Hillcrest mauls East Rankin Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
East Rankin was in a bad position last night. The Patriots had the daunting task of playing at second ranked Hillcrest two days after the Cougars were upset 63-55 on the road by Canton. It didn’t take long for Hillcrest to leave little doubt that they were in no mood for another upset as the Cougars dismantled East Rankin 66-32 on senior night. Point guard Josh Rogers led all scorers with 22 points as Hillcrest improved to 23-3 with just one game remaining before the district 3AA tournament begins next week. 
(Above) Josh Rogers (#5) of Hillcrest led all scorers with 22 pts
Hillcrest started as though they were shot out of a cannon in racing out to an 11-2 lead just three minutes into the opening quarter. The Cougars converted three early East Rankin turnovers into baskets and Preston Haynes drained an early 3-pointer from the wing to help propel a smooth transition game to an early lead. The onslaught continued as Hillcrest grabbed a rebound off an East Rankin shot and quickly threw an outlet pass to Josh Rogers who lofted a soft floater in the lane for a 13-2 Cougar lead. Rogers put Hillcrest up 16-2 on their next possession as the southpaw hit all bottom for a 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:25 mark. East Rankin closed the gap to 23-12 on a Spencer Shoemaker assist to Brian Boyles and Tyler Rhodes hit a shot off the glass plus one to end the first quarter.
Hillcrest opened the second quarter with thirteen straight points as five different players contributed to give the Cougars a 38-12 advantage with 1:04 left in the half. Tyler Madden’s two free throws got East Rankin on the board in the quarter with 55 seconds remaining but Austin Hartzog finished with a basket from the elbow and one of two free throws to give Hillcrest their biggest lead of the game at 41-14 entering the halfway point.
(Above) Chris Prather (#22) of Hillcrest launches a 3-pointer
Hillcrest picked up right where they left off to start the third quarter as the Cougar pressure defense made it difficult on the East Rankin offensive sets. Josh Rogers nailed another 3 –pointer just one minute into the quarter to put Hillcrest up 44-14. A Remarcus Stallings assist to Chris Prather closed out the third quarter with Hillcrest on top 59-28.
Hillcrest emptied the bench in the final quarter as the Cougars rolled to a 66-32 home win on senior night.
Josh Rogers led all scorers with 22 points, Austin Hartzog and Preston Haynes each had 11, Chris Prather added 6 and Spencer Burroughs 2.
“We played well defensively tonight, lots of forced turnovers” said Hillcrest head coach James Crain. “Offensively we did okay but we can get better, a lot of kids played tonight. We’ve been consistent the whole season and if we can remain that way we’ll be successful when tournament play starts.”
Tyler Gray led East Rankin with 7 points, Mathew Toal and Tyler Madden added 5 each, Brian Boyles had 4, Dylan Cross and Tyler Rhodes 3 apiece and Reed Davis 2.
East Rankin slips to 13-11 with the loss and will host Presbyterian on Saturday.
Hillcrest travels to Jackson Prep Saturday.
(Above) Josh Rogers (#5) of Hillcrest led all scorers with 22 ptsHillcrest started as though they were shot out of a cannon in racing out to an 11-2 lead just three minutes into the opening quarter. The Cougars converted three early East Rankin turnovers into baskets and Preston Haynes drained an early 3-pointer from the wing to help propel a smooth transition game to an early lead. The onslaught continued as Hillcrest grabbed a rebound off an East Rankin shot and quickly threw an outlet pass to Josh Rogers who lofted a soft floater in the lane for a 13-2 Cougar lead. Rogers put Hillcrest up 16-2 on their next possession as the southpaw hit all bottom for a 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:25 mark. East Rankin closed the gap to 23-12 on a Spencer Shoemaker assist to Brian Boyles and Tyler Rhodes hit a shot off the glass plus one to end the first quarter.
Hillcrest opened the second quarter with thirteen straight points as five different players contributed to give the Cougars a 38-12 advantage with 1:04 left in the half. Tyler Madden’s two free throws got East Rankin on the board in the quarter with 55 seconds remaining but Austin Hartzog finished with a basket from the elbow and one of two free throws to give Hillcrest their biggest lead of the game at 41-14 entering the halfway point.
(Above) Chris Prather (#22) of Hillcrest launches a 3-pointerHillcrest picked up right where they left off to start the third quarter as the Cougar pressure defense made it difficult on the East Rankin offensive sets. Josh Rogers nailed another 3 –pointer just one minute into the quarter to put Hillcrest up 44-14. A Remarcus Stallings assist to Chris Prather closed out the third quarter with Hillcrest on top 59-28.
Hillcrest emptied the bench in the final quarter as the Cougars rolled to a 66-32 home win on senior night.
Josh Rogers led all scorers with 22 points, Austin Hartzog and Preston Haynes each had 11, Chris Prather added 6 and Spencer Burroughs 2.“We played well defensively tonight, lots of forced turnovers” said Hillcrest head coach James Crain. “Offensively we did okay but we can get better, a lot of kids played tonight. We’ve been consistent the whole season and if we can remain that way we’ll be successful when tournament play starts.”
Tyler Gray led East Rankin with 7 points, Mathew Toal and Tyler Madden added 5 each, Brian Boyles had 4, Dylan Cross and Tyler Rhodes 3 apiece and Reed Davis 2.
East Rankin slips to 13-11 with the loss and will host Presbyterian on Saturday.
Hillcrest travels to Jackson Prep Saturday.
HC...23...18...18...7...66
ER...12.....2...14...4...32
