The fourth- and fifth-grade division Hoosiers and Razorbacks tipped off the Hoopster postseason tournament Jan. 31 at Holcom Park Center. Executing their game plan to near perfection, the Razorbacks ran away with a 43-25 victory.

With stifling defense and quick guard play, the Razorbacks sprinted to an early double-digit lead that that was never relinquished. Razorback forward Dane McCullough and guard Shane Willoughby provided an excellent inside-out combination that was difficult for the Hoosiers to match. Each converted a steal for a layup during a 12-0 run to start the game.

McCullough attributed his team’s success to good ball movement and forcing turnovers.

“We didn’t hog the ball and played good defense,” he said.

Guard Joe Dineen provided a spark for the Hoosiers when he scored his team’s first points and constantly attacked the defense. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, Dineen’s spark wasn’t enough to ignite the entire squad. He had four of the Hoosiers’ six points at halftime.

The pace evened out in the second half, but the Razorbacks had an 18-point cushion – which was more than enough as the teams traded baskets for the remainder of the game.

Hoosiers’ Scott Gill and Chelsea Casady got in the mix early in the third when Casady stole the ball and passed ahead to Gill on a fast break. Gill returned the ball to Casady, who finished with a layup. Dineen added another bucket in the quarter, which saw both squads combine for only seven points.

After a sluggish third, both teams quickened the pace as the Hoosiers attempted a final push for a comeback. Dineen had half of his team-high eight points in the final minutes of the game, while Casady, Gill and Kieran Severa all contributed to the Hoosiers’ highest offensive quarter of the game.

Razorback guard Gavin Kirk grabs a rebound in traffic during the second half. Kirk and the Razorbacks won their first-round game of the postseason tournament 43-25 against the Hoosiers Jan. 31 at Holcom Park Center.

On the other side of the ball, Razorback forward Matt Baker stepped up in the fourth along with McCullough to put the Hoosiers away. Baker recorded 11 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block alongside McCullough who also tallied 11 and grabbed three rebounds.

Despite the loss, Hoosier coach Steve Gill appreciated his team’s performance, especially in the fourth quarter.

“They played really hard and certainly gave a lot of effort towards the end of the game,” Gill said.