Tuesday, March 02, 1999
Sharp-shooter Hiltz carries CovCath
Makes 6-of-7 3's in romp over Bellevue
BY RAY SCHAEFER
Enquirer contributor
HEBRON — Covington Catholic senior Jim Hiltz sometimes can't decide whether he's a guard or a forward.
In Monday's Ninth Region opening-round game against Bellevue, the 6-foot-3 Hiltz was simply hot. He scored 20 points — including 6-of-7 from three-point territory — in the Colonels' 67-47 win.
CovCath rides a 10-game winning streak into the semifinals against Boone County at 5:45 p.m. Friday. The Rebels eliminated Lloyd 55-50 but they lost twice to CovCath this year.
Hiltz, who also had three rebounds, two blocked shots and three steals against Bellevue, is usually the first player off the bench. But when senior guard Mickey Fritz suffered a bruised thigh in Friday's win over Holy Cross, coach Dan Tieman gave Hiltz the start.
“Jimmy proved me right,” Tieman said.
Hiltz said growing a couple inches last summer has helped.
“I've got a lot of height on a lot of guys, and it's a lot easier to get my shot off,” he said.
The six threes Hiltz made Monday were not a season high — he went 7-of-8 in an over time loss to Roger Bacon during the regular season.
“I've been working hard on my shot, taking extra time,” Hiltz said. “My teammates are moving the ball well. We're executing our offense.”
Bellevue would agree.
CovCath started — and effectively ended — the game with a 17-0 run to open the first period. Hiltz hit three three-pointers, and junior guard Steve Purdon added four points. Belle vue didn't score until junior forward Paul Eaglin's three with 3:24 left in the period.
BELLEVUE (47): Fogelman 2-0 6, Delaney 1-0 2, Rechtin 1-2 4, Harris 4-3 13, Grant 2-0 5, Duell 1-0 2, J. Clemons 1-0 2, Gullett 1-0 2, Eaglin 2-0 5, Olberding 1-0 2, Wilson 2-0 4. Totals: 18-5 47.
COVINGTON CATHOLIC (67): Overmann 3-1 7, McQuade 3-0 6, Hiltz 7-0 20, Williams 1-0 2, Klare 1-0 2, Wilcox 0-1 1, Baute 1-0 2, Dietz 1-1 3, Blazejewski 1-1 4, Purdon 4-3 11, Wachs 1-3 5, Finke 0-1 1, Middendorf 1-1 3. Totals: 24-12 67.
Bellevue ....... 7 11 13 6—47
Cov. Catholic ....... 22 17 20 8—67
Three-point goals: B-Fogelman 2, Harris 2, Grant, Eaglin. CC-Hiltz 6, Blazejewski. Records: B 10-16, CC 20-9.
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