South Decatur senior Hunter Johnson had a night to remember Saturday against the Southwestern Spartans.
Johnson (photo) scored a career-high 53 points to set both the boys basketball program record for a single game and break the Decatur County record in his team’s 79-67 win over visiting Southwestern (4-8, 1-1 Mid-Hoosier Conference).
Johnson made seven three-pointers and was 12-of-13 from the free-throw line to lead his team. He also had 12 rebounds and four assists.
He scored 16 points in the first quarter as the Cougars (7-7, 2-1 MHC) built a 21-12 lead. Johnson added three 3s in the second quarter and the lead grew to 42-28 behind Johnson’s 25 points.
Johnson scored 11 in the third quarter but the Spartans wouldn’t go away, outscoring the Cougars 22-16 to cut the lead to 58-50.
Seventeen more points came in the fourth quarter before the Spartans and their dynamic duo of scorers were finally vanquished.
With the 53 points, Johnson improved his scoring average to 33.5 points per game. The previous Decatur County single-game record was 52 points set by Dale Muckerheide while playing for Clarksburg against Cross Plains on Feb. 8, 1966.
Jordan Jones hit eight 3s on the way to 30 points for Southwestern. Aiden Hartsell finished with 27 points.
The Spartans continue their MHC schedule Friday at Class A, No. 2 Edinburgh (11-1, 3-0 MHC).
In other boys basketball games:
Jac-Cen-Del 90, Waldron 64
At Waldron Saturday, the Class A, No. 7 Eagles had too much scoring balance for the Mohawks.
Five different Jac-Cen-Del players reached double digits, led by Caleb Simon’s 25 points. Wyatt Day finished with 16. Devin Grieshop had 15 while Justin Swinney and Matt Dickman each finished with 10.
The Eagles (8-3) led 21-15 after one quarter and 46-28 at halftime.
Waldron scored 23 third-quarter points but were still outscored 26-23 by the Eagles, a potential Sectional 60 opponent in the postseason.
Bryce Yarling led Waldron (7-5) with 25 points. Lucas Mitchell had 23.
Waldron travels to Hauser (6-7, 1-2 MHC) Friday for a conference contest.
Triton Central 49, Milan 33
At Milan Saturday, the visiting Tigers opened up a 19-13 halftime advantage then outscored the Indians, 30-20, in the second half to keep Milan (0-12) winless this season.
Josh Kemper and Josiah Blair each scored 13 points to lead Triton Central (7-7). Caleb Miller added nine in the potential Sectional 44 preview.
M.J. Hartman led Milan with 10 points.
Triton Central travels to Class A, No. 5 Lutheran (9-2) on Saturday.
Rising Sun 46, Morristown 44
At Rising Sun Saturday, visiting Morristown led 33-31 after three quarters but could not finish off the road victory against a potential Sectional 60 opponent.
Nick Stidham scored a game-high 22 points for the Yellow Jackets (1-11). Nolan Laster added 15.
Damon Carrigan led the Shiners (5-6) with 16 points. Brady Works finished with 15.
Morristown led 12-8 after one quarter but trailed 23-19 at halftime. A solid third quarter gave the Yellow Jackets the lead once again but Carrigan and Works combined for 11 points in the fourth to steal the victory.
Morristown is at North Decatur (6-6, 2-1 MHC) Friday for a Mid-Hoosier Conference contest.
Rushville 51, Morristown 43
At Rushville Friday, Laster (21 points) and Stidham (13 points) combined for 34 points but it was not enough to get the Yellow Jackets past the host Lions (3-9).
Morristown jumped out to a 9-2 lead at the end of the first quarter but was outscored 13-2 in the second to trail 15-11 at halftime.
Southwestern 60, Brown County 49
At Brown County Friday, Jordan Jones scored 13 of his team-high 27 points in the fourth quarter to lead Southwestern to the win.
The Spartans built a 31-15 halftime lead that it never relinquished.
Aiden Hartsell finished with 21 points and five more Spartans combined for 12 points in the win.
Carter Kelly scored a game-high 28 points for the Eagles (2-8), who have lost seven straight games.
No other Brown County player reached double digits.
