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Hesston and Hillsboro is probably the best rivalry that you've never heard of. And if you've heard of it, it's at least the one that doesn't get enough publicity.
Ryan Schadler and Wyatt McKinney combined for 30 points and a couple blocks in a 44-43 win over Hillsboro Friday night.
McKinney blocked what would have been a go ahead shot inside of a minute to play, forcing both teams into free throw shooting mode until the end of the game.
Hillboro's Brett Weinbrenner's winning shot bricked off the rim, leading to a tangle up underneath the hoop until time ran out.
"We weren't very good at the end - but when we don't have our point guard playing 30 minutes a game, it's pretty tough," said head coach Greg Raleigh. "We told them to keep battling and we managed to hang on in the end."
Raleigh's son, Grant, broke his foot and had to leave the game for Hesston (15-2).
The game was a fairly even game in the first half, despite a 29-20 Swather lead at halftime.
The Trojans (10-7) came out hitting shots in the second half led by Weinbrenner who finished the night with 15 points. He knocked in three quick buckets for a small 6-0 to get back in it. Harry Faber also knocked in 15 for the Trojans.
Hesston continued to press the ball inside to 6'6" McKinney and it worked, pushing their lead to 10 at it's largest before the fourth quarter.
From there, the team traded baskets but Hesston's lead faded little by little until the Swathers could not ignore it anymore. McKinney blocked another shot before the free throw's took over.
"This puts us in great shape in the league, being two games up now with three to play," Raleigh said following the game. "We had some kids out of position and they stepped up and did OK but we are going to have to go back to the drawing board and rework somethings, thats for sure."
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Good thing Hesston girls basketball team works on their free throws, because they were put to the test Friday night.
Hillsboro pushed the Lady Swathers to the wire in a 40-37 win in Hesston.
Hillsboro's (15-2) Addie Lackey did her best to get her team a victory with 16 points. She knocked in a three-pointer with less than 30 seconds left to make it a one point game. That was the last time they would get so close.
Kelsey Unruh and Caylee Richardson both scored in double figures for Hesston (15-2) and were invaluable in the low post all night.
Hillsboro tried working the long shot with help underneath, and it worked. Hesston stuck to the layup all night.
This was just the second loss of the season for Hillsboro, one of the best girls teams in 3A in the state.