By Paul D. Bowker
Gingerich won his 700th career game Saturday as the Ravens drilled Rivermont Collegiate in a nonconference game.
Hillcrest junior forward Grant Bender scored a game-high 21 points and had 7 rebounds, but he had plenty of help. Ten Ravens players participated in the game and seven of them scored. Four of the Ravens were freshmen.
Seth Ours, a freshman scored 11 points, and had 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Josiah Beachy, a junior, came off the bench to score 12 points. Senior guard Noah Miller scored 8 points and junior guard Luke Schrock scored 7. Miller also had a team-high 8 assists and a team-high 5 steals.
The Ravens took charge early, outscoring the Lions (1-2) 21-4 in the opening quarter.
The win was the fourth straight for Hillcrest (4-1).
GAME STATS
Columbus 8 14 11 4 -- 37
Hillcrest 29 12 21 12 -- 74
HILLCREST SCORING: Grant Bender 23, Seth Ours 11, Luke Schrock 11, Josiah Beachy 9, Noah Miller 8, Aiden Krabill 6, Bryce Bailey 4, Mason Bender 2.
REBOUNDING: Grant Bender 9, Miller 7, Schrock 7.
Rivermont 4 9 3 10 -- 26
Hillcrest 21 19 14 9 -- 63
HILLCREST SCORING: Grant Bender 21, Josiah Beachy 12, Seth Ours 11, Noah Miller 8, Luke Schrock 7, Aiden Krabill 2, Bryce Bailey 2. REBOUNDING: Bender 7, Beachy 4, Ours 3, Phoenix Anderson 3.
More on Gingerich's 700th career victory:
From Paul D. Bowker, https://www.thenews-ia.com/stories/gingerich-congratulated-after-reaching-milestone,31832
From Jeff Yoder, https://www.thenews-ia.com/stories/a-team-first-teacher,31805