NEW CONCORD — River High’s bid for a Division VII East District final fell short Wednesday night as perennial power Hiland (20-4) held on for a 47-40 win at the John Glenn High gym.

Coach Rick Isaly’s OVAC-champion Lady Pilots, who finish 15-10, started strong and led 10-6 at 4:37 after senior Kaylee Hagan’s drive for an and-1. A Kaylee Hagan ‘3’ put River up 13-8 before Hiland closed to 13-11 at the break.

Hiland went up for good in the second behind senior Trish Troyer, who scored nine of her game-high 18 in the quarter. It was 25-20 at the half.

It was 35-29 after three as River missed some easy opportunities in the paint.

River senior stalwart Reese Hobbs, who equaled sophomore Maci Isaly’s 10 to lead the Lady Pilot scoring, scored to slice it to 38-33 with 5:11 to play.

A pair of Pilot turnovers led to two Hiland hoops before a bank from junior Zoey Fox made it 44-35 with 3:11 left.

River refused to fold after 6-0 Hiland senior Joplin Yoder made it 47-35. Freshmen Carleigh Trifonoff sank a ‘3’ and Mallory Maddy tallied a putback to wrap up the scoring.

Hiland led in rebounds 31-28 as Fox, Hobbs, Isaly and Hagan had four apiece for RHS. The Hawks had 12 turnovers to nine for River.

Fox had six points and three blocks, while Hobbs had three steals.

Hiland made 18-of-44 shots, including nine-of-23 from beyond the arc. River was 17-for-36.

Indian Creek 52, St. Clairsville 9

CADIZ — The Indian Creek girls basketball team is going to play for a district championship for the fourth time in five years.

The Redskins earned a trip to the OHSAA Division IV, East 2 District final with a victory over St. Clairsville Wednesday night in the district tournament semifinals inside Harrison Central High School.

Coach Steve Eft’s team, who also had a lopsided win over the Red Devils in the regular season, wasted little time taking complete control Wednesday, opening up a 25-0 lead after the first quarter.

By halftime, the Redskins pushed the advantage to 42-4 and were well on their way to playing on Saturday.

Creek doubled-up St. C 10-5 in the last two quarters, pitching another shutout in the fourth.

Senior standout McKenna Scott scored half of the Redskins points, tallying 26 markers by connecting for seven 3-pointers. Her first five buckets were all from three-point land and six of her seven came in the big opening half.

Kaydence Walker also reached double digits by tallying 11 points, while Gracie Klinesmith hit a pair of triples and finished with eight points.

The Red Devils, who were the No. 14 seed and drop the curtain on their season with a record of 2-20, were led by four points from Claire Monteroso.

Creek, the No. 2 seed in the bracket, improves its season mark to 15-9 with wins in seven of its last nine games.

The Redskins advance to face third-seeded Millersburg West Holmes in the district final at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Philadelphia High School. The Knights (13-11) fended off No. 8 seed Philo Wednesday night in the other semifinal, 35-28.

Martins Ferry 57, Sandy Valley 23

URICHSVILLE — The Purple Riders are advancing to the district championship after a decisive victory over the Cardinals.

With the win, Ferry is set to face Union Local on Saturday for the trophy. It will be the two teams’ first meeting of the season.

Lindsey Best scored 20 points to lead all scorers. All her scoring came in the first half.

Giana Chirpas followed with 15, and Maddie Lucas scored nine.

Martins Ferry led 22-4 after the first quarter and 45-13 at halftime.

After starting the season 3-4, Martins Ferry has gone 14-2 since.