WEST UNITY – What a difference 24 hours makes. One day after the Hilltop Cadets discovered the keys to an explosive offense, and one day after the Montpelier Locomotives’ offense failed to launch, the polar opposites appeared in the consolation game of the 2013 Hilltop Holiday Classic on December 28. Unfortunately for the host Cadets, one thing remained unchanged…turnovers, 26 to be exact. While the offense was still firing, it was nowhere near the net incinerating pace of the day before, especially in the third period where the Locos turned a 23-19 halftime deficit into a 35-27 lead going into the final frame. Montpelier held off a late Hilltop rally in the fourth to clinch the third place spot in the tournament by way of a 52-49.
The Cadet Cadre, although not with the same ferocity, were still putting up the numbers early, as witnessed by their 10-7 lead after one period of play. A 13-12 second showed a crescendo in the Cadet pace, but it also said the same for Montpelier. The third period was the turning point for both teams though as Montpelier’s best quarter to that point was answered by Hilltop’s worst. The Locos went on a 16-4 run to erase the deficit, and take an eight-point edge into the fourth. Both teams posted their best numbers of the night in the final frame, but the 22-17 rally of the Cadet Cadre again failed to atone for an earlier shortcoming.
Parker Houk lit up Hilltop for a game high 20 points to lead the victorious Locomotives, and Alex Matzinger fired off a dozen in support. Jacob Leung hit for 5 points, Michael Blake and Nate McCord each had 4 points, Kyrin Schuman splashed a trey, and Jared Shoup and Dalton Surbey each had 2 points.
Leading the Cadets was Miklo Abner with 17 points, and Quinn Smith with 15. Jalen Towers had 5 points, Xavier Lowery and Kelby Grime each had 4, and Tim Maneval and Ryan Brooker had a deuce apiece.
SCORING BY QUARTER:
Montpelier 7 12 16 17 – 52
Hilltop 10 13 4 22 – 49