Not often is the first district game of the season filled with an emotional charge that permeates throughout a gymnasium but that was the case in last night’s intense battle between District 3-AA heavyweights Hillcrest and Simpson. The significance of winning last night’s matchup at Hillcrest was huge in two respects for both squads. Getting the upper hand in district play is crucial and the return of former Hillcrest head coach James Crain who took over the helm at Simpson last spring added to the playoff type atmosphere.
(Above) Hillcrest senior Preston Haynes with 2 of his game high 18 points
In the end, two top five Class AA teams battled as if it were February and Hillcrest gave their first year head coach Wes Prather something to be elated about as the 3rd ranked Cougars held off 4th ranked Simpson in a 56-48 dogfight.
The first basket of the game would not come until the 6:10 mark of the opening quarter when Hillcrest senior Preston Haynes drained a 3-pointer from the wing. In a quarter that saw the lead change hands seven times Simpson would finish with the upper hand on a Devin Millis 3-pointer from the wing with 39 seconds left to give SCA a 14-12 advantage heading into the second quarter. 
(Above) Devin Millis (#21) of Simpson just misses on a block attempt of a Preston Haynes (#12) lay-in
Hillcrest reeled of three straight baskets to start the second quarter and take an 18-14 lead. After Simpson’s Cory Herrington drained a 3-pointer to trim the lead to 18-17 Hillcrest put together a 9-2 run as Preston Haynes converted on two baskets and served up an assist to Grant Baker for another to move out to a 27-19 lead.
Simpson stayed close and a Devin Millis 10 footer off the glass with 17 seconds remaining in the half pulled the Cougars to within six points at 29-23 heading into the break.
Simpson rallied in the third quarter on the hot shooting of Devin Millis. The 6’3” senior nailed down three jumpers and at the 1:46 mark canned two free throws to tie the game at 35-35. 
(Above) Austin Herrington (#31) of Simpson with a 1st quarter drive
Hillcrest converted on 2/4 free throws in the last minute of the quarter to take a 37-35 advantage into the final eight minutes.
Following a Garrett Taylor free throw that trimmed the lead to 37-36 to start the final quarter Hillcrest exploded with nine quick points. Lee Ogletree scored on an inbounds play, Preston Haynes deposited a transition basket, Chris Prather converted a free throw, Malcolm Hopkins set up Ogletree with an assist and a Haynes steal and basket gave Hillcrest their biggest lead at 46-36 with 5:45 remaining.
Hillcrest extended their lead to 50-38 at the 3:58 mark on Lee Ogletree’s basket in the paint and Simpson would get no closer than five points. Hillcrest junior Ben Lewis would put an exclamation on the game with a dunk to close out a 56-48 home district win over Simpson. 
(Above) Ben Lewis (#30) of Hillcrest slams home the last basket
Preston Haynes led Hillcrest with 18 points, Ben Lewis added 12, Lee Ogletree 9, Terrance Staten 7, Chris Prather 5, Robert Johnson 3 and Grant Baker 2.
Drew Millis had 18 for Simpson, Austin Herrington 10, Josh Hankins 8, Cory Herrington 5, Garrett Taylor 3 and Dylan Kennedy and Josh Broadhead 2 each.
Hillcrest improves to 8-2 and 1-0 while Simpson suffers their first loss and falls to 10-1 and 0-1.
