WACO – The Hutto Hippos moved to 4-2 in district play after defeating the Midway Panthers Tuesday night.
While on the road, the Hippos defeated the Panthers by a score of 57-48 to help push the Hippos into second place in the district.
The game started slow for Hutto as the Midway jumped out to a big 19-7 lead in the first quarter. During the break between the first and second quarter, the Hippos got a pep talk for head coach Gant Caraway and got back on track in the second quarter.
The second period saw the Hippos outscore the Panthers 12-7, but they still found themselves trailing 26-19. Hippos senior Dylon Richardson, was a big part of the Hippos coming back from the first quarter deficient and showed why Caraway always praises his leadership.
Coming out of halftime, the Hippos set their sights on obtaining the lead and got on the right track as they outscored the Panthers 17-13 in the third quarter. The surge cut the Panthers lead to only three points, setting up an exciting fourth quarter.
Trailing 39-36, the Hippos started the fourth quarter flexing their defensive muscles and tying the game early in the quarter. Hutto kept this pace as Richardson, along with fellow senior Al Diaby, took over the game on the offensive end.
The Hippos would outscore the Panthers 21-9 in the fourth quarter to cap off their 57-48 win. Richardson ended the game with 28 points, three rebounds, five assists and three steals. Diaby efforts in the game yielded him with 12 points, five rebounds, nine assist and two steals.
The Hippos season will continue Tuesday, Jan. 24, as they look for a little bit of revenge against Harker Heights, who has beaten them twice this season.
