Boys basketball recaps

South Central beats Patoka on emotional evening

The same day a fellow student was found dead, the South Central High School boys basketball team gave students a few hours of distraction by dispatching Patoka, 34-29, last Wednesday.

Dalton Rogers died in his home last Wednesday morning. He played baseball for the Cougars in the fall.

The basketball game was very slow to develop, however, as the Cougars trailed the Warriors, 12-8, at halftime.

Senior point guard Andrew Snow scored five of the Cougars' first-half points. For the second straight game, sophomore Fischer Tharp was held scoreless in the first half.

South Central then found a little more rhythm in the second half, scoring 12 points in the third period to take a 20-17 lead into the final stretch.

Junior Colby Bushue scored seven points in the final period for the Cougars, as they outscored Patoka, 14-12, to secure the win.

Bushue finished the game with a team-high 11 points, and Patoka senior Sawyer Potter led the game with 13 points, scoring in every quarter.

Wednesday, Feb. 9
at South Central
South Central 34
Patoka 29
Scoring: Cougars – Bushue, 11; Tharp, 8; Taylor Cain, 8; Snow, 7.
Warriors – Potter, 13; Zach Wadkins, 4; Blake Budds, 4; Jake Orrell, 3; Zach Thompson, 3; Johnnie Clift, 2.
Warriors 7–5–5–12—29
Cougars 5–3–12–14—34
 

South Central tops Cisne in MTC battle to earn 10th win

South Central defeated Cisne to earn its 10th win of the season on Friday, beating the Runnin' Lions, 43-39.

Junior Colby Bushue led the Cougars (10-16, 4-4 Midland Trail Conference) in scoring for the third straight game with 13 points, and he averaged 12 points in those contests, well above his season-average of 7.69 points per game.

Sophomore Fischer Tharp was well-contained by Cisne in the first half, as he scored just two points, but he finished the game with 12.

The Cougars were again slow starters, however, only scoring on a 3-pointer by senior Andrew Snow in the first period.

Cisne also had early troubles, though, so South Central only trailed by two after the quarter.

Bushue and senior Nathan Hill combined to score 11 of the Cougars' 13 second-quarter points, but the Runnin' Lions nearly matched them bucket for bucket, leaving South Central ahead by one at halftime.

Cisne took a 26-24 lead after the third period, but South Central scored 19 points in the final quarter to secure the win.

Of those late points, nine of them came from the free-throw line. South Central did not attempt a free throw before the fourth quarter.

Earlier this season, the Cougars dismantled Cisne, 32-18, during the MTC Tournament.

Friday, Feb. 11
at Cisne
South Central 43
Patoka 39
Points – Bushue, 13; Tharp, 12; Snow, 9; Hill, 5; Taylor Cain, 4.
Cougars 3–13–8–19—43
Warriors 5–10–11–13—39
Up Next – at Christ Our Rock on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.

Aces defeat Mid-America Prep School for second time

Mulberry Grove earned its second defeat of the Mid-America Prep School on Friday, 75-33.

Devonta Williamson, a freshmen, scored 22 points in the win, increasing his season average to 9.41 points per game, which is by far the highest among area freshmen.

Williamson scored a career-high 30 points in a triple-overtime win against Cowden-Herrick last week, and Friday's game marked his third career game of at least 20 points. On Jan. 14, the Aces (7-14) defeated MAPS, 79-38. Williamson scored 17 points in that contest.

On that day, it was senior Allen Tompkins who caused MAPS fits, as he earned a triple-double in the game. Tompkins scored 14 points and had eight rebounds on Friday.

Mulberry Grove used a balanced scoring attack throughout the game, scoring no fewer than 17 points in any quarter and getting contributions from eight players.

Wednesday, Feb. 9
at Mulberry Grove
Mulberry Grove 75
Mid-America Prep 33
Points – Williamson, 22; Tompkins, 14; Harley Steed, 8; Jordan Miller, 7; Jacob Rickman, 6; Zach Heilig, 6; Kevin Boulier, 4; Derek Phillips, 3; Dylan Street, 3.
Rebounds – Tompkins, 8; John Rickman, 7; Jacob Rickman, 6; Phillips, 5; Boulier, 3; Steed, 3; Street, 3; Williamson, 3; Miller, 2; Shawn Willis, 1; Heilig, 1.
MAPS 6–8–12–7—33
MGHS 17–20–19–21—75
Up Next – vs. St. Elmo on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.

Mulberry Grove suffers 40-point loss to Beecher City

Mulberry Grove was overmatched by Beecher City during a 40-point loss last Wednesday.

The Eagles scored at least 20 points in the first three periods to build an insurmountable lead during a 76-36 win.

Beecher City had previously beaten Mulberry Grove on Dec. 15 during the St. Elmo Holiday Tournament, 68-36.

After that game, coach Chris Johnson acknowledged that the Eagles probably had too much talent for his squad to be able to compete.

The reasoning is that Beecher City has a very deep bench. Last Wednesday, 11 different Eagles scored, and 13 different players entered the game.

Senior Zach Heilig scored a game-high 13 points for the Aces. The effort was his third-best of the season.

Fellow senior Allen Tompkins grabbed 10 rebounds, but he was well-contained on offense, scoring just six points.

By halftime, the Aces trailed, 41-13.

Beecher City's starters rested for the final quarter, and Mulberry Grove scored 13 points. Freshman Devonta Williamson scored six of his seven points in that final period.

Wednesday, Feb. 9
at Mulberry Grove
Beecher City 76
Mulberry Grove 36
Points – Heilig, 13; Williamson, 7; Tompkins, 6; Harley Steed, 4; Jordan Miller, 2; Derek Phillips, 2; John Rickman, 2.
Rebounds – Tompkins, 10; John Rickman, 5; Kevin Boulier, 3; Phillips, 3; Steed, 2; Williamson, 2.
BCHS  21–26–26–9—76
MGHS  6–7–10–13—36
JV – The Aces lost, 52-29.
Points – Miller, 8; Boulier, 6; Christian Dawson, 6; Phillips, 6; Dylan Street, 2; Nate Ketchem, 1.
BCHS  7–22–10–13—52
MGHS  10–7–8–4—29

Three Bombers score in double figures, but team loses

Bryce Mason, Zach Rigdon and Coleman Scott each scored at least 10 points  against Dieterich on Monday, but the Movin' Maroons won the contest, 69-46.

Brownstown started slow, scoring just 16 first-half points and falling to a 27-16 halftime deficit. Even though the Bombers scored 20 points in the third period, Dieterich still extended its lead by scoring 23.

The Movin' Maroons outscored Brownstown by nine in the final period to earn the win.

Thursday, Feb. 10
at Dieterich
Dieterich 69
Brownstown 46
Points – Mason, 16; Rigdon, 11; Scott, 10; Matt Sefton, 7; Zack Miller, 2.
Bombers  5–11–20–10—46
Maroons  11–16–23–19—69
Record – 4-18
Up Next – at Patoka on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
JV – Brownstown lost, 59-39.
Points – Scott, 10; Eric Gurtner, 8; Jake Behrends, 7; Matt Sefton, 4; Austin Hunter, 1.
Bombers  6–19–4–10—39
Maroons  10–14–18–17—59

NTC power St. Anthony shows might against Brownstown

For the second time this season, Brownstown fell victim to a powerful National Trail Conference rival, after St. Anthony defeated the Bombers, 91-26, on Friday.

Earlier this season, Brownstown took an 80-25 drubbing from Teutopolis.

James Jansen led the barrage for the Bulldogs, outscoring the Bombers by himself, with 32 points. Twenty of those came in the first half, and he added 12 more in the third period.

Brownstown trailed 46-18 at halftime after surrendering 28 points to St. Anthony in the second frame. They would add 29 more in the third, while holding the Bombers to just two points from junior Colten Hunter.

Senior Zach Rigdon led the Bombers with eight points, and continues to led the team with 14.55 points per game.

Wednesday, Feb. 9
at St. Anthony
St. Anthony 91
Brownstown 26
Points – Rigdon, 8; C. Hunter, 7; Austin Hunter, 4; Coleman Scott, 4; Bryce Mason, 3.
Bombers  6–12–2–6—26
Bulldogs  18–28–29–16—91
JV – Brownstown lost, 64-31.
Points – Matt Sefton, 13; A. Hunter, 12; Jake Behrends, 4; Scott, 2.
Bombers  2–9–8–12—31
Bulldogs  14–24–13–13—64

Beecher City's depth too much for Brownstown

Beecher City scored at least 20 points in the first three quarters in building a 67-33 lead during a 73-46 victory against Brownstown last Thursday.

Senior Zach Rigdon led the Bombers with 15 points, but Brownstown was overmatched by Beecher City's depth.

Eleven Eagles scored in the game and 14 played.

Beecher City's Cole Ohnesorge led the game with 17 points.

Thursday, Feb. 10
at Beecher City
Beecher City 73
Brownstown 46
Points – Rigdon, 15; Colten Hunter, 8; Bryce Mason, 8; Austin Hunter, 6; Nick Reeder, 5; Zack Miller, 3; Coleman Scott, 1.
Bombers  15–7–11–13—46
Eagles  24–23–20–6—73
JV – Brownstown lost, 49-34.
Points – Jake Behrends, 15; Matt Sefton, 10; A. Hunter, 6; Reeder, 2; Eric Gurtner, 1.
Bombers  10–7–9–18—34
Eagles  17–11–3–18—49

Patoka's Joe Eddy beats brother for third time this season

Coaching brothers Joe and Bill Eddy battled last Friday in Ramsey, with Joe's Patoka squad earning a 52-39 win.

The Warriors scored 33 points in the first half to take a commanding 17-point lead at the break.

Ramsey cut that deficit to nine in the third period, but Patoka closed out the game with 12 fourth-quarter points to get the win.

Patoka has bested Ramsey three times this season.

Thursday, Feb. 10
at Ramsey
Patoka 52
Ramsey 39
Scoring:
Warriors – Sawyer Potter, 22; Blake Budds, 12; John Ishum, 7; Johnnie Clift, 4; Cody Allen, 3; Jake Orrell, 3; Zach Thompson, 1.
Rams – Blake Hadley, 13; Asa Thomas, 6; Jordan Johnson, 5; Tyler Knisley, 4; Luke Webb, 3; Blake Bauer, 2; Andrew Cunningham, 2; Tyler Pryor, 2; Jake Roberts, 2.
Warriors  17–16–7–12—52
Rams  9–7–15–7—39

Beasley posts 20 as St. Elmo earns road win at Ramsey

St. Elmo sophomore Connor Beasley scored 20 points, as the Eagles defeated Ramsey, 65-48, on Saturday.

He has scored at least 20 points three times this season.

Ramsey (1-20) was led by freshman Tyler Knisley, who scored a career-high 15 points and should become a key contributor for the Rams next season.

Senior Jordan Johnson added 13 points, and St. Elmo junior Blake Pruett scored 16 points.

The game started at a blistering pace, with 31 points scored in the first quarter.

Twenty-seven more were added in the second period to give St. Elmo a 31-27 lead at halftime.

The Eagles outscored the Rams, 17-8 in the third period, however, to open up a lead, and Beasley scored nine of his points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Saturday, Feb. 12
at Ramsey
St. Elmo 65
Ramsey 48
Scoring:
Eagles – Beasley, 20; Pruett, 16; Jake Mansker, 8; Ben Sperry, 8; Blaine Scholes, 5; Kase Stolte, 4; Dylan Bullard, 2; Garrett Buzzard, 1; Levi Maxey, 1.
Rams – Knisley, 15; Johnson, 13; Tyler Pryor, 6; Luke Webb, 6; Asa Thomas, 3; Ryan Black, 2; Austin Cunningham, 2; Blake Bauer, 1.
Eagles  17–14–17–17—65
Rams  14–13–8–13—48

Six area teams in St. Elmo regional

Six area high school boys basketball team will be playing in the St. Elmo Class 1A Regional Tournament next week.

On Monday, No. 8 Ramsey will face top-seeded Altamont at 6 p.m. Fourth-seeded St. Elmo and No. 5 Patoka will battle following that game, with a start time of roughly 8:10 p.m.

Third-seeded South Central and No. 6 Brownstown will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Seventh-seeded Mulberry Grove and No. 2 North Clay will follow that game at about 8:10 p.m.

The winners of first-round  games will battle on Wednesday, with the early game starting at 6 p.m. and the later game starting at about 8:10 p.m.

The regional championship game will be held on Friday at 7:30 p.m.