hesston to win Hillsboro Trojan Classic

Hillsboro, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–The Holcomb Longhorns would have a good Saturday on the final day of the Hillsboro Trojan Classic, as the girls played in the third place game against Clay Center, while the boys were in the championship against Hesston. Holcomb would win the third place game against the Lady Tigers in a 58-46 triumph, while the boys rallied to knock off the defending tournament champion Swathers 42-38.

The girls game sas the Lady Longhorns knocked off the No. 8 team in Class 4A, as they were tied at nine after the first quarter, and led by one at the break. Holcomb would use a 21-point fourth quarter to pull away from Clay Center in a 58-46 win. Leading the way for the Lady Longhorns was Jera Kruleski with 19 points, while Halle Jones added 15 points. Holcomb improved to 9-3 on the year.

On the boys side, Hesston, the three-time Class 3A Champion and defending Hillsboro Trojan Classic Champion, led 13-8 after the first quarter and led by as many as seven in the first half. Holcomb rallied to trail 21-19 at halftime. The Longhorns took a 27-26 lead into the fourth quarter, and took a 38-32 lead in the final period. The Swathers rallied to tie the game at 38, only to see Holcomb go ahead with a free throw with 45 seconds left, and the Longhorns would sink two more charity shots in the final 15 seconds to surive against the No. 4 team in Class 3A 41-38. Brody Deniston led the way for Holcomb with 18 poitns, as the Longhorns improve to 8-4 on the year. 

Up next for Holcomb is a GWAC game against Colby on Friday at home.