The Vikings put a scare into Hillman

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Posen put a scare in 19-1 Hillman March 10 at the Class D district tournament at Hale. The Vikings (12-10) were down by one, 47-46, and had possession of the ball in the final 30 seconds, but Hillman came up with a defensive stop and made their free throws to fend off a strong Viking challenge. The final score was 51-46. “We put out a good effort,” said senior co-captain Scott Couture. “It was the best game we played against them this year. I’m so proud of these guys.”

Posen set the tone in the semifinal game, leading the entire second half of the first quarter. The score was 15-9 near the end of the first. The game stayed close until the final buzzer, which is a far cry from the first two meetings won by Hillman by 18 and 27. ?They played really loose, they were focused on what they had to do,? said head coach Steve Hentkowski. ?Our defense was very sound.? He said six missed layups in the fourth quarter was the difference. ?If we put in half of those, we?re going home with a ?W,? ? he added. ?I?m not disappointed in these guys. We had a great season.?

“I think we really came out ready to play today,” said senior co-captain Luke Bruski. “I was pretty proud of our guys. We came out with no fear and ended the season on a hardworking note.” Hentkowski said the players went further in the tournament compared to a year ago and doubled their win total. MIDWAY THROUGH the first quarter, the Vikings Jerome Ciarkowski, who would score a game-high 20 points, made a three-point play that probably gave Hillman an idea that their path to the district final would be tougher than expected.

David Kerr’s put back, another field goal by Ciarkowski, a drive to the bucket by Shane Hentkowski and a jumper by Travis Hirschman put Posen out in front by six, 15-9. Hillman regrouped and scored the next seven straight, forcing coach Hentkowski to call timeout to put a stop to the shifting momentum. The Tigers got the next point, but Posen regained the lead (19-17) on a reverse layup by Hentkowski that was followed by a steal and a layup by Ciarkowski.

The scoring was nearly even until halftime. Kerr scored four and Bruski put in two from the free-throw line in the second. The score at the break was 25-23 in favor of Hillman. The Tigers extended their lead to three, 28-25, before Ciarkowski scored the next four to give the Vikings their last lead of the night. HILLMAN WENT on a 10-2 run to close out the third. They were out in front by eight, 39-31, before Posen took their last shot, getting a put back by Ciarkowski, free throws by Kerr and a three by Couture to get within three, 41-38.

Couture also hooked up with a cutting Ciarkowski to make it a one-point game, 41-40. Hillman called a timeout, and it paid off, as they came back with the next two pivotal field goals (45-40). Posen had open looks, but couldn?t get some of their fourth quarter shots to fall the way they did earlier in the game. Hillman spread out their offensive to take time off the clock, however, Ciarkowski got a steal that led to a baseline drive by Hentkowski (45-44) with a minute left. Hillman had the calls go their way down the stretch. Ciarkowski’s attempted block was called a foul with 28 seconds left and a key inbound pass by Hillman should have been

a turnover on the Posen end.

DOWN 47-46, Couture dribbled the ball down the floor with 10 seconds remaining, got passed the half-court line and was triple teamed and couldn?t hang on to the ball. “I wanted the ball in Scott’s hands for the last shot,” said Hentkowski. “I didn’t care where it came from on the floor. I know he’s capable of making that kind of shot. They double and triple teamed Scott coming across the half-court line and he lost the dribble.? Hillman made four straight free throws in the final 7.7 seconds, two on a technical foul, to end the upset bid.

“I’m sorry to the see the senior’s season end like this because I know we had a chance at the ‘W’, but I’m not disappointed in these guys in the least,” said Hentkowski. Ciarkowski had a team-high seven rebounds, Kerr had 10 points and five boards, while Hentkowski had eight points and six boards. Hillman lost to Hale in the title game two nights later and Hale saw their season end against Cedarville at regionals.

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