Hinton knocks off sixth-ranked Heelan 48-38

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Hinton's Britni Freed nets two points in the Blackhawks' 48-38 win over Sioux City Heelan on Saturday. Freed totaled 16 points in the win. [Click to enlarge]

After a lengthy Christmas vacation, Class 2A No. 15 Hinton held off Class 3A's defending state champion Sioux City Heelan on Saturday afternoon, defeating the sixth-ranked Crusaders 48-38 to maintain a perfect 7-0 record on the season.

"I am really proud of the way our girls came out and played," Hinton coach Joel Small said. "It was a good win for our girls against the defending state champions."

"I thought we came out and played pretty well after such a layoff."

The game was the Blackhawks' first contest since December 15; the Crusaders last played on December 12.

Hinton came out strong in the opening quarter, outscoring the visiting squad 14-6. The Blackhawks kept rolling in the second quarter en route to a 26-12 halftime lead.

"I told the girls at halftime, 'We're up 14 and they're going to make a run at you,'" Small said. "I told them to weather the storm and play hard."

The third quarter was a struggle for both teams as each squad netted only seven points, leaving Hinton with a 33-19 lead.

But the shots started to fall for both teams in the final quarter. Hinton had a 17-point lead with four minutes to go but Heelan pulled within seven by the 1:50 mark.

"We came back and were able to take it," Small said of the 48-38 win. "I was very proud of our efforts."

"It wasn't the prettiest win, but a win is a win. Neither of us shot really well from the field - I think our defense might have had something to do with that."

The Blackhawks connected on just 12-of-33 from the field while Heelan was 15-for-55 on all field goals.

A key scoring difference came at the charity stripe. "Our free throw shooting saved us," Small said. His squad sunk 24-of-34 from the line while the Crusaders converted only six-of-18.

Overall, Small was pleased with his defense holding Heelan to one of their lower-scoring contests.

"They're a very quality team, capable of scoring a lot of points, so holding them to 38 points was nice."

Heelan featured two players in double figures, each recording a double-double in the loss. Carli Tritz poured in a game-high 18 points and pulled down 13 boards while Mille Niggeling recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds.

For the Blackhawks, Britni Freed paced her team with 16 points and 11 defensive rebounds. The senior also blocked three shots.

Mackenzie Small was also in double figures with 10 points. She also added seven steals, six assists and five rebounds.

Ashton Moody chipped in nine points and grabbed five rebounds while Briana Babcock added six points.

Abby Hageman dished out six assists and grabbed six steals.

"I'm just pleased with the effort," Small said.

"A win's a win and we're certainly going to take it against a very quality opponent."

With the win, Hinton improves to 7-0 on the season. The Blackhawks are on the road on Monday at Lawton-Bronson before playing 'host' to Gehlen Catholic on Friday afternoon in Sioux City's Tyson Events Center as a part of the CNOS Basketball Classic.

Heelan - ranked sixth in Class 3A - falls to 3-2 on the season.