By KENZIE WINSTEAD
Content Editor

For the third straight year, Hanover College claimed the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference postseason tournament and will head to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

Cam Fails, of Cincinnati, led the Panthers (21-6) with 30 points. Kevin Williams, who played at Columbus East, added 19 points and 10 rebounds.

New Albany product Isaac Hibbard, a 6-foot sophomore, had 13 points for the Panthers.

Hanover got off to a slow start to the season, going just 5-3 to start the year. The Panthers now have won 13 of their last 15 games.

“We knew we had to win the tournament (to get into the national tournament),” said Hibbard, who has been part of the last two Hanover teams. “That was our goal. It’s tourney time, so anything can happen.”

Hanover will know its postseason destination and opponent Monday afternoon.

Hibbard, who won a Class 4A state title at New Albany, is majoring in economics but admitted he wants to coach basketball after college.

“I love the game,” Hibbard said. “I can’t get enough of it. Economics is my back-up plan, and I do have a good back-up plan.”

Hibbard said the team will watch the selection together Monday afternoon and order some pizza.

The Pioneers finished 17-10.

Heartland Collegiate Tournament Championship
HANOVER 76, TRANSYLVANIA 73
Transylvania (73) — Jefferson 15, Schuh 3, Schmitt 15, Theobald 5, Gentry 25, Twenty 7, Turner 3.
Hanover (76) — Fails 30, Hubbard 13, Cloncs 5, Williams 19, Ratts 5, Harp 3, Reed 1.
Halftime: Hanover 34-31.