Hillsdale Hornets boys prep hoops drop Homecoming game to Columbia Central

(This article will be updated with a picture of the Homecoming King and Queen when available)

HILLSDALE — Head coach Marc Comstock and the Hornets boys varsity hoops squad have faced a difficult stretch of games to start the month of January. After opening the month with a loss to undefeated Onsted, the Hornets would head back to their home court and drop a close game to Blissfield. The Hornets were looking to rebound for their final game of the week at home against Brooklyn Columbia Central. Fans packed the stands to cheer on the Hornets in what would be the school's homecoming night. Homecoming festivities followed after the game, with Sam Willes and Macy Mueller winning Winter 2022 Homecoming King and Queen. Here is a recap of action. 

The Hornets were not able to rally from a double digit deficit to defeat Columbia Central. Columbia Central would win the game 58-43. Columbia Central's strong defense held the Hornets to just two points in the first quarter, and that strong start on the defensive end of the floor was met with offensive fireworks on the offensive end. 

Columbia Central would hit four from the perimeter to lead 22-2 at the end of one. Hillsdale Senior Damian Happ scored Hillsdale's only bucket of the first quarter. That strong start by Columbia Central would be all they would need to stay ahead of Hillsdale the rest of the game. 

Hillsdale would outscore the Golden Eagles in the second quarter 11-6. However, Columbia Central would still lead 28-13 at the end of the first half. Hillsdale's offense would have it's best quarter yet in the game with a third quarter 16-point surge led by Jack Bowles. Bowles knocked down 2 three's to help pull Hillsdale closer to Columbia Central. However, another 22-point quarter from the Golden Eagles, led by the team's 5 three's, kept Hillsdale in check. The Hornets were down 44-18 at one point in the third quarter, but a 10-point run helped keep the team fighting late. 

The Hornets would then outscore the Golden Eagles 16-6 in the final quarter. Jace Lennox would knock down 2 three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help give the Hornets a 32-point second half. However, the first half deficit would be to great for the team to overcome in the later stages of the contest. The 58-43 win for Columbia Central is the team's third win in a row, and their third LCAA victory in a row. 

The Hornets have now lost three straight games to start January, and now sit at 3-4 on the season. Senior Hornet Jon Torres had 15 points. Jack Bowles had 11 points. Aidan Flannery had five points. Jace Lennox had 10 points. Damian Happ had four points. 

Lennox led the team with five steals. Happ, Torres, and Flannery each had five rebounds. Torres had two assists. 

The Hornets have one more game in their three-game homestretch. The Hornets will take on the Springport Spartans, who have not won a game yet this season. That matchup is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 7:00 p.m.