HUTTO — The Hutto Hippos boys basketball team used a strong second half to power past the Vandegrift Vipers 73-53 on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Junior guard Malachi Hilby led the way with 22 points, shooting 6-of-12 from the field.
Hutto started strong, jumping to a 5-0 lead, but the offense stalled as Vandegrift responded to go up 8-5.
Both teams traded baskets before the first quarter ended with Hutto trailing 14-13.
The Hippos regained the lead in the second quarter after a pair of baskets from senior guard Jacob Bell put them ahead 18-17. Bell finished with 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting.
Hilby extended the advantage to 28-24 with six points in the final minutes of the half, but the Vipers hit a late 3-pointer to cut the lead to 28-27 at halftime.
Hutto pulled away in the second half. Hilby’s 3-pointer late in the third quarter helped push the Hippos’ lead to 46-38. They dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Vandegrift 27-15. Hilby accounted for 11 points in the final period, while senior guard Cylin Tate added eight. Tate finished with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Senior forward Chase Ellis also contributed 12 points.
The Hippos shot an impressive 51% from the field and improved to 7-7 in district play. They currently sit fifth in the standings, two games behind Vandegrift.
To force a play-in game against the Vipers, Hutto must win its final two games — at Vista Ridge on Friday, Feb. 7, and at home against McNeil on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. The Hippos also need Vandegrift to lose its remaining games against Round Rock Westwood on Feb. 7 and Round Rock on Feb. 11.
