HUTTO — The Hutto Hippos boys varsity basketball team earned its third consecutive district victory Tuesday night, defeating the Cedar Ridge Raiders 68-54 at Hutto High School.
Senior guard Brian Caldwell led all scorers with 25 points as the Hippos used balanced scoring and a strong middle stretch to pull away.
The opening quarter turned into an offensive shootout, with both teams finding success from beyond the arc.
Cedar Ridge built an early 18-12 advantage and appeared poised to take control, but Hutto responded behind junior guard Nicolas Valdez.
Valdez drilled three consecutive 3-pointers to swing the momentum and give the Hippos a 21-18 lead.
Valdez finished the game with 14 points. Cedar Ridge answered with a 3-pointer of its own in the closing seconds of the quarter to knot the score at 21-21 heading into the second period.
Hutto carried that momentum into the second quarter, outscoring the Raiders 11-4 to take a 32-25 lead at halftime. Caldwell scored nine of the Hippos’ points in the period as Hutto tightened up defensively.
The Hippos extended their lead coming out of the break as Caldwell and freshman guard Jaeden Hanley combined for 11 of Hutto’s 19 points in the third quarter.
Hutto entered the final period with a commanding 51-37 advantage.
Hanley finished second on the team in scoring with 16 points.
Hutto maintained control in the fourth quarter, playing Cedar Ridge even at 17-17 to secure the double-digit victory. Senior forward Ronald Willis provided a late boost, scoring six of his eight points in the final period.
With the win, Hutto improved to 12-15 overall and 4-5 in district play, moving into a tie for fourth place in the standings with Vista Ridge and Cedar Ridge.
The Hippos faced Manor on Friday before press time and will return home Friday, Jan. 30, when they host Round Rock Westwood at 7 p.m. Hutto will look to avenge an 82-48 road loss to Westwood earlier this season.
