Another outstanding season of high school basketball comes to an end

Hillcrest's Jahod Booker (11) at Monroe County.

Another outstanding season of high school basketball in Conecuh County came to an end on Saturday when Hillcrest’s varsity boys came up short against area rival Wilcox Central in the 4A South Regional Tournament in Dothan. The Jags, as well as the other teams in the county, have nothing to hang their heads about because they all had great seasons and showed improvement over the previous year.

Hillcrest’s varsity boys finished the season with the best overall record in the county. They went 19-4 overall for a winning percentage of .826. Sparta’s varsity girls followed closely with an 18-4 overall record, a winning percentage of .818. Hillcrest’s varsity girls were next with an 11-9 overall record, a winning percentage of .550, and Sparta’s varsity boys followed win a 12-10 overall record, a winning percentage of .545. As you’ll see, all four teams finished the year with winning records, which wasn’t the case last season.

Hillcrest’s boys appear to have had the most potent offense. In 23 games this season, they scored 1,376 total points, an average of 59.8 points per game. Sparta’s boys scored 1,283 points in 22 games, an average of 58.3 points per game. Sparta’s girls followed with 1,268 total points in 22 games, an average of 57.6 points per game. Hillcrest’s girls were next with 828 points in 20 games, an average of 41.4 points per game.

On the defensive end of the court, it appears that Hillcrest’s girls were tops in the county. In 20 games this season, they limited opponents to just 773 total points, an average of just 38.7 points per game. Sparta’s girls followed closely, giving up 855 points in 22 games, an average of 38.9 points per game. Hillcrest’s boys gave up 1,199 total points in 23 games, an average of 52.1 points per game. Sparta’s boys followed, giving up 1,212 total points in 22 games, an average of 55.1 points per game.

Hillcrest’s boys and Sparta’s girls both were undefeated on their home courts this season. The Jags went 12-0 at home this season, and the Lady Warriors went 7-0 at home this year. Sparta’s boys only lost one game on their home court this season, going 7-1 overall. Hillcrest’s girls followed with a 7-4 record at home this season.

Sparta’s girls had the best road record this season, going 11-4 in road games. Hillcrest’s boys followed with a 7-4 road record, and Hillcrest’s girls were next with a 4-5 record in road games this season. Sparta’s boys went 5-9 in road games this season.

Hillcrest’s girls and Sparta’s girls were both undefeated against area opponents during the regular season this year. Hillcrest’s girls went 6-0, and Sparta’s girls went 4-0. Hillcrest’s boys went 5-1 against area opponents this year, and Sparta’s boys went 3-1.

When it comes to winning streaks, Hillcrest’s boys had the most impressive this season, winning 11 straight between Jan. 17 and Feb. 20. Sparta’s girls won seven straight between Jan. 3 and Jan. 24. Hillcrest’s girls won four straight between Jan. 7 and Jan. 17. Sparta’s boys won three games straight on three different occasions this season.

Hillcrest’s boys and Sparta’s girls never lost two games in a row this season. The longest losing streaks of the year for Hillcrest’s girls and Sparta’s boys were three in a row.

All four teams had to face ranked opposition during the season this year, and you can argue that Hillcrest’s boys had the toughest schedule of all. They faced seven ranked opponents throughout the season and went 4-3 in those games. Sparta’s boys were perfect against ranked opponents, but they only played one (Monroe Academy) and finished the season 1-0 against ranked foes. Sparta’s girls were 2-3 against ranked opponents, and Hillcrest’s girls went 0-2 against ranked opponents.

All four teams improved on their records from last season. During the 2012-2013 season, Hillcrest’s boys went 14-7 (.667), and Hillcrest’s girls went 9-11 (.450). Sparta’s boys went 10-15 (.400), and Sparta’s girls went 19-6 (.760). Just based on winning percentages alone, Hillcrest’s boys had the biggest turnaround from last season, a difference of .159.