The kid can play.

Shelbyville freshman Caden Claxton poured in a career-high 25 points and had four assists and three rebounds Wednesday to help Shelbyville end a five-game losing streak.

Claxton hit 8-of-10 free throws in the final quarter to finish off South Ripley, 57-52, at Garrett Gymnasium.

“Caden played really well for us tonight,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “He hit some shots, he hit some free throws, facilitated really well and got to the basket and made some good kicks. We got a lot out of him tonight.”

Damon Badgley, a sophomore, finished with 12 points off the bench -- all in the third quarter, and Shelbyville (3-6) played more efficiently than in recent games to get back in the win column.

“Damon was in the gym this morning (Wednesday) getting some shots up. He is a winner. He wants to play,” said Hartnett. “He is a tremendous offensive player for us and is just getting better as a sophomore. Caden and Damon, the good news is I still get those guys for a few more years.”

The first half was a possession-to-possession type of game. Claxton scored five straight points late in the second quarter to help Shelbyville hold an 18-16 lead at halftime.

Business picked up in the third quarter just as it did in Shelbyville’s loss to Yorktown Saturday when the Tigers outscored the Golden Bears, 20-13 in that eight-minute stretch.

South Ripley, coached by Seve Beach, son of former Shelbyville head coach Tom Beach, scored 12 points in the opening four minutes of the second quarter to take a 28-25 lead.

Badgley tied the game again with a 3-pointer from the wing.

Jackson Parker followed with a steal at the free-throw line that allowed him to race to the other end of the floor for a roof-raising dunk. The senior was called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim too long but it energized an otherwise lackluster gym during a mid-week game and the Golden Bears kept rolling.

Badgley followed with seven more points before the quarter ended and Shelbyville led 41-36.

Claxton scored 12 points in the final quarter and was the one Hartnett trusted to hit free throws late in the game to seal the win.

“He is comfortable at the (free-throw) line. He wants to win. He knows how to win from his middle school days,” said Hartnett. “He wanted the ball in his hands. He was asking for it. The freshman stepped up in a big moment and finished it off for us.”

Badgley also had five rebounds. Ethan Lambert scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds.

Blaine Ward led South Ripley (2-5) with 22 points, five rebounds and two assists. Cole Henry finished with 17 points and seven rebounds.

Shelbyville dominated the junior varsity game, winning 72-28.

Brody Runnebohm finished with a game-high 22 points. Jack West had 13 and Kohen Myers and Kenny Owens each had 11.

With inclement weather forecast for later today, Shelbyville will take on East Central (0-5) this afternoon. The JV game will tip at 1 p.m. with the varsity game to follow.

Shelbyville 57, South Ripley 52

SR – Binion 2-4 0-0 5, Henry 5-16 6-17 17, Volz 0-5 1-2 1, Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Bradley 2-3 0-0 4, Ward 6-14 8-10 22, Tunny 1-2 0-0 3. Totals: 16-44 15-19 52.

SH – Sandman 2-6 3-6 8, Brinkman 0-3 0-0 0, Parker 1-6 2-2 4, Claxton 7-11 8-10 25, Lambert 4-9 0-0 8, Badgley 5-7 0-0 12, Asher 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 19-44 13-18 57.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

SR (2-5)  7   9  20  16  -- 52

SH (3-6)  9   9  23  16  --  57

Three-point field goals: SR 5-16 (Binion 1-3, Henry 1-3, Volz 0-1, Ward 2-8, Tunny 1-1), SH 6-15 (Sandman 1-2, Brinkman 0-2, Parker 0-2, Claxton 3-5, Badgley 2-4). Rebounds: SR 27 (Binion 1, Henry 7, Volz 5, Johnson 2, Bradley 7, Ward 5), SH 22 (Brinkman 3, Parker 7, Claxton 3, Lambert 4, Badgley 5). Assists: SR 8 (Henry 2, Volz 2, Johnson 2, Ward 2), SH 10 (Sandman 2, Brinkman 1, Parker 2, Claxton 4, Badgley 1). Steals: SR 2 (Binion 1, Volz 1), SH 2 (Parker 1, Lambert 1). Total fouls: SR 17, SH 15. Turnovers: SR 11, SH 7.

JV

Shelbyville 72, South Ripley 28

SR -- McNew 14, Adams 9, Hodge 5.

SH --  Runnebohm 22, West 13, Myers 11, Owens 11, Reinhart 6, Clark 3, Isaacs 2, Schene 2, Reed 2.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

SR    6    7    9     6  --  28

SH  18  21  19  14  --  72

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