By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
MARSHFIELD — Things looked bleak for Parkview late in the fourth quarter against Hillcrest in the Class 5 District 6 title game. The Vikings trailed by four points with just over a minute left.
Then Parkview senior TJ Hill stepped up.
Parkview clawed back to a one-point lead at 54-53. Then Hill went to the line four times in the final 26 seconds of regulation. He knocked down all four free throws to give Parkview a 58-53 win.
“Before this game, I had been thinking, I have been to four district championships throughout my four years at Parkview and have lost three in a row,” said Hill, who finished with 18 points to lead Parkview. “And, I was like, ‘I am not losing another one.’ Just all of the hard work, all of the shots I put up, it just came down to this moment.”
The fourth quarter wasn’t the first time Parkview had to battle back from a deficit in the game.
Down 15-11 to commence the second quarter, the Vikings forced three quick turnovers, much to the chagrin of the Hornets.
“Defense is what we are built on,” said Hill. “There have been times when we have given up more points than we should have, [but] we take pride in our defense. That has really built our foundation. Offensively, we have athletes who can score, but Coach Jack [Simpson] is a defensive-minded person ever since he was playing. That is who we are. He instilled that into us.”
The Vikings forced 10 turnovers and Hill converted 86 % from the line.
The game is being billed as a gut-check game by Simpson, who is closing out year number two at Parkview.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
As for what changed in the pivotal moments of the fourth quarter, Simpson couldn’t say.
“I am not sure. I will have to go back and watch the film,” he said. “We just told our guys to keep sticking in there, hang in there. We thought we could make enough plays to win. But it was tough; it was really tough.”
While the task at hand did not favor the Vikings, as Hornets’ junior guard Taner Hicks was dropping 3’s when not slicing his way through the lane. Hicks led all scorers with 21 points.
“Hillcrest did a tremendous job. I have so much respect for Coach [Jordan] Fielding,” said Simpson.
Simpson worked under Fielding for one year as an assistant coach, which brought familiarity to the game beyond the two schools being conference and city rivals.
“I learned so much from him (Fielding),” said Simpson. “It just feels good to get the monkey off the back. I am just so happy for the kids and effort they have put in.”
Parkview will host Jefferson City on Saturday in the state quarterfinal round with a trip to the Class 5 final four on the line. It will be the first true home game for Parkview, as their gym has been getting repairs all season from a water main break prior to the season starting.
