Which of our local basketball teams had the best season overall?

Hillcrest's Keyshawn Roache

Another high school basketball season came to an end in Conecuh County last week, and all four of our local varsity teams had very good years. Who had the best season is up for debate, depending on how you look at their respective seasons.

All things being equal, Sparta’s varsity girls, led by head coach Russ Brown, had the best overall record. They went 19-6 overall for a winning percentage of .760. Hillcrest’s varsity boys, led by head coach Tommy Dukes, were next with an overall record of 14-7, a winning percentage of .667. Hillcrest’s varsity girls, led by first-year head coach Natalie Nelson, finished 9-11 overall, a winning percentage of .450. Sparta’s varsity boys, also led by Brown, went 10-15, a winning percentage of .400.

Sparta’s girls appeared to have the most potent offense. They scored 1,451 total points this season, an average of 58.0 points per game. Hillcrest’s boys followed with 1,203 total points, an average of 57.3 points per game. Sparta’s boys scored 1,230 total points, an average of 49.2 points per game. Hillcrest’s girls followed with 714 total points, an average of 35.7 points per game.

Hillcrest’s girls had the best defense in the county this year. They allowed just 825 total points all season, an average of 41.3 points per game. Sparta’s girls allowed 1,060 total points, an average of 42.4 points per game. Sparta’s boys allowed 1,245 total points, an average of 49.8 points per game. Hillcrest’s boys allowed 1,116 total points, an average of 53.1 points per game.

Hillcrest’s boys had the best record at home this season, going 8-0 on their home court. Sparta’s girls went 6-1 at Richard Brown Memorial Gymnasium in Evergreen this year, and Hillcrest’s girls went 6-3 in Evergreen. Sparta’s boys went 4-3 on their home court this year.

Sparta’s girls had the best road record this season, going 13-5 in road games this year. Hillcrest’s boys went 6-7 on the road, and Sparta’s boys went 6-12 in road games this year. Hillcrest’s girls were 3-8 in road games this season.

Sparta’s boys and girls both went 4-0 against area opponents this season, and Hillcrest’s boys and girls both went 4-2 against area opponents this season.

Sparta’s girls posted the longest winning streak of the season this year, winning eight straight games from Dec. 29 to Feb. 2. Hillcrest’s boys won six-straight games between Dec. 21 and Jan. 11. Hillcrest’s girls won three straight games two different times this year, and Sparta’s boys longest streak was a three-game run from Jan. 4 to Jan. 18.

None of the local teams lost very many games in a row this season. Sparta’s girls never lost back-to-back games except on one occasion this season. Hillcrest’s boys never lost more than two-games straight this season. Hillcrest’s girls never lost more than three games straight this year, and Sparta’s boys ended the season on a three-game losing streak.

When it comes to playing ranked opponents, Hillcrest’s boys went 3-2, beating the No. 1-ranked team in 1A, the No. 4-ranked team in 4A and the No. 8-ranked team in 4A. Sparta’s girls went 2-2 against ranked opponents, beating the No. 7-ranked team in the AISA and the No. 8-ranked team in the AISA on back-to-back nights in a December tournament at Fort Dale in Greenville. Hillcrest’s girls went 0-1 against ranked opponents this season, and Sparta’s boys went 0-3 against ranked opponents this year.