William L. Garrett Gymnasium became a triage center Friday night.
With 4:19 left in the boys basketball game between New Castle and Shelbyville.
New Castle junior forward Landon Thompson landed awkwardly and suffered a traumatic right lower leg injury that brought a stoppage to play. Thompson was immediately tended to by Shelbyville and New Castle personnel while EMS was called.
While being tended to, an adult male sitting in the New Castle fans section became overwhelmed and needed medical assistance.
A few minutes later, a Shelbyville High School student passed out in the student section and EMS personnel came back into the building to check on her.
Less than one day later, Thompson had successful surgery in Indianapolis and is on the road to recovery and both individuals are no worse for wear after the surreal scene played out Friday night.
“I heard a loud thud and next thing you know we look down and see a very serious leg injury to Thompson. That is something you never want to see happen to anybody,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “I think it was the right call to suspend this game for the rest of the night.”
The Hoosier Heritage Conference opener for both teams was setting up for a hotly-contested finish. Shelbyville built a 30-15 lead near the midpoint of the third quarter but New Castle put together a 19-3 run to take a 34-33 lead less than two minutes into the fourth quarter.
The Golden Bears responded with a 9-1 run just ahead of the injury.
Cade Logston sank a three-pointer at the 6:06 mark that got the Trojans their first lead since 7-6.
Caden Claxton quickly followed with a pair of free throws and Ethan Lambert scored five straight points to extend Shelbyville’s lead to 40-34.
Thompson sank one of two free throws with 4:34 to go to set up the final possession of the game Friday.
Shelbyville sophomore Mar Nicholson took a shot attempt in the low post and missed. He quickly gathered in the rebound and went back up and scored to make it 42-35.
While contesting the shot, Thompson came down and never got his right foot secured on the floor -- landing at a bad angle and crumpling to the floor. One of the referees immediately signaled for assistance and Shelbyville staff quickly responded, including Shelbyville athletic trainer Chasity Wilson.
The area around Thompson was cordoned off to maintain privacy for Thompson. Both teams left the floor with no idea if they would return.
“It was a terrible moment for everybody,” said Hartnett. “Our guys are shaken up too. It was the right call tonight to not get back on the floor. It would not have been good for either team. Thoughts and prayers go out to Thompson and all the New Castle people. You never want to see that happen to anybody. It was just a bad moment and everybody is pretty shaken up right now.”
Because it is a conference game, it is unlikely New Castle will forfeit the remainder of the game, trailing by seven points with just over four minutes to go. Hartnett confirmed he talked with New Castle head coach Daniel Cox after the injury and would work to get the remainder of the game rescheduled for a later date.
At the time play was stopped, Claxton led Shelbyville with 14 points. Lambert had nine and Luke Brinkman contributed six points and six rebounds.
New Castle’s Colin Taylor scored 12 of his 16 points in the third quarter that sparked the Trojans’ comeback effort. Thompson had 11 points and five rebounds at the time of his injury.
New Castle is scheduled to host Jay County tonight.
Shelbyville (3-0) is at Whiteland (2-2) tonight.
On Thursday, Shelbyville’s junior varsity squad traveled to New Castle and came away with a 57-42 victory. The Golden Bears are 4-0.
Photo: A large prayer circle is organized by Shelbyville teacher Andrew Nance (center) after Thompson was taken away by ambulance.
Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.
