Click here for the HHC boys basketball report for Feb. 27, 2018
Player of the Week
Mason Gillis, New Castle
Gillis closed the regular season with a 25-point, 12-rebound performance in an 88-52 win over Mississinewa, then followed it up with 33 points and 19 rebounds in a 79-60 win over Muncie Central. He was 21-34 from the floor in the two games. He finished the regular season the HHC’s leading scorer, rebounder, field-goal shooter and 3-point shooter.
Conference news & notes
- HHC champion New Castle finishes the season 22-2 and ranked No. 1 in the Class 3A poll. The Trojans finished the year with victories over Mississinewa (88-52) and Muncie Central (79-60) behind two double-doubles from Mason Gillis. Gillis had 33 points and 19 boards against Muncie Central, while Luke Bumbalough had 20 points in that game.
- Vernon’s 53-30 Friday win over Yorktown forged an unprecedented five-way tie for second place in the HHC. Delta, Shelbyville, New Palestine, Pendleton Heights and Mt. Vernon all finished 4-3 in league play.
- Three MV players scored in double figures in the final HHC game – Damari Gatewood and Peyton Meadors had 14 points each, while Brandon Bell scored 10. Bobby Smith led Yorktown with eight points.
- New Palestine had five players in double figures in a 77-69 Friday win over Greenwood. Matthew True, Dawson Eastes and Gavin Hausz scored 16 points each, while Dylan Romine and Maximus Gizzi hit double figures.
- Several other players had big individual performances last week. Delta’s Josh Bryan scored 33 points on 13-18 shooting, to go along with 11 rebounds, in a 73-43 win over Muncie Burris. Greenfield-Central’s Will O’Connor had 32 points and six boards in an 86-79 OT loss to Plainfield.
- HHC teams open sectional play this week. Four teams are at Richmond, where Pendleton Heights and New Palestine meet on the opening night. Greenfield-Central meets Connersville, with the winner moving on to face Mt. Vernon. Three teams are at New Castle, where the hosts meet Hamilton Heights in the opener. Blackford meets Yorktown Tuesday, with the winner facing Delta. Shelbyville opens sectional play at Columbus East against Columbus North.
- The HHC has a .616 non-conference winning percentage, sixth-best in the state. Six of the eight teams have won at least 11 games.
