Hillman Hands Mio First Loss in Statement Victory
MIO, MI- It was a clash of the two top teams in the North Star League. Both Mio and Hillman came in unbeaten in league play. Hillman at 14-1 overall on the season and Mio at 14-0. It was a packed house in Mio as the anticipation for this one was high.
It was a shorthanded Mio squad, senior center Gage Long missed the game due to an ankle injury. Hillman came out of the gates as Trenton Taratuta scored seven early points as Hillman took an early 12-2 lead. Mio would respond with a 9-2 run of their own to cut the lead down to 14-11. The first half was a tightly called 16 minutes, there was a total of 25 fouls called in the first half. Hillman went into the break leading 23-21.
The second half would be all Hillman, the Tigers scored the first 11 of the frame as Taratuta went on a personal 6-0 run to extend the lead to 13. Braylon Firman, who had just two in the first half came to life in the quarter as he knocked down back to back threes to extend the Hillman lead to 40-23. Firman scored 17 in the second half and finished with 19 on the night.
Hillman would run away and hide as they finished off a 66-41 victory. Taratuta led the way with 27. The Tigers outscored the Bolts 43-20 in the second half and remain unbeaten in NSL play and 15-1 overall. Mio drops their first game of the season and stands at 14-1 overall.
This most likely will be the first of two matchups between these squads. The rematch should come in the district final, it would take a major upset to prevent either of these teams from reaching the district final.
The score does not indicate the gap between the two teams, the absence of Long loomed large. He is not only Mio’s tallest player but also their most athletic. Hillman starts four players who stand at 6′ or taller. Long brings length and athleticism needed to handle the Hillman size. Mio Sophomore Zeke Morris drew the task of Taratuta and held his own. Assuming Long will be back come playoff time, his impact will give Mio a much better shot of taking down the Tigers.
While Taratuta’s dominance makes Hillman the force they are, this is nowhere close to a one man show. Firman is one of if not the top shooter in the NSL. His length and range makes his the perfect piece next to Taratuta. Caleb Hiveley and AJ Jones bring both size and plenty of experience as seniors. Jones gave Hillman a boost on offense early in this one. Hiveley is a physical presence on the back end of Hillman’s 1-2-2 defense. Brody Applegren provides all the little things and is tremendously smooth with the ball. Hillman is the best team in the NSL, tonight proved that.
The Tigers won the battle, but surely the war is not over. These two teams are going to meet again. The stakes are going to be much higher. With districts being hosted at Mio, it will be another packed house. Long’s return will give Mio a fighting chance. A rematch would be the only fitting way to settle the score.
