Hill-Murray was impressive as the Pioneers rallied to win without their leading scorer.
Marshawn Wilson picked up four fouls in the first half, severely limiting the playing time of the senior guard - who averages 21.0 points per game - and impacting Hill-Murray’s offense in a matchup with Metro East Conference rival St. Thomas Academy in the first round of the University of St. Thomas Holiday Basketball Tournament Saturday night at the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex.
The Pioneers, however, overcame not only the loss of Wilson but also a 14-point second-half deficit to dispatch the Cadets 66-61.
“This was an all-out team effort,” Hill-Murray coach Brady Hannigan said. “I could not be more proud of the guys.”
The Pioneers needed a team effort as Hill-Murray was also without senior guard Jimmy Quirk, who plays a prominent role in the offense but was out sick, Hannigan said.
With Wilson on the bench and Quirk not in the lineup, Hill-Murray struggled and trailed 37-25 at halftime.
“That’s probably one of the worst first halves we’ve played,” Hannigan said.
St. Thomas Academy stretched its lead to 14 points midway through the second half when senior Andrew Mayleben sank two free throws, prompting Hannigan to get Wilson into the game.
Wilson, however, fouled out just seconds after coming off the bench, and his disqualification seemed to put Hill-Murray at a severe disadvantage for making a comeback.
That’s when Sam Westby stepped up and sparked the Pioneers' rally. Westby’s three-point basket late in the half game Hill-Murray a 56-55 lead, and he made several clutch free throws to seal the win.
Westby scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half, and none were bigger than those coming from the free-throw line.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m not the best free-throw shooter,” said Westby, who is in his third varsity season with the Pioneers. “We were just all clicking today.”
Westby’s playing experience could have contributed to the composure showed by the senior guard when hitting his free throws, said Simeon Davis, who finished with 19 points.
“He’s kind of the ‘grandfather’ to us all,” Davis said with a laugh. “He watches over everybody and makes sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Westby, who is Hill-Murray’s third-leading scorer (11.0 ppg) and the team’s leader in assists (38) and steals (28), said his experience allows him appreciate every moment of his senior season.
“(I’m) taking in every practice and every game,” Westby said. “I’m not taking it for granted.”
The Pioneers (10-1), ranked No. 4 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, have a legitimate chance to make the trip to the state tournament. Wilson will be important to any run Hill-Murray makes, but the Pioneers now know they don’t need to rely on Wilson to win.
“It feels good to get a win like this,” Davis said. “Just to show everybody that we’re not just (about) Marshawn.”
