Jake Nichols knew this was a special game when he scored the first three baskets for Hopkinton. He didn’t stop there, pouring in a career-high 22 points in the Hawks’ 49-26 Class M boys basketball win against the Hillsboro-Deering Hillcats on Friday, Feb. 8.

“He’s been shooting the ball pretty well for us all season, and tonight he was on,” said David Chase, Hopkinton’s head coach.

Chase said he was pleased with his team’s performance, especially the bench players. “The game was close in the second quarter, and when the second group went in, they really shut down (Hillsboro-Deering),” he said.

Despite a quick start by Hopkinton, the Hillcats were within one point due to good play from guard Miles Galloway.

In the second quarter, Hopkinton turned up the defensive intensity with a full-court press. The Hawks, who led 8-7 after one quarter, allowed only eight points in the second and third quarters combined. Hillsboro-Deering coach Kurt McCandless felt powerless to combat Hopkinton’s aggressive play.

“We’ve only been able to have one guy have a good game,” said McCandless. “It’s also hard to win when the other team wants the ball more than you.”

Hopkinton also received strong performances from senior point guard David Brandt and senior center David Wood. “We had good ball movement in the second half, and it opened up shots for (Nichols),” said Chase.

Game notes
Two players, one from each team, were ejected from the fiercely contested game.

Hopkinton senior forward Matt Story was tossed late in the first quarter after punching back at a Hillsboro-Deering player during a rebound.

Hillsboro-Deering center Dustin Chickering was ejected in the third quarter after committing a flagrant foul on a Hopkinton player driving to the basket. That foul was coupled with a technical that was assessed when Chickering threw the ball past the referee.