As the school year comes to a close, seniors are making final decisions on what path they will take after high school. This Spring, four Hornets decided to move on to collegiate sports. Michael Freeman, Sari Higgins, Bailey Irvine, and Olivia Tinkler all signed this past month with their respective schools to play their respective sports.

Freeman, a four year soccer letterman, signed his letter of intent to play for Coach Dan Schmidlin at Central Methodist University. “It feels great to have the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love while getting an education,” said Freeman.

Irvine, who received All-State honors this year in basketball, committed to spending the next two years of her life at Northern Arkansas College, to play for a team that made it to the Elite Eight in the National Tournament just two years ago. “I’m so excited. I’ve worked so hard to get where I am now, and I’m so thankful to see that it has all paid off,” said Irvine.

Tinkler, who led the Lady Hornet golf team to State three years in a row, was left with the easy decision to go and play for her mom at Drury University. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work on my part, but I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I can’t wait to further my success in my golf career,” said Tinkler.

Higgins, who made it to State in every cross country season since her sophomore year, is going to Drury University along with fellow Hornet, Tinkler. “I can’t wait to run for the Lady Panthers. My time here at Hillcrest was great, and I’m so ready to continue at the next level,” said Higgins.

The Hillcrest Hornets’ return to the final four brings back fond memories for Karen Fielding.

A long-time faculty member, and a graduate of Hillcrest, Fielding visited the HTV studio to reminisce about the 1984 Hornets, who won the school’s only state championship.

HHS plays in the state semi-finals Thursday night. A victory puts the Hornets in the championship game Saturday.

(archived from March 9, 2010)

The 2010 state championship game will live on in the collective memories of players, coaches, and fans.

The highlights are many (see video clip at left), but the fourth quarter rally by the Hornets, who trailed the Oakville Tigers by six with just over four minutes to go, has already become a north side legend.

Coach John Schaefer’s team rode the hot hand of sophomore Dorial Green down the stretch as he scored eight consecutive points. Green, who finished with 21 points, and seniors Trey Starks (22) and Taylor Sade (11) were the only Hillcrest players to score, but that was enough.

The 54-49 victory brought HHS its first state championship since 1984. That team overcame a fourth quarter deficit to knock off St. Louis Vashon by one.

The student body got a chance to welcome home the reigning state champions on Tuesday.

A 35-minute assembly featuring a rousing slam-dunk contest gave fans a chance to congratulate the team and cheer for them one last time.

Senior Kendra Edmonds said, “It was a good way to end the season, knowing we had come that far, and getting to come together and celebrate it as a school.”

The assembly featured introductions of the players, and three of them spoke to the audience.

“We’re thankful for all the fans who came out and supported us all year,” said senior Taylor Sade. Read the rest of this entry »

When you have a great year, the honors will follow.

Senior basketballer Taylor Sade found out on Monday when he was named the Springfield Tip-Off Club’s 2009-2010 “Senior Most Valuable Player.”

The Hornets are the top seed in their district, the Ozark Conference champions, and currently stand 19-7 overall.

Sade has been a solid performer all year, leading the Hornets in points scored. This is his first year as a starter, and teammates say he has made the most of it.

“Taylor is solid and he really has shown a lot of leadership,” said guard Byron Williams.

The Tip-Off Club meets on Mondays during basketball season as coaches gather to discuss the teams with fans and the media.

The Hillcrest Hornets finished play in the Dave Sinclair Memorial Invitational Tournament at Lindberg High School near St. Louis by taking fourth place. Lafayette was scheduled to face Columbia Hickman, a 65-64 winner over the Hornets in the semifinals, for the championship Saturday evening.

The HHS squad ended up winning one and losing two in the tourney. Photos above from the third place game, won by Jackson High School 54-36, were provided by Hillcrest alum Lori Reed Collier.  Taylor Sade has 14 points to lead the Hornets against Jackson.  The Hornets currently stand at 12-7 on the season and will face Waynesville and Lebanon in conference action next week.

Locally, the Hillcrest Boys Basketball Team is amongst the top teams, but no one knew how they would fare against nationally ranked opposition in the 2010 Tournament of Champions, sponsored by Bass Pro.

“We were really excited as a team to go show that we can play with some of the best teams in the country. Also as an individual growing up here, playing in the Tournament of Champions was something I always dreamed of doing,” said senior Taylor Sade.

The Hornets kicked off the tournament against The Christ The King Royals from Middle Village, NY, a team that went on to finish third.

After a 77-39 defeat to the Royals, Hillcrest faced off against Bradley Beal, #7 overall in the class of 2011 according to Rivals.com, and the defending Missouri Class 5 State Champions, St. Louis Chaminade Devils. Senior Taylor Sade scored a career-high 34 points as he led the Hornets to a 78-67 victory.

“Having around 7000 people there cheering us on since we were the hometown team, plus beating a nationally ranked team while scoring my career high was pretty awesome,” said Sade.

That win put Hillcrest in the fifth place game against the United Faith Christian Academy Falcons from Charlotte, NC. The Hornets led at halftime, but eventually succumbed to the Falcons’ height advantage. They went on to lose 58-43, capturing sixth place. Taylor Sade also made the All-Tournament Team.