Shelbyville lost at fifth-ranked (3A) Connersville Saturday night by 28 points. 

Nineteen of the points in that deficit were established in the opening eight minutes of the game.  Connersville (4-0) jumped out to a 21-2 lead by the end of the first quarter and stayed unbeaten, 65-37.

Shelbyville didn't make a shot from the field until an Ollie Sandman baseline jumper with 4:37 remaining in the second quarter.  The Golden Bears were able to stabilize the scoring from there but still trailed at halftime, 33-13.

Ten Connersville Spartans scored in the game led by 6'4" junior forward Lucas Barron's 17.  Of Barron's eight points in the third period, six came on slam dunks. 

Starting point guard Tobey Billups scored 13 points to go with 7 assists.

Billups will play collegiately at IU - East.

Nolyn Smothers connected on three shots behind the 3- point arc and led the Golden Bear scoring effort with 10.  Ollie Sandman had eight, Jakob Heaton chipped in six.

The upcoming schedule doesn't offer much relief for Shelbyville.  The Golden Bears (1-2) will host New Castle (3-1) to open Hoosier Heritage Conference play on Friday, December 10.  The Trojans opened the season with three straight wins before losing Saturday to visiting Anderson, 77-62.

On Saturday, December 11, Shelbyville will play at a potential sectional foe, Whiteland.  The Warriors are 3-0 and averaging over 70 ppg.

Golden Bears head coach John Hartnett spoke to GIANT fm Sports and The Shelby County Post after Saturday's loss at Connersville.