Patoka shows ‘good mix’ in topping South Central

PATOKA – Freshman Jered Cain had a game-high 21 points, senior Johnnie Clift scored the 1,000th point of his career and Patoka had little trouble handling South Central in a 67-42 victory last Wednesday.

Cain was a force in the paint all game long, falling one point short of his career-high to pace the game in scoring, adding four assists, four steals and a block, and Clift eclipsed his career milestone on a layup in the second quarter. He finished with 12 points for the game.

“We have a good mix,” said Warriors coach Joey Eddy. “Johnnie scored his 1,000th point, and a freshman scored 21.”

Senior Seth Allen added 12 points – including three of Patoka’s five 3-pointers – as the Warriors (7-1) led wire-to-wire and were never in danger of losing the lead.

South Central (0-3) got 11 points from junior Evan Langely, and 10 points and seven rebounds from senior Tyler Ross. Sophomore Brett Harmeier added 10 points.

It was the team’s youth and varsity inexperience, however, that were the deciding factors in the lopsided loss.

“We are young,” said Cougars coach Rick Simmons. “We are making some pretty foolish plays right now, and it’s something we’re going to have work on all year long.

“When they took a lead on us in the first quarter, we weren’t patient.”

South Central sophomore Dre Hill – a first-year starting guard who has shown good ball-handling and shooting abilities through the early-going – was lost to a knee injury in the first half.

Wednesday, Dec. 11
Patoka 67
South Central 42
S: 6-8-14-14—42
P: 18-17-19-13—67
Warriors
Points: J. Cain, 21; Allen, 12; Clift, 12; Tyler Back, 8; Trey Lowery, 4; Dylan Back, 3; Sheldan Felchlia, 3; Shane Cain, 2; Dylan Collier, 2.
Rebounds: Clift, 6; Team, 4; Allen, 3; Lowery, 3; T. Back, 2; J. Cain, 2; Josh Brooks, 1; Collier, 1; Felchlia, 1; John Houston, 1; Tristan Hull, 1.
Assists: J. Cain, 4; Felchlia, 3; Clift, 2; Allen, 1; T. Back, 1; Collier, 1.
Steals: Clift, 5; J. Cain, 4; Allen, 1; T. Back, 1; Lowery, 1.
Block: J. Cain, 1.
Record: 7-1
Cougars
Points: Langley, 11; Harmeier, 10; Ross, 10; Chase Riley, 5; Jon Arnold, 2; Noah Powless, 2; Kerrigan Henken, 1; Jace Wilkins, 1.
Rebounds: Ross, 7; Langley, 4; Riley, 4; Arnold, 3; Harmeier, 2; Sean Oleary, 2; Powless, 2; Team, 2; Hill, 1.
Steals: Oleary, 2; Harmeier, 1; Henken, 1; Hill, 1; Powless, 1.
Blocks: Henken, 1; Ross, 1.
Record: 0-3