Courtesy photo Hillman senior Aedan Tucker puts up a three during the first quarter of the Tigers 55-47 loss to NMCA. Tucker led all Hillman scorers with 21 points.

HILLMAN – The season came to an end for the Hillman Tigers on Tuesday, as they fell to the North Michigan Christian Academy Comets (NMCA), 55-47, in a MHSAA Regional match-up in Hillman.

It was a tale of two halves for Hillman. The Tigers started hot, going on a 10-0 run to start the game. Aedan Tucker and Ty Muszynski both connected from three-point territory to help fuel the run.

As the first quarter of play was winding down, senior forward JT Witzke put back an offensive rebound for a tough basket, making the score 18-8.

The momentum remained on Hillman’s side as the second quarter began, as Tucker knocked down another three, and on the following offensive possession drew a foul and connected on both of his free throws.

Hillman took a 31-20 lead into the halftime intermission.

The Comets started the game in man-to-man defense, and Hillman was able to pick it apart. In the second half they switched to a zone defense and it gave the Tigers nothing but problems.

Offensively, the Comets came out ready to attack, as they went on an 8-0 run to start the third quarter. Overall, NMCU outscored Hillman 13-3 in the third and reduced the Tigers lead to 34-33, going into the final quarter of play.

Less than a minute into the fourth quarter NMCA would get the lead for the first time, as standout point guard Josh Ferraiculo drained a three to make the score 36-34.

Hillman refused to surrender as it put up a fight as Tucker responded by hitting a fall away jumper, bringing the Tigers’ faithful back to life and making the score 38-36, NMCU.

With the Comets leading by seven points, and Hillman in desperate need of a basket, Tucker continued his hot shooting by knocking down a three-pointer with 1:42 left in the game, shrinking the Comets lead to four points.

After a NMCU missed shot, Eddie Prue took the rebound coast-to-coast for the lay-up which pulled Hillman to within a field goal.

Unfortunately, that two-point deficit was the closest Hillman would get for the remainder of the game, as the Comets knocked down enough free throws to keep the Tigers at bay and secure the win.

Hillman Head Coach Eric Muszynski dissected the difference in his team’s play between the the two halves.

“Going into the half being up by 11, I thought we were in a really good spot,” Muszynski said. “NMCU came out in a ma- to-man and then they switched their defense, it threw our guys for a loop, they went from man to man, to a 2-3 zone, then a 1-2-2 zone, and they have done that all year.”

Offensively, Hillman came out on fire, the second half was a completely different story.

“They made the necessary adjustments in the second half, and we were 6 for 24 from the field, and 2 for 9 from the free-throw line,” Muszynski said. “We got outscored 35-16 in the second half; they had us off balance.”

Regardless of the outcome, Hillman had another outstanding season. Muszynski thanked the Hillman community and his team for maintaining the tradition of Hillman basketball.

“I am proud of my guys, winning 21 games in a season is really tough, they maintained the tradition of Hillman basketball,” Muszynski said. “They are the 10th team in program history to win 20 games, additionally, they won a conference title and a district title.”

“I am really happy with our community and our fan base, the atmosphere was electric, they were great, and they really gave us an advantage, the outcome is unfortunate but that’s the way it goes,” Muszynski added.

Tucker led the way offensively for the Tigers, finishing the game with 21 points and Eddie Prue contributed 10 points

Hillman’s season comes to an end with a record of 21-3, and 11-1 in conference play.