Shelbyville hit some tough shots early and just enough free throws late to end a three-game losing streak to Connersville Saturday night at William L. Garrett Gymnasium, 44-42.
The Golden Bears shot 50% from the field (13 of 26) and three-point line (8 of 16) and outrebounded the larger and much stronger Spartans, 21-19.
“This one definitely feels good,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “The reason why we did what we did was we were really prepared. We scouted these guys inside and out and we knew what our game plan had to be, and it was to keep them out of the paint and shoot some outside shots.”
Connersville finished just 13 of 37 (35%) from the field and was 5 of 20 from the 3-point arc.
The low-scoring, physical contest saw the host Golden Bears score 12 straight points in the first quarter to close it out with a 12-3 lead.
Ollie Sandman nailed a pair of three-pointers and Damon Badgley and Jackson Parker (main photo) hit contested shots to get early momentum against the Spartans.
Josh Williams and James Williams scored all 11 of Connersville’s second-quarter points to help the visitors cut the lead to 19-14 by halftime.
Connersville kept the comeback pressure on in the third quarter where Josh Williams scored 11 of his team-high 24 points.
Sandman (photo) countered with a trio of 3s in the quarter and three made free throws that kept Shelbyville ahead 34-30.
“We had a long conversation after the last game where he was putting a lot of blame on himself being the team leader, and we said we don’t do that,” said Hartnett. “Your next game is what you are focused on and come out and be a competitor and winner. And he did exactly what he needed to do.”
Connersville hit the first basket of the game to take an early 3-0 lead and did not get squared back up with Shelbyville until 1:52 was left in the fourth quarter when Josh Williams drove to the basket off a turnover, scored and hit a free throw to make it 42-all.
Luke Brinkman was fouled with 16 seconds left and hit 1 of 2 free throws to give the Golden Bears a precarious 43-42 lead.
Williams spun into the lane on the other end and dished off to Blaine Hornsby for what would have been a layin if not for a Brinkman foul. The Connersville junior missed both free-throw attempts and Brinkman secured the rebound and was fouled.
The junior again hit 1 of 2 free throws with 1.7 seconds left on the scoreboard clock and Williams’ long heave at the buzzer was off the mark.
Sandman finished with a game-high 25 points and had three rebounds and two assists.
Brinkman (photo), Parker and Caden Claxton each had five points. Parker finished with a game-high eight rebounds.
Shelbyville won the junior varsity game, 39-37, when Brody Runnebohm sank a 3-pointer with five seconds left in regulation. The freshman then intercepted the long inbounds pass to seal the victory.
Jack West led Shelbyville with 12 points. Badgley, who started the JV game before having a strong first half in the varsity contest, had nine points and Runnebohm finished with eight.
Shelbyville is at New Castle (2-2) Friday for a girls/boys Hoosier Heritage Conference doubleheader.
Steve Bush photos
Shelbyville 44, Connersville 42
CV – G. Pearson 1-5 0-0 3, Jo. Williams 6-17 9-12 24, Myers 3-7 0-0 8, Barron 1-5 0-0 2, Ja. Williams 2-3 1-3 5, B. Pearson 0-1 0-0 3, Hornsby 0-0 0-2 0, Naylor 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 13-37 11-17 42.
SH – Sandman 7-15 5-6 25, Brinkman 1-2 3-6 5, Parker 2-2 0-0 5, Claxton 1-1 2-3 5, Lambert 0-1 0-1 0. Asher 0-1 0-0 0, Badgley 2-4 0-1 4, Schene 0-0 0-0 0. West 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 13-26 10-17 44.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
CV (2-2) 3 11 16 12 -- 42
SH (2-1) 12 7 15 10 -- 44
Three-point field goals: CV 5-20 (G. Pearson 1-3, Jo. Williams 2-11, Myers 2-4, Barron 0-2, B. Pearson 0-1), SH 8-16 (Sandman 6-12, Parker 1-1, Claxton 1-1, Asher 0-1, Badgley 0-1). Rebounds: CV 19 (G. Pearson 2, Jo. Williams 6, Myers 1, Barron 3, Ja. Williams 4, B. Pearson 1, Hornsby 1, Naylor 1), SH 21 (Sandman 3, Brinkman 4, Parker 8, Claxton 1, Lambert 4, Asher 1). Assists: CV 3 (G. Pearson 2, Jo. Williams 1), SH 5 (Sandman 2, Lambert 2, Asher 1). Steals: CV 3 (Jo. Williams 1, Barron 1, B. Pearson 1), SH 1 (Claxton 1). Blocks: CV 1 (Barron 1). Total fouls: CV 22, SH 14. Fouled out: Myers, Ja. Williams (CV). Turnovers: CV 8, SH 14.
JV
Shelbyville 39, Connersville 37
CV – A. Williams 11, T. Garrett 7, Cloyd 6, Peterson 5, McHenry 5, Roszell 3.
SH – West 12, Badgley 9, Runnebohm 8, Schene 5, Reinhart 3, Reed 2.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
CV 9 14 6 8 -- 37
SH 6 12 8 13 -- 39
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