Damon Badgley’s night finished better than it started.

The junior guard missed his first two shot attempts and, more importantly according to his coach, missed two defensive assignments Friday against Martinsville, and quickly went to the bench.

A non-productive first quarter did not mean Badgley would not get a second chance – and he made the most of that opportunity. He hit three three-pointers in the second quarter, added two more in the third and helped Shelbyville defeat the visiting Artesians, 70-51.

Badgley (main photo) finished with a career-high 23 points and Mar Nicholson had 22 points and 10 rebounds to improve the Golden Bears to 7-4 this season.

“We came out in the second quarter and had a lot of fire,” said Badgley. “We knew we were down 18-9 and really needed to push forward. The biggest part of it was our defense. We really locked down and made them make turnovers and rebounded really well. We got killed on that in the first quarter – I think that really helped us out.

“And I finally saw one (shot) go in and started really feeling good.”

Martinsville leading scorer Grady Gardner (20.3 ppg) collected two early fouls in the first quarter and went to the bench. That did not faze Hunter Stroud, who scored his team’s first six points and had nine in the opening quarter when the Artesians built an 18-9 lead.

Shelbyville scored the first 11 points of the second quarter and played its best eight-minute stretch of the season, shooting 56% from the field, limiting the Artesians to two field goals, and outrebounding the opponent 13-5 to take a 33-25 lead into halftime.

“It was good for our guys. We got off to a slow start,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “Usually that’s the third quarter for us, but we got off to a slow start in the first quarter and then came out and just blitzed them in the second quarter. Badgley got us going with a couple shots and our defense really picked up and our offensive rebounding really picked up with Nicholson down low. That is the intensity we have to come out with. We can’t wait until the second quarter to do that. We have to do that from the go.”

Badgley entered the game shooting just 30% from the 3-point arc but made 5 of 7 in the middle two quarters Friday on his home court which helped the Golden Bears extend the lead to 51-40 entering the final quarter.

"After I saw those first few go in, I felt like I was having a bit of a night,” explained Badgley. “I’ve worked on it since the Franklin game. I’ve been in the gym before practice. I’ve been the last one to leave. I’ve worked with (assistant coach Brady Claxton) and Caden (Claxton) and shot a lot of extra shots and I think that’s what gave me that confidence boost tonight.”

Shelbyville has established a winning formula of creating a lead going into the fourth quarter and then forcing teams to chase them and foul so the Golden Bears can ice the game from the free-throw line.

Over the final eight minutes Friday, the Golden Bears hit 5 of 9 shots from the field and 9 of 10 free throws to seal its first win over Martinsville since the last time the two programs met on Jan. 30, 1999.

In Shelbyville’s last four wins, it is 45 of 55 (82%) from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and 78 of 103 (76%) in those games. In their four losses, the Golden Bears are just 22 of 33 from the line.

Badgley also had seven rebounds to go with his career-high scoring performance. Claxton finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Kohen Myers (photo, shooting) came off the bench to score nine points, grab five rebounds and dish out four assists.

Stroud finished with 19 points to lead Martinsville (3-5). Gardner finished with just four points on a 1-of-11 shooting night.

Shelbyville’s junior varsity improved to 7-4 this season with a 47-43 come-from-behind win over the Artesians, who led 35-26 after three quarters.

Brody Runnebohm led Shelbyville with 16 points and Gavin Reed had 14 points.

The Golden Bears open the 2024 portion of their schedule on Jan. 6 against Greensburg (7-3).

Steve Bush photos

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GREENSBURG -- Ava Wilson became the seventh Golden Bear to join the 1,000 career points club with a record-setting performance Friday at the North Decatur Invitational.

Needing just 10 points entering the semifinal contest against Madison, Wilson poured in a career-high 34 points to get Shelbyville a 54-41 victory and a date with Edgewood in the championship game.

The senior scored 24 points in the finale and the Golden Bears coasted to a 66-28 victory to improve to 9-6 this season.

Wilson scored seven first-quarter points against Madison but her team trailed 13-12 after taking a 9-0 lead. She reached the milestone with a long three-pointer with 6:20 to go in the second quarter.

“This means a lot to me knowing everyone supported me,” said Wilson after the win. “My freshman year, I knew I could do this since I was playing with the varsity. Ever since my freshman year, I have wanted to hit this goal because not many at the school have hit this goal.”

Then she went to work to get her team into the championship game.

Wilson scored seven straight points late in the first half to get the Golden Bears within two points, 27-25, at the break. She scored her team’s first 10 points of the third quarter while the defense turned up the intensity and Madison wilted.

The Cubs committed eight turnovers in the quarter and limited Madison’s Juliana Davis to two shot attempts after she scored 11 in the second quarter. The Golden Bears led 43-35 going into the fourth quarter.

Wilson finished the quarter with 14 points to give her 31 in the game. She added another long 3 at the 5-minute mark of the final quarter that put her time up by 19. For the game, she hit 6 of 10 3s with five coming from on or near the volleyball lines on the court.

“The defense created a lot. We were hype on defense using our 1-3-1 which we all love,” said Wilson. “That helped a lot and having that  momentum on offense and we were all hitting shots.”

Wilson finished the game with 34 points, four rebounds and three steals and moved into fifth place on the Shelbyville career scoring list, passing Sharon Knecht (1,002 points) and Valerie Pilk (1,008) on the way.

In the first semifinal game Friday, Edgewood defeated the host Chargers, 49-43.

North Decatur rebounded to defeat Madison in the consolation game 52-33. The Chargers are 10-6 this season. Madison has lost five straight to fall to 7-7.

In the championship, Wilson had 10 first-quarter points to jump start Shelbyville. Sophomore Hannah Baker added eight points in the second half and the Golden Bears raced out to a 33-13 advantage.

Wilson scored six more points in the third quarter which closed out her scoring for the tournament. She now needs 62 points to surpass Misty (Smith) Albrecht for fourth on the Golden Bears’ career scoring list.

Baker hit a pair of 3s in the fourth quarter on the way to a career-high 23 points.

“She has been working really hard this season and she crushed it scoring,” said Shelbyville head coach Becca Hoefler.

Macey Crider led Edgewood (9-6) with 14 points.

After starting the season 5-1, Shelbyville lost five of its next seven leading into the Christmas break. The 13-day layoff proved fruitful after bringing a championship trophy back to Shelbyville.

“We are trying to get more wins than losses at the end of the year. We have seven games left and then we go into our sectional, and we really want to do well in our sectional,” said Hoefler of the team’s January stretch of games. “We are trying to repeat and go back to the sectional championship game.”

Shelbyville’s junior varsity (photo) improved to 14-1 this season Thursday with wins over Edgewood and North Decatur. Madison did not have a junior varsity squad to compete in the invitational.

Shelbyville plays five of its final seven games of the regular season at home at William L. Garrett Gymnasium. That stretch starts Wednesday when Southport (1-14) comes to town.

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Morristown closed out the Hoosier Shooting Academy Holiday Classic Thursday with its first win of the season.

Eleven different Yellow Jackets scored in a 69-19 victory over Herron. Freshman Kellen Crim scored a game-high 17 points for Morristown (1-8). Cade Mahin finished with 10.

The Yellow Jackets outscored the Achaeans 23-3 in the second quarter to take a 38-9 lead at halftime.

Herron dropped to 1-8 this season.

Morristown almost secured a pair of victories Thursday. In the Yellow Jackets’ opener, Easton Foster scored 14 of his game-high 18 points in the second half to lead Monroe Central to a 39-38 win at Morristown.

The Yellow Jackets led 26-24 going into the final quarter but were outscored 15-12 over the final eight minutes.

Colin Kieninger scored 11 points to lead Morristown. Dalton McMichael finished with nine points.

In other prep events:

Boys basketball

McKee Munk Invitational

Southwestern dropped to 0-8 with a pair of losses in the one-day tournament hosted Thursday by Henryville.

The Spartans lost their semifinal game to Springs Valley, 77-46. The Blackhawks outscored Southwestern 22-9 in the opening quarter and never trailed after that.

Keyton Jones led Springs Valley with 17 points. Deion Edwards finished with 14 points and Maverick Land added 11.

The Blackhawks went on to win the championship with a 65-60 win over Henryville to improve to 6-4 this season.

Henryville defeated Brown County, 66-54, in the other semifinal.

In the consolation game, Brown County’s Matt Horn scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to defeat Southwestern, 75-72. Cash Harden also scored 20 points for the Eagles (6-4).

Ben Kahler led Southwestern (0-8) with 23 points. Avery Dennison scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half and Carter Snepp finished with 14 points.

Girls basketball

Arrow Container Classic

Triton Central 61, Hauser 38

Class 2A, No. 9 Triton Central collected its second win over Hauser in a seven-day period Thursday to finish third in the Arrow Container Classic hosted by the Jets.

Hauser used a 14-point opening quarter to build an early lead but the Tigers dominated the second and third quarters to build a 20-point lead going into the final eight minutes.

Maryrose Felling finished with a game-high 19 points for Triton Central (12-3). Quinn King and Brooklyn Bailey each scored 12 points.

Norah Berkenstock led Hauser (4-14) with 10 points.

Boys swimming

Shelbyville 99, Batesville 43

At Shelbyville Thursday, the host Golden Bears secured 11 first-place finishes to secure the team victory.

Individual event winners included Andrew Duffy (200-yard freestyle, 100 freestyle), Brody Jeanette (200 individual medley, 500 freestyle) and Will Rife (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly).

Shelbyville also won all three boys relay races – 200 medley relay (Anderson Mollenkopf, Shia Veach, Rife, Everett Stegemiller), 200 freestyle relay (Jeanette, Kendryk Pike, Veach, Mollenkopf) and 400 freestyle relay (Duffy, Jeanette, Pike, Stegemiller).

Shelbyville also collected first-place finishes in two mixed relay races – 200 medley relay (Naomi Garringer, Duffy, Rife, Paige Bohman) and 200 freestyle relay (Duffy, Riley Everette, Miriam Garringer, Jeanette).

Girls swimming

Batesville 80, Shelbyville 74

The host Golden Bears won all three relay races and added six event wins but did not have enough depth to keep the Bulldogs from winning the dual meet.

Scoring event wins for Shelbyville were Miriam Garringer (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle), Riley Everette (200 individual medley, 100 butterfly), Paige Bohman (50 freestyle) and Naomi Garringer (100 backstroke).

Shelbyville won the 200 medley relay with Naomi Garringer, Riley Everette, Miriam Garringer and Hailey Maulden; the 200 freestyle relay with Emma Wheelhouse, Maulden, Naomi Garringer and Bohman; and the 400 freestyle relay with Wheelhouse, Bohman, Miriam Garringer and Everette.

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Micah Davis spent the first half sizing up the Golden Bears. In the second half, he made his case to be an Indiana All-Star.

The Franklin senior scored eight points, grabbed two rebounds and handed out two assists in the first 16 minutes Wednesday at William L. Garrett Gymnasium. His Grizzly Cubs held just a 28-23 lead.

The Eastern Kentucky commit went into attack mode in the second half and led Franklin to a comfortable 60-41 victory. He finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

“We knew coming into this game that Micah Davis was going to be a very tough assignment to take care of,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “We even knew and told our guys that when he drives we can’t have just one of our guys trying to stop him. We needed two or three and he proved that tonight that he can take just about anybody one-on-one and he really lit up in the second half getting to the basket and hitting easy shots.”

Shelbyville dropped to 6-4 this season, suffered its first home loss, and now has two losses against potential Sectional 14 opponents, including the sectional favorite Franklin (9-1).

Shelbyville's Luke Brinkman (3) tries to get a shot off against Franklin's Grant Hunter Wednesday at Garrett Gymnasium.

The Golden Bears nearly got buried early by the Grizzly Cubs who sank a trio of 3s in the game’s opening two minutes for a quick 9-0 lead. Shelbyville recovered, though, and outscored Franklin 23-19 to halftime.

Davis went to his left-hand dribble drive to get to the rim in the third quarter and personally outscored the Golden Bears 8-5 and Franklin, who saw Shelbyville get as close as 28-26, led 43-28 going into the final quarter.

Davis added 10 more points in the fourth quarter, all from around the rim.

“He is a really good player. In the first half, he just kind of got a feel for the game,” said Hartnett. “In the second half, he just took over and made that game his.”

Wyatt Nickleson sank a 3 in each quarter and backed Davis with 15 points. Kolt Nelson finished with six points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.

Mar Nicholson (main photo) was the only Golden Bear to score in double figures. The sophomore finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

Kohen Myers had seven points and four rebounds off the bench.

Shelbyville shot just 35% from the field in the loss and was 5 of 21 (24%) from beyond the arc.

Shelbyville's Ethan Lambert (40) shoots over the defense of Franklin's Kolt Nelson during the first half Wednesday at Garrett Gymnasium.

Shelbyville’s junior varsity also fell to 6-4 this season. Malakai Bravard scored 19 points to lead Franklin to a 43-37 overtime victory.

Brody Runnebohm had 11 points and Kenny Owens and Tyler Gwinnup each scored nine in the loss.

The Golden Bears close out the 2023 portion of the schedule Friday at Garrett Gymnasium against Martinsville (3-4). The former South Central Conference rivals have not met since 1999 when John Heaton was still head coach of the Golden Bears.

Steve Bush photos

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Providence used a pair of 18-point quarters to create separation from Class 2A, No. 9 Triton Central Wednesday and never relinquished the lead in a 58-47 victory in the Arrow Container Classic hosted by Hauser.

The Pioneers (9-6) hit six three-pointers and sank 16 of 22 free-throw attempts to advance to today’s championship game to face Seeger (12-4).

Kaia Kailer and Avery Smith each scored 15 points for Providence, who defeated Lawrenceburg earlier Wednesday to reach the semifinal round against Triton Central. Addison Smith and Jayda Kempf each finished with 12 points in the win that snapped the Tigers’ 10-game win streak.

Freshman Quinn King scored a career-high 16 points for Triton Central (11-3). Maryrose Felling had 10 points and Brooklyn Bailey finished with nine points.

Triton Central opened the Arrow Container Classic with a 51-22 win over South Decatur. The Tigers held the Cougars (8-8) scoreless in the second quarter to build a 33-8 lead.

Bailey had a game-high 18 points. Felling and Hailey Harris each scored 10 points.

Paige McQueen led South Decatur with nine points.

The two-day tournament concludes today with four games.

In the seventh place game, Greenwood Christian (4-10) takes on South Decatur. The fifth place game follows with Eminence (12-4) battling Lawrenceburg (8-7).

Triton Central will face Hauser (4-13) for the second time in a week. The Tigers defeated the Jets, 53-21, on Dec. 21. The winner today at 4 p.m. will secure a third-place finish in the tournament.

In the championship game at 6 p.m., Seeger faces Providence.

In a boys basketball tournament Wednesday:

New Castle Tournament

The boys basketball program at Triton Central suffered a pair of losses at the New Castle Fieldhouse.

The Class 2A, No. 10 Tigers opened the one-day tournament against the host Trojans but fell behind by 11 points after three quarters of play.

Triton Central rallied in the fourth quarter and trailed by two points and had possession of the ball with 30 seconds left on the clock but failed to get a shot off.

New Castle iced the win from the free-throw line and prevailed 48-44.

Colin Taylor and Tucker Griffin each scored 16 points for New Castle. Mason Miller had 10 points.

Eli Sego led Triton Central with 17 points. Silas Blair followed with 16 points.

In the consolation game, Norwell used a 16-point second quarter to open up a 21-16 halftime lead. The Knights backed that effort with 17 more points in the third quarter and never let the Tigers get into a rhythm.

Adam McBride had 14 points to lead Class 3A Norwell (6-3). Ashton Federspiel finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Knights lost to Decatur Central, 57-45, in their semifinal game Wednesday afternoon.

Eli Sego had 15 points to lead Triton Central (7-3) in the consolation game loss. Blair added 11 points.

In the championship game, Decatur Central improved to 6-2 with a 64-60 win over New Castle (4-6).

Triton Central returns to action on Jan. 5 in the semifinal round of the Shelby County Tournament at Southwestern High School. The Tigers will face Waldron (3-3) in the 6 p.m. game. The Tigers defeated the Mohawks, 63-53, on Nov. 30.

The other semifinal game on Jan. 5 pits Morristown (0-7) against the host Spartans (0-6).

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Horseshoe Indianapolis has released its top five racing stories from the 2023 racing season in Shelbyville.

Record Handle

The 123-day racing season wrapped up a stellar season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The books were overhauled with record breaking wagering performances during the season.

Overall, a total of $279,330,441 was accumulated in handle, up a total of 22.35% from 2022, which had a record setting season on its own of $228,305,425.

The meet’s highlight came on Indiana Derby Day on July 8 when handle surged past $7.9 million, a new single day total, with the Indiana Derby also establishing a new single race handle record of more than $1.1 million. In all, Indiana Derby Week, extending over five days leading up to the Indiana Derby, brought in $19,199,758, recording the best week ever at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The second highest weekly handle was recorded during Caesars Week in mid-May with $13,201,655 accumulated, ranking fifth on the list of all-time leading weekly handles in the 21-year history of the track.

Verifying wins Indiana Derby

Kentucky Derby starter Verifying scored the victory in the 29^th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby and gave three-time leading jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. his first win in the track’s biggest race.

Raise Cain and jockey Luan Machado joined Verifying in the stretch, but Verifying held him off to win by a nose. Cagliostro and Edgar Morales moved up the inside to finish third.

Verifying (photo with Pedroza Jr. aboard) was the people’s choice, paying $3.20 for the win. The Justify colt is owned by Westerberg LTD, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Jonathan Poulin. Brad Cox trains the talented sophomore.

The Indiana Derby capped off a full day of racing, featuring eight total premier races with purses extending beyond the $1.1 million mark. The day also brought in another record Indiana Derby Day handle for the fourth straight year with $7,980,494.45.

Road to Louisville winner

Georgetown, Kentucky, resident Tom Congalosi was the winner of the second $30,000 horse option from Road to Louisville. Congalosi finished second overall behind Jeffrey Hampton of Southern Indiana during the 16-week contest, but Hampton did not opt in for the horse.

Congalosi chose Tim Eggleston as his trainer and attended the ITOBA Fall Sale, purchasing Hip No. 5, Highspeed Justice for $5,900. The remaining balance of the $30,000 will be placed into his account to cover expenses for the filly as she makes her way to a racing debut in 2024.

Quarter Horse Racing

Quarter Horse racing surged in 2023 in both participation and handle numbers. A total of $24.098 million was accumulated compared to 2022, which had a record total handle of $21.719 million.

The first of five All-Quarter Horse days June 3 drew total handle of more than $998,000, a new record for most money accumulated during a Quarter Horse racing day. The second highest day of the meet was Oct. 7 when more than $902,000 was wagered on the all-Quarter Horse racing program.

Indiana sire Jess Zoomin also made national headlines as his freshman daughter, Jes an Angel, was named AQHA Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year.

Peyton Manning visits

NFL Great Peyton Manning stopped by the winner’s circle following PDJF Day at Horseshoe Indianapolis prior to attending a VIP event in the casino. Manning signed autographs and took photos with fans. Betty Strohm of Greenwood, Indiana, won a special VIP Meet and Greet experience with the Hall of Fame football player.

Manning also assisted with a $30,000 check presentation to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund made by Caesars Entertainment, who hosted the annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser June 24 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, an event that raised a record $400,000 for the PDJF.

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Triton Central graduate Maya Chandler had two points, two rebounds and one steal Thursday in SMU’s 75-44 victory over Air Force.

The Mustangs used a 24-2 run over the final six minutes of the first half to help secure their third straight victory of the season and improve to 6-5.

SMU leads the all-time series with Air Force 5-0.

Here is a look at other Shelby County graduates competing at the collegiate level.

Olivia Faust

The Triton Central graduate scored three points and had a blocked shot on Dec. 19 in Marian’s 76-63 win at Oakland City.

The Knights led wire-to-wire to collect their ninth consecutive victory and improve to 11-1.

Lizzie Graham and Tenleigh Phelps

Graham, a Triton Central graduate, had five points and two rebounds in 27 minutes of action Dec. 19 in IU South Bend’s 106-65 win over Great Lakes Christian College.

Phelps, also a Triton Central graduate, had 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The No. 21 ranked Titans improved to 13-0 this season.

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BROOKVILLE – Not even Santa Claus could slow down the Golden Bears.

Caden Claxton (photo, with ball) scored a game-high 20 points. Mar Nicholson finished with 17 points and four rebounds and Kohen Myers delivered six points and nine rebounds in his first start of the season to lead Shelbyville to a 61-49 victory Friday at Franklin County.

The season-high points total for the Golden Bears improved them to 6-3 – the best pre-Christmas break record since the 2006 season. Santa Claus and the Grinch were even on hard to witness the performance at festive Franklin County High School.

“It’s good for us. The guys are happy. We know we have a tough matchup Wednesday night (against Franklin) and we’re ready to go to work,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett after the win.

In the first meeting between the two basketball programs since a 2003 sectional contest which the Golden Bears won 53-31, Shelbyville got off to a strong start.

All five starters scored in the opening eight minutes to build a 19-8 advantage. Claxton scored five straight points late in the second quarter to push the lead to 30-16.

As in other wins this season, Shelbyville has struggled to create that insurmountable lead in the third quarter that would make finishing the fourth quarter much easier. The Wildcats produced a 6-2 run to start the third quarter to get within eight points.

Nicholson (photo) followed with four made free throws and Ethan Lambert scored in the lane to quell Franklin County’s momentum but the Golden Bears did not get the lead back above 12 points in the quarter.

Leading 48-36, Claxton sank a three-pointer from the wing, Nicholson drove in the lane and converted and Claxton sank a pair of free throws to push the lead to 20.

“Our halftime speech was we have to find ways to put people away,” said Hartnett. “There are times we put that pedal down all the way to the floor and there are times we let up and let people back in the game.”

Nicholas Vanoven scored seven of his team-high 11 points in the fourth quarter for Franklin County (1-6). Carson Allen came off the bench to sink three 3s and finish with 10 points. Isaiah Kemp and Eli Butt each scored eight points.

Shelbyville has held seven of its nine opponents below 50 points this season and is still young enough, two sophomores were the leading scorers Friday, that the learning curve to finish off opponents has not yet been overcome.

“We have to find guys that can close games out and take control of them,” said Hartnett. “I thought Mar Nicholson did a great job tonight along with Caden Claxton and we made an adjustment to the starting lineup to bring some new energy and Kohen Myers did an excellent job for us.

“We have to find ways at the end to relax and keep everything together and just finish games off and not panic when things go wrong or they make a couple buckets or we make a few mistakes.”

Shelbyville’s junior varsity also improved to 6-3 this season with a 48-22 victory. The game was tied 13-all at halftime before Shelbyville outscored the Wildcats 35-9 in the second half.

Brody Runnebohm hit four 3s and led the Golden Bears with 20 points. Gavin Reed finished with 13.

Franklin County will complete the two-year contract next season with a road trip to Garrett Gymnasium in Shelbyville.

The Golden Bears have played six of their first nine games on the road but now prepare for a stretch where six of their next seven are at home. The final two games on the 2023 calendar, both at Garrett Gymnasium, are Franklin, 8-1 and a potential sectional opponent, Wednesday and Martinsville (3-4) Friday.

Both games will air on GIANT fm radio with the pregame show scheduled for approximately 7 p.m.

Steve Bush photos

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Waldron nearly matched Franklin County point-for-point in the opening quarter Friday afternoon but the Wildcats put together a strong second quarter to pull away for its fourth-straight victory, 80-55 at Waldron.

Nichole Mears scored a game-high 26 points and Ruby Singer finished with 23 to improve Franklin County to 10-3 this season.

Leading 20-18 after the first quarter, the Wildcats outscored the Mohawks 25-10 in the second quarter to build a 45-23 lead. Waldron matched the Wildcats’ scoring output in the third quarter but a 22-point fourth quarter helped Franklin County produce a season-high point total.

Grace Fischer led Waldron (6-8) with 23 points, three assists and four steals. Alyssa Benson contributed 16 points, six assists and two steals.

In the junior varsity game, Waldron hit 10 of 16 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter to seal a 27-22 victory. Jackie Corlett led the Mohawks with nine points and Malia Murphy finished with eight points.

Waldron returns to action Thursday at home against Class A, No. 13 Oldenburg Academy (10-4).

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HOPE – Following a 1-2 start to the season, Triton Central’s defense has been outstanding.

On Thursday, the Class 2A, No. 9 Tigers won their ninth-straight game with a 53-21 victory at Hauser. No opponent has scored more than 41 points during the streak, and seven have been held below 30 points.

“The thing I am always preaching to them, if our offense isn’t working, then your defense better be working, and our defense has been pretty good,” admitted Triton Central head coach Bryan Graham.

Triton Central’s offense struggled mightily Thursday despite getting 63 shot attempts.

“Tonight, it wasn’t the mistakes we made. We just couldn’t hit a bunny,” said Graham of his 10-2 Tigers. “We couldn’t hit a shot. If we hit a few more shots like we are supposed to, that game would have been over in the second quarter.”

Triton Central opened up a 25-5 lead late in the first half before Norah Berkenstock hit back-to-back three-pointers that cut the deficit to 27-11 at halftime.

The Tigers turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter and helped force 10 Hauser turnovers but hitting just 3-of-22 shots in the quarter did not create greater separation.

A 10-0 burst to start the fourth quarter finally secured the outcome and sent the Triton Central starters to the bench – one that is very young and varsity inexperienced.

Freshman Katherine Collier came off the bench in the second quarter and scored five points, collected two steals and had a rebound and an assist. She finished the game with six points.

Freshmen Sophia Burbrink and Layla Compton each scored two points.

The development of a second unit is a priority for Triton Central to have success later in the season when the opponents get tougher. Over the nine-game winning streak, TC’s opponents are a combined 40-74.

“Games like this are helping us get more kids in,” said Graham. “There was a point in time in the second quarter where we had all three seniors on the bench with four freshmen and a sophomore on the floor.”

Felling finished just short of her season-scoring average of 20 points per game with 19 points. She also had four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Senior Brooklyn Bailey had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior Hailey Harris filled the stat sheet with six points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals.

Triton Central shot 31% from the field and just 16% from the arc.

Berkenstock led the Jets (3-12) with 10 points. Braelyn Williams had eight points.

Hauser only had 22 shots attempts in the game and committed 35 turnovers.

Triton Central won the junior varsity game, 32-19. Cheyenne Allen led the Tigers with nine points.

Following the Christmas break, Triton Central will compete in back-to-back tournaments at Hauser and Southwestern.

On Wednesday, the Tigers will face South Decatur (8-6) at 1 p.m. Depending on a win or loss, the Tigers will return to the court later in the day to face either Providence (7-6) or Lawrenceburg (7-6).

Triton Central will return to Hauser on Thursday for a third game. That opponent will not be determined until Wednesday night. The other four teams in the field are Greenwood Christian (4-8), Hauser, Eminence (10-3) and Seeger (10-3).

The first weekend of January will be the Shelby County Tournament at Southwestern. The Tigers’ semifinal round opponent on Jan. 4 is Waldron (6-7). Morristown (2-10) and Southwestern (0-12) are the other two teams in the field.

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FAIRLAND – Jace Stuckey will receive his diploma in May with his classmates but he will not take another class at Triton Central High School.

The highly-successful quarterback of the football program will sit in on his first collegiate class at Eastern Michigan University on Jan. 8. Three days earlier, he will be involved in his first workout with the Eagles’ football program.

On Wednesday, Stuckey celebrated his signing with Eastern Michigan University with family and friends at Triton Central. He has known for months he would be leaving in January for Ypsilanti, Michigan.

“Over the summer, they presented the idea to me and how important it was as a quarterback. I also recognized, credit wise I was ready to graduate last year,” said Stuckey on enrolling in college so soon. “I thought it would be good to push myself. Also the passion of football is hard to neglect for a semester each year, so being able to get into it is very good.”

Stuckey’s final classes are today. He will leave immediately after school to join the Eastern Michigan football program in Mobile, Alabama, and be on the sidelines for Saturday’s 68 Ventures Bowl against South Alabama.

The home-grown Fairland quarterback has every intention of pushing to be Eastern Michigan’s starting quarterback as soon as next season.

“Throughout the process, they’ve told me coming in early is important,” said Stuckey. “They don’t plan on redshirting me until they have to. I am 100% in the competition for the first, second or third spot (on the depth chart). From there, they will decide what they will do with my eligibility.”

Triton Central head coach Tim Able, who has given Stuckey more and more responsibility with the offense each season, sees a young man driven to succeed but with a steep learning curve in his immediate future.

“Mentally, Jace is way ahead of most kids at this point in their lives,” said Able. “It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. It means he has a lot of work ahead.

“He has to prioritize his time. He has to realize he can’t please everybody. He has to know who to have in his inner circle and who not to have in his inner circle. All those little things are life skills that sometimes you learn the hard way.”

In three years as the varsity starting quarterback at Triton Central, Stuckey (photo, right) rewrote the record book. The following are some of his records:

• Single game passing yards: 417 vs. Indianapolis Lutheran in 2022 (In fact, he holds six of the top 10 marks in this category and is the only QB to top 400 yards in a game)
• Season passing yards: 2,827 in 2023 (all three of his season totals are in the top nine, and he has the top two)
• Career passing yards: 7,042 (no other TC quarterback has topped 5,200 career yards)
• Completions in a game: 21 vs. Lutheran in 2022
• Completions in a season: 164 in 2022
• Completions in a career: 353
• Graduating class career victories: 39

“With 11 players being out there, I have to have five guys that block well and five guys to catch the ball well,” said Stuckey. “I had that each of my three years. I would say I am very lucky with what was presented to me in my career.

“I would like to say our legacy as a class is reflected with our total wins record. I feel great about that. I hope the class behind us can keep that up.”

That will be Able’s challenge. How do you replace a record-setting quarterback in a program that has won five straight sectional championships?

“Jace was not only talented as a quarterback running and throwing but also getting kids lined up in the right position,” said Able. “When we are working with receivers, he has a feel for what they need to be doing and the timing of it.

“I coached him but when you have somebody that talented you have to be careful not to over coach him and let him be in the flow. He got to have more control of the offense than I’ve ever had at quarterback.”

Stuckey will find a more detailed offense at Eastern Michigan led by offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Piatkowski.

“I have a great relationship with the quarterbacks coach which is probably one of the main reasons I chose there,” said Stuckey. “Their head coach is great. I like the offense they run. I like the conference they are in. And their history of quarterbacks and their success going on to the next level is very good.”

Like many boys in the Fairland area, Stuckey joined Future Tiger Athletics to get his first football experience. Many of the boys he started playing with were in attendance Wednesday for his signing ceremony.

Stuckey recalls first being made a quarterback in sixth grade.

“But it wasn’t to throw the ball. I was the first guy to touch the ball so that made running easier,” he said. “So me and Brayden (Wilkins) did that. In seventh grade I threw the ball a couple times. And in eighth grade I threw the ball a couple times and it went from there.”

Now Stuckey has to start all over – a challenge he is embracing.

“I have to bet on myself. I think I have the ability physically, mentally and leadership wise to be the guy,” he said. “It’s going to come down to a lot of things like lockerroom relationships that have already been built, and being able to earn the spot.”

In 2022, Eastern Michigan finished a program-record 9-4. While only 6-6 this year, Stuckey was impressed the Eagles fought through a tough season and still became bowl eligible.

“They are 6-6 this year, so definitely not what they expected, still a successful year being bowl eligible,” he said. “There are high expectations from head coach (Chris) Creighton with the culture he has built. When you are 6-6 and making a bowl game and are not satisfied, that shows something about them.”

Stuckey has been preparing himself for Division I football for several years. The academic load of pursuing an Engineering degree is not intimidating. He believes his biggest challenge will be living on his own for the first time in his life.

“It’s a different breed … a different animal,” said Stuckey of the rigors of being a Division I athlete. “I am not really worried about that. I think the thing I am worried about the most is being alone. You don’t have mom and dad in your ear telling you to get your homework done.”

What he will have is hardened college athletes and veteran college coaches pushing him to his limits.

“Experience is the best teacher and the only way to do it is to get the reps,” said Able. “He will get up there and get the reps, get into the college weight room, film, tutors that most kids don’t have at that level. Also, he doesn’t have to take a heavy load. He will learn a lot and hopefully have a chance to play a lot.”

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Eli Sego hit four three-pointers and scored a game-high 32 points to lead Class 2A, No. 11 Triton Central to a 71-45 victory Wednesday over Indianapolis Riverside.

The Tigers, now 7-1 and winners of six straight, trailed the Argonauts 16-10 after one period. TC then followed with a 23-point second quarter and 21-point third quarter to open up a 54-40 advantage it never relinquished.

Sam Collier had 12 points for the Tigers and Silas Blair added 11 points against a potential sectional opponent.

Ousmane Diarra led the Argonauts (2-4) with 12 points. Bini Hopper and Ty Hopper each finished with 11 points.

Triton Central is next in action at the New Castle Tournament on Dec. 27. The Tigers will open the four-team tournament at 10 a.m. against the host Trojans (3-5). The second semifinal pits Norwell (4-2) against Decatur Central (4-1).

In another boys basketball game:

Oldenburg Academy 70, Southwestern 46

At Southwestern Tuesday, Connor Miles scored 30 points in the first three quarters to help the visiting Twisters improve to 3-5.

Henry Wanstrath backed Miles’ effort with 20 points. The duo combined for 17 points in the third quarter when Oldenburg Academy outscored the Spartans 22-11.

Ben Kahler led Southwestern (0-6) with 14 points. Carter Snepp finished with 11.

Southwestern won the junior varsity game, 55-49, behind Mitchell Clements’ 32-point performance.

Following the Christmas break, Southwestern will travel to Henryville to compete in the four-team McKee Munk Invitational on Dec. 28.

In the opening semifinal game, Brown County (5-3) will face Henryville (3-3). Southwestern will follow against Springs Valley (4-4).

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With a pair of wins over Rose-Hulman and Mount St. Joseph, Hanover’s women’s basketball team improved to 5-4 overall and, more importantly, 4-0 against Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents.

Triton Central graduate Taylor Heath scored 13 points and had one rebound and five assists Saturday for Hanover in a 69-59 win at Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio.

On Dec. 13, Heath collected 10 points, three rebounds and two assists in an 84-54 win over Rose-Hulman.

Here is a look at other Shelby County graduates competing at the collegiate level.

Maya Chandler

The Triton Central graduate finished with six points, one rebound and one assist Monday in SMU’s 69-64 win over Sam Houston.

The win improved the Mustangs to 5-5 this season.

On Thursday, Chandler had eight points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in a 69-53 win at Louisiana Tech.

Rylie Stephens

The Triton Central graduate finished with three points and three rebounds on Dec. 13 in Samford’s 76-50 win over LaGrange College.

Drake Moore

The Morristown graduate scored 19 points and added seven rebounds and four assists Monday in Oakland City’s 85-77 win over Crowley’s Ridge College (Arkansas).

The Mighty Oaks are 6-7 this season.

Bella Larrison

The Waldron graduate helped Anderson’s women’s basketball program defeat Ohio Northern Saturday, 73-55. Larrison had six points, two rebounds, one assist and one block to get the Ravens above .500 at 6-5.

On Friday, Larrison finished with two rebounds, one assist and one steal in Anderson’s 89-65 loss to Wittenberg.

Tenleigh Phelps

The Triton Central graduate continued her torrid stretch of outstanding play with a 31-point, seven-rebound, four-assist performance Monday to lead No. 21 Indiana University South Bend to an 82-63 win at Mt. Vernon Nazarene (Ohio).

The Titans extended their program record win streak to start a season to 12.

On Saturday, Phelps had 25 points, eight rebounds and two assists in a 69-63 win at Governors State that moved the Titans into sole possession of first place in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference with a 5-0 mark.

Hadyn Ball

The Triton Central graduate went 1-1 for Wabash wrestling Sunday at the Hilltopper Duals.

Ball produced a pinfall win for Wabash at 197 pounds in a 39-18 win over Mount Union.

Wabash also defeated Ohio Northern, 41-6. Ball lost a 4-2 decision at 285 pounds to Ohio Northern’s Hunter Probasco.

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The Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Executive Committee recently met and approved the spring sports postseason tournaments and host sites.

BASEBALL

Shelbyville has not won a baseball sectional title since 2005 but with a strong pitching staff returning, the Golden Bears could celebrate in late May on its home field.

Shelbyville’s Barnett Field will host Sectional 14 from May 22-27. Traveling to the Class 4A sectional will be Columbus East, Columbus North, East Central, Franklin and Whiteland.

The sectional champion will advance to a pre-determined regional site and face the Bloomington North Sectional champion on June 1.

Triton Central has been assigned to Class 2A, Sectional 42 hosted by Park Tudor. The five-team sectional also includes Heritage Christian, Indianapolis Scecina and Irvington Prep.

The Sectional 42 champion will face the Shenandoah Sectional champion in the regional on June 1.

Shelby County’s three Class A baseball programs will compete at two different locations.

In Sectional 59 at Morristown, Edinburgh, Eminence, Greenwood Christian, Indianapolis Lutheran and Indianapolis Metropolitan will vie with the host Yellow Jackets for the championship.

Southwestern and Waldron will travel to the Jac-Cen-Del Sectional along with North Decatur, Oldenburg Academy and South Decatur.

The Morristown and Jac-Cen-Del Sectional champions will meet in the regional on June 1.

Semistate championship games will be contested on June 8 and the State Finals will return to Victory Field in Indianapolis on June 14-15.

SOFTBALL

Shelbyville won a sectional title in Columbus in 2023. The Golden Bears will look to repeat the feat in the same city in 2024.

Columbus East will serve as the host school for Sectional 14, being held between May 20-25. Shelbyville defeated Columbus North on its home field to capture its fourth sectional championship last season. Both return to Sectional 14 along with East Central, Franklin and Whiteland.

The sectional champion will host the Center Grove Sectional champion in a one-game regional on May 28.

Triton Central won the program’s first regional championship in 2023 and will look to repeat the feat in 2024. That starts with winning the Class 2A, Sectional 42 championship at Heritage Christian. The six-team sectional also includes Christel House, Indianapolis Scecina, Irvington Prep and Park Tudor.

The Heritage Christian Sectional champion will host the Knightstown Sectional champion for a May 28 regional championship game.

Morristown will travel to Indianapolis Lutheran for the Class A, Sectional 59 tournament. The Yellow Jackets and Saints will be joined by Edinburgh, Eminence, Greenwood Christian and Providence Cristo Rey.

Sectional 60 at North Decatur features Jac-Cen-Del, Oldenburg Academy, South Decatur, Southwestern and Waldron.

The North Decatur Sectional champion will host the Lutheran Sectional champion in the regional championship round.

Semistate championship games will be played on June 1.

The Softball State Finals will be played at Purdue University’s Bittinger Stadium on June 7-8.

BOYS GOLF

The golf programs from Morristown and Triton Central will vie for a sectional title at Hawk’s Tail of Greenfield in the Greenfield-Central Sectional along with Blue River Valley, Eastern Hancock, Greenfield-Central, Knightstown, Mt. Vernon, New Castle, New Palestine, Shenandoah, Tri and Union (Modoc).

Advancing teams and individual golfers will play in the Muncie Central Regional.

Shelbyville, Southwestern and Waldron will navigate the Greensburg Country Club course in the Greensburg Sectional. They will face off against golfers from Batesville, Columbus East, Columbus North, East Central, Greensburg, Hauser, Jac-Cen-Del, Milan, North Decatur, South Decatur and South Ripley.

Those moving on from the sectional will compete in the Providence Regional.

The golf sectionals will be played on May 31, June 1 and June 3.

Golf regionals are scheduled for June 6-7.

The Golf State Finals will be played at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel on June 11-12.

GIRLS TENNIS

Shelbyville will again be the host site for Sectional 24 that features all five Shelby County programs.

Morristown, Shelbyville, Southwestern, Triton Central and Waldron will vie for a spot in the Center Grove Regional.

Center Grove also will host the semistate round and serve as one of four host sites for the first round of the team state finals.

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Greenfield-Central and Columbus North are the sectional host sites for Shelby County’s boys track and field programs.

On May 16, Morristown, Shelbyville and Triton Central will compete in the G-C Sectional along with Beech Grove, Christel House, Franklin Central, Greenfield-Central, Irvington Prep, Indianapolis Lutheran, Indianapolis Scecina, New Palestine, Roncalli, Victory College Prep and Warren Central.

Southwestern and Waldron are assigned to the Columbus North Sectional along with Center Grove, Columbus East, Columbus North, Edinburgh, Franklin, Greenwood Christian, Greenwood, Hauser, Indian Creek and Whiteland.

Greenfield-Central also will serve as the regional site on May 23 for those advancing from the sectionals at Columbus North, Connersville, East Central and Greenfield-Central.

The Boys Track and Field State Finals are on June 1 at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington.

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

On May 14, girls track and field sectionals will be held across the state.

Morristown, Shelbyville and Triton Central will compete in the Warren Central Sectional while Southwestern and Waldron head to the Franklin Sectional. The school assignments are the same as the boys sectionals.

Shelbyville High School’s recently renovated J.M. McKeand Stadium will be the regional site on May 21 for those qualifying from sectionals at Connersville, East Central, Franklin and Warren Central.

The Girls Track and Field State Finals are May 31 at Indiana University.

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FORTVILLE -- Mt. Vernon played a nearly-perfect third quarter Friday to run away from Shelbyville and collect a 72-35 victory.

Already leading 29-14 at halftime, the Marauders made all nine shots from the field in the third quarter, including five three-pointers, and connected on all seven free-throw attempts to put together a 30-point quarter. They also did not commit a turnover.

“That’s a very good Mt. Vernon team. They have a lot of weapons to score,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “And they will be scary when they get (Luke) Ertel back to add to that. That is a very good team.”

Elijah Parra scored nine of his game-high 17 points in the third quarter while Julien Smith sank a trio of 3s as the Marauders (3-2, 2-0 Hoosier Heritage Conference) started the second half with a 17-3 run.

Shelbyville scored the first two points of the game when Damon Badgley (photo) got in the lane and converted but Mt. Vernon followed with a 14-0 run to take control early. The Golden Bears’ offense never got in gear from there.

Shelbyville finished the game shooting 31% from the field and was outrebounded 22-11.

Badgley led the Golden Bears with 14 points and two rebounds. Caden Claxton and Mar Nicholson each scored six points.

Mt. Vernon also won the junior varsity game, 48-34. Brody Runnebohm led Shelbyville (5-2) with 13 points. Carter Dunagan had eight points.

The Golden Bears finished off a busy week with a road trip Saturday to Yorktown for another HHC contest.

Shelbyville’s offense scored just 13 first-half points and the program suffered its first back-to-back losses of the season, 49-37.

Kieran Tewari and Mason Moulton each scored 12 points to lead Yorktown (2-4, 1-2 HHC). Moulton also had eight rebounds and two assists. Jabin Barnes finished with 11 points and four rebounds.

Claxton led Shelbyville (5-3, 1-2 HHC) with 10 points. Nicholson and Luke Brinkman (photo above) each scored nine points. Badgley had seven points.

Yorktown won the JV game, 44-27.

Shelbyville will try to get back in the win column on Friday at Franklin County (1-5).

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Class 2A, No. 16 Triton Central fell behind 15-0 at North Decatur Saturday night then rallied to win in overtime and secure its fifth-straight victory, 52-45.

Silas Blair was the only Tiger to reach double digits, finishing with a team-high 19 points. Seven other Tigers scored with Max Crouse getting eight points, Eli Sego scoring seven and Hunter Kemper collecting six.

Triton Central (6-1) trailed 16-8 after one quarter and 27-18 at halftime but kept pressuring the Chargers (4-2) and got the game into overtime where it outscored the hosts 9-2.

Chase Youngman led North Decatur with 20 points. Brady Mauer finished with 12 points.

On Friday, Triton Central secured its first Indiana Crossroads Conference win of the season with a 55-39 victory over Cascade.

Sego had a game-high 15 points. Blair backed the sophomore with 14 points and Crouse had nine.

The Tigers trailed the Cadets 21-19 at halftime then outscored them 36-18 over the final two quarters.

Connor Sanders led Cascade (1-4, 0-2 ICC) with 13 points.

Triton Central hosts potential sectional opponent Indianapolis Riverside (2-3) Wednesday.

In other basketball games Saturday:

Boys basketball

Waldron 57, Southwestern 40

At Southwestern, Parker Douglas scored 13 of his game-high 17 points in the second quarter when the visiting Mohawks built a 33-20 lead. Five different Mohawks scored in the third quarter to propel them past Southwestern.

Lucas Shaw finished with 13 points for Waldron (3-3), winners of three straight games after starting the season 0-3.

Ben Kahler led the Spartans (0-5) with 12 points. Carter Snepp finished with 11 points.

Waldron won the junior varsity game, 51-31. Noah Mitchell led Waldron with 13 points. Jackson Kuhn had 10. Mitchell Clements and Landon Drake each scored six points for Southwestern.

The Spartans hosts Oldenburg Academy (2-5) Tuesday. Waldron will compete in the Morristown Classic on Dec. 28 with games scheduled against Indianapolis Herron (0-5) and Tri-Central (6-1).

Girls basketball

Franklin 60, Shelbyville 32

At Franklin, Erica Buening and Scarlett Kimbrell combined for 31 points to push Class 4A, No. 9 Franklin’s record to 12-2.

The Grizzly Cubs’ defense limited the visiting Golden Bears to 18 first-half points while building a 36-18 advantage.

Ava Wilson led Shelbyville (7-6) with 23 points. The senior guard now has 990 career points and is on the doorstep to become the seventh Golden Bear to reach 1,000 career points.

Shelbyville returns to action Dec. 29 in the North Decatur Tournament against Madison (7-5). North Decatur (7-5) hosts Edgewood (8-5) in the other semifinal.

Shelbyville’s junior varsity suffered its first loss of the season at Franklin, 43-38. The Golden Bears are 12-1.

Waldron 60, Knightstown 40

At Waldron, the host Mohawks utilized a 22-point third quarter to pull away and defeat the Panthers (5-8).

Alyssa Benson scored eight of her game-high 19 points in the pivotal quarter. She also had six rebounds and three assists.

Benson was one three Mohawks to reach double figures – Grace Fischer finished with 12 points and Emerson Lindsey had 10 points.

Anna Roberson led Knightstown with 14 points.

Waldron (6-7) hosts Franklin County (8-3) Friday.

In basketball games Friday night:

Boys basketball

Waldron 63, Milan 60

At Milan, four different Mohawks reached double digits in the scoring column to knock off the Indians.

Will Larrison and Keith Settles each scored 14 points. Settles also had 13 rebounds. Jacob Lindsey finished with 12 points and Shaw had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Milan is 0-5 this season.

South Decatur 71, Morristown 47

At South Decatur, Jacob Scruggs scored 35 points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out four assists and collected eight steals to improve the host Cougars to 4-2 this season.

Jamison Keller (14 points) and Taylen Absher (11 points) also reached double-digit scoring.

Morristown dropped to 0-7 this season. The Yellow Jackets will host the Morristown Classic on Dec. 28 and face Monroe Central (3-4) and Indianapolis Herron (0-5).

Girls basketball

Indianapolis Lutheran 54, Southwestern 28

At Southwestern, Caitlyn Brooks and Grace King each scored 19 points to lead the Saints (5-4) to the victory.

Lutheran outscored the Spartans 17-6 in the second quarter to take a 28-12 lead that it never surrendered.

Tanna Tatlock and Emma Isgrigg each scored nine points to top Southwestern (0-12).

The Spartans are next in action Dec. 29 at the Union City Invitational. They will face the host Indians (7-6) in their opening-round game.

North Decatur 75, Waldron 49

At North Decatur, the visiting Mohawks were outscored 22-7 in the third quarter and surrendered 43 second-half points in the Mid-Hoosier Conference contest.

Fischer led the Mohawks with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Benson had 15 points, three assists and two steals.

North Decatur improved to 7-5.

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Shelbyville’s first Hoosier Heritage Conference win of the season only took 144 hours to complete.

The Golden Bears finished off New Castle Thursday night at William L. Garrett Gymnasium in the conclusion of Friday’s suspended game after New Castle’s Landon Thompson suffered a severe lower leg injury with 4:19 left to go in the fourth quarter and Shelbyville leading 42-35.

On Thursday, the Trojans returned but could not keep Shelbyville from capitalizing at the free-throw line which resulted, officially, in a 53-47 victory. Four different Golden Bears combined to make 11 of 12 free throws Thursday.

Mar Nicholson was 6 for 6 and finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Caden Claxton also had 14 points for the Golden Bears. Luke Brinkman and Ethan Lambert combined for 17 points and Shelbyville improved to 5-1 – the best start to a season since 2006.

“After Tuesday night where we missed nine free throws (in a 53-44 win over Greenwood), the next day at practice we spent 30 minutes shooting a bunch of free throws,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett after the win Thursday. “And today we came in at 5:30 p.m. to shoot free throws for another half hour and then we went over game prep and it all paid off.”

New Castle (3-3, 0-1 HHC) opened the scoring Thursday in a Garrett Gymnasium setting that had more of a summer scrimmage atmosphere with a 3-point play by Mason Miller that cut the lead to four points.

The Trojans chose to chase the Golden Bears for over a minute before Brinkman was fouled. The senior hit both free throws and Nicholson followed with two more to make it 46-38.

Cade Logston connected on his second 3 of the game to cut the lead to five but Gavin Reed sank a pair of free throws and Damon Badgley made one of two to again push the lead to eight with 40 seconds left.

Tucker Griffin hit another trifecta for New Castle but time was running out. Nicholson converted all four free throw attempts in the final 18 seconds to secure the victory.

Colin Taylor led the Trojans with 19 points. Thompson was the only other New Castle player to reach double digits, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds before getting seriously injured.

Landon Thompson, on crutches, visited with his New Castle teammates earlier this week.

“Landon had great medical care that night. He was able to get to Methodist Hospital (in Indianapolis),” said New Castle coach Daniel Cox Thursday after the loss. “They were able to set (the broken bones) and he had surgery the next morning. Everything looks as good as it can be after what happened.

“He got back home Saturday night. Our guys were over at his house after we beat Jay County Saturday. He is in good spirits. We have finals next week and he is coming back to school for finals.”

Cox confirmed that Thompson expects to return for his senior season.

New Castle was back home one night after the suspended game and defeated Jay County, 56-44, but it was tough to play without Thompson.

“Saturday night was an emotional night for us, coming back out and losing a guy that was our leading scorer and leading rebounder,” said Cox. “You just don’t know what you are getting into at that point. I’m proud of our guys the way they have rallied around him (Thompson) and taking it one step at a time for him and getting him back healthy.”

Cox praised the Shelbyville staff and administration for the way they handled the emergency situation.

“I thought everybody worked well together,” said Cox. “My assistant coach Chase Koger is our school SRO (School Resource Officer) so he is a first responder and he is pretty good in these situations. He was able to get out there and see things. It was good to have him along.

“I thought everybody handled it well in a situation you don’t prepare for, but you have to. … Thank you to everybody involved and to Shelbyville for the quickness with which they executed everything and figured it all out.”

Shelbyville travels to Mt. Vernon (2-2, 1-0 HHC) tonight to face a team that blitzed the Golden Bears, 74-42, last season in Garrett Gymnasium.

“Mt. Vernon is very tough with Julien Smith and R’mani Wells back. They hit 10 3s on us in the first half last year. I remember that in my nightmares,” said Hartnett. “We came in (Wednesday) and went over scouting personnel with them and right now the team is watching film on them.”

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Class 2A, No. 11 Triton Central needed a strong third quarter to create separation from Speedway and clinch no worse than a share of the Indiana Crossroads Conference title.

Maryrose Felling scored seven of her game-high 18 points in the third quarter Thursday when the host Tigers outscored the Sparkplugs, 13-6, to take a 30-21 lead. The sophomore hit all four of her free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter and Brooklyn Bailey scored five points in the period to help secure a 41-29 victory.

With the win, Triton Central improved to 9-2 this season and, more importantly, 6-0 in the ICC standings. No other team is unbeaten in the ICC standings.

Bailey and Hailey Harris each finished with eight points and Quinn King had seven points.

Alex DeLisle led Speedway (6-5, 3-1 ICC) with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Daniella Galvez added seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Speedway won the junior varsity game, 43-36. Macy Cloe, Layla Compton and Katelyn Edwards each scored eight points for the Tigers.

Triton Central returns to action Thursday at Hauser (3-11).

In another girls basketball game Thursday:

Oldenburg Academy 50, Morristown 33

At Morristown, the Class A, No. 12 Twisters outscored the host Yellow Jackets 31-19 in the second half to improve to 9-2 this season.

Morristown (2-10) led after one quarter, 10-8, but fell behind at halftime 19-14 and never recovered.

Danika Rutledge, Jayla Keithley and Nevaeh Cox each scored 10 points for Morristown. Rutledge and Keithley each grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets are off until after Christmas when they travel to the Cambridge City Lincoln tournament on Dec. 28.

Morristown will face Milan in the second semifinal game at 12:30 p.m. Cambridge City take on Phalen Academy in the first semifinal.

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Shelbyville is finding success with an athletically-rangy defense. A complimentary offense with a killer instinct is still needed before the Golden Bears can take the next step and anticipate postseason success.

Leading 25-9 at halftime Tuesday at William L. Garrett Gymnasium over a winless Greenwood team, a strong third quarter would have allowed the Golden Bears to cruise to an early-week win with a trio of Hoosier Heritage Conference games on the schedule later this week.

Instead, the Woodmen used a 24-14 run to cut Shelbyville’s lead to 44-39 with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter.

The Golden Bears did not commit a turnover over the final eight minutes and sank 16-of-23 free-throw attempts for a 53-44 victory to improve to 4-1. It’s the best start for the program since the 2009 season.

“We got a big lead on them early and then they came back a little bit in the third quarter. Then we extended that lead again and they just made it a little interesting at the end,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “I told our guys in the huddle that I don’t know if you guys just like making things interesting or you like the thrill of trying to close a team out and make it interesting but we have to start putting these guys away when we have big leads like that.”

Caden Claxton scored 10 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter and Luke Brinkman and Damon Badgley hit 9-of-12 free throws in the period.

Greenwood (0-6), under first-year head coach Keith Witty, started strong Tuesday, building a 7-4 lead in the game’s first three minutes. Claxton sparked a 9-0 run to finish the quarter by attacking the rim.

“That is something I’ve been trying to get better at over these last few years,” said Claxton of attacking defenses in the lane. “When you jump into their chest it takes away their height. You get a good look if you do that.”

The Woodmen did not make a shot in the second quarter and fell behind by 16 points at halftime. Greenwood’s only points in the quarter came on a pair of Isaac O’Neal free throws.

Brinkman scored half of his 10 points early in the third quarter but the Golden Bears managed just one field goal over the next five-and-a-half minutes.

“It was the same thing against New Castle last week, we had a great first half offense. We found our mismatches. We found our advantages,” said Hartnett. “Then, in the third quarter and the start of the second half, we kind of went away from that and tried to do a few things we weren’t doing in the first half.”

After shooting just 18% from the field in the opening 16 minutes, Greenwood shot 75% in the third quarter and four different players scored to start the comeback attempt.

Senior Jake Mosemann, who scored 18 points in Greenwood’s win last season over Shelbyville, scored eight of his team’s first 10 points of the fourth quarter.

“I knew Mosemann coming in was a player and he has hurt us for the last few years,” said Hartnett. “He’s a great outside shooter and he did a good job tonight of doing some things he is not comfortable with and that is getting to the basket and scoring a little bit more. He did a terrific job helping bring them back.”

Claxton sank a 3-pointer at the 5:23 mark of the final quarter to extend Shelbyville’s lead to 37-28, and he converted a free throw after a drive and score just over two minutes later to make it 42-33. But Greenwood kept using the clock efficiently and hanging around.

The Golden Bears’ final 11 points came from the free-throw line. Shelbyville made just 2-of-11 3s (18%) but converted 21 of 30 free throws (70%).

“I thought even though we didn’t execute the way we wanted to down the stretch to finish it off, it’s always good when you finish it out,” said Hartnett.

Mosemann led Greenwood with 15 points. Ethan King finished with 11 points and three rebounds.

Shelbyville’s junior varsity improved to 5-1 with a 42-33 victory over Greenwood. Brody Runnebohm led the Golden Bears with 15 points. Kenny Owens had 12 points and Gavin Reed finished with 10 points.

New Castle will return to Garrett Gymnasium Thursday to conclude the HHC contest that was suspended Friday with 4:19 left in the fourth quarter following the serious leg injury suffered by New Castle junior forward Landon Thompson.

After an offensive rebound and score by Shelbyville’s Mar Nicholson, Thompson landed awkwardly from contesting Nicholson’s shot and broke both lower leg bones in his right leg. The Golden Bears were leading 42-35 when the game was postponed.

On Friday, Shelbyville travels to Mt. Vernon (2-2, 1-0 HHC) and follows that with another conference road game Saturday at Yorktown (1-3, 0-1 HHC).

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Triton Central graduate Tenleigh Phelps broke the Indiana University South Bend single-game scoring record Saturday with a 42-point performance against the University of St. Francis (Illinois).

Phelps’ 42 points came on 17-of-22 shooting from the field and helped the Titans improve to 10-0 to start the season following an 86-69 win over the Fighting Saints (6-5).

IU South Bend’s 10-0 start ties the program record for consecutive wins to start the season.

Phelps is now averaging a team-leading 19.9 ppg and has a team-best 63% shooting percentage. She also had nine rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot Saturday.

Already the reigning Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week after averaging 18 ppg, 10 rpg and shooting 65%, Phelps was again honored as Player of the Week for her standout performance against St. Francis.

Here is a look at other Shelby County graduates competing at the collegiate level.

Rylie Stephens

The Triton Central graduate had three rebounds Sunday in Samford’s 69-39 loss at the University of Alabama.

Samford is 6-3 this season.

Bella Larrison

The Waldron graduate scored 22 points in helping Anderson University score a pair of Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference wins.

On Dec. 6, Larrison collected eight points, five rebounds and one assist in a 79-64 win over Earlham College.

On Saturday, Larrison scored 14 points and added four rebounds and three steals in an 83-67 victory over Bluffton that improved the Ravens to 5-4 overall and 2-2 in the HCAC standings.

Drake Moore

The Morristown graduate had 11 points, three rebounds and two assists Tuesday in Oakland City’s 85-80 loss at Indiana University East.

On Friday, Moore had 16 points in a 91-87 victory at Welch College.

Oakland City is 5-7 this season.

Kyle Crim

The Morristown graduate had two points and three assists Saturday in Hanover College’s 95-52 win over Defiance.

The Panthers are 5-3 (2-0 HCAC).

Taylor Heath

The Triton Central graduate finished with one rebound, two assists and two steals Saturday in Hanover’s 96-43 win over Defiance. 

Hanover is 3-4 this season but 2-0 in the HCAC standings.

Hadyn Ball

The Triton Central graduate finished 1-2 for Wabash College’s wrestling team Saturday at the North Central College Invitational in Naperville, Illinois.

Ball scored a 27-second pinfall over Joliet’s Samuel Guzman before dropping his next two matches in the 197-pound weight bracket.

Cameron Baker

The Shelbyville graduate was runner-up in a pair of one-meter diving competitions Saturday for Franklin College in dual meets with Anderson and Heidelberg.

Franklin dominated both meets to close out the 2023 portion of the schedule with a pair of wins.

Allison Batten

The Morristown graduate finished 14th in the 400 meters in a time of 1:08.13 Friday for Trine University in the Strive for Greatness Invitational at Indiana Tech. 

Jacob Batten

The Morristown graduate placed 18th in the 600 meters in 1:38.06 for Trine at the invitational hosted by Indiana Tech.

Batten also was part of a Trine 1,600 relay team that finished seventh in 3:57.23.

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Class 2A, No. 12 Triton Central raced out to a 26-0 lead after one quarter and cruised to a 68-20 win Tuesday over Indianapolis Ritter.

Maryrose Felling hit four three-pointers in the first quarter and Brooklyn Bailey scored eight of her 14 points in the first eight minutes to overwhelm the Raiders (5-9, 1-4 Indiana Crossroads Conference). 

Felling finished with a game-high 17 points. Nine different Tigers scored in the home win. 

Sophia Burbrink and Cheyenne Allen each scored eight points off the TC bench. Quinn King finished with seven points.

Triton Central improved to 8-2 overall and 5-0 against ICC opponents this season. The Tigers host Speedway (5-4, 3-0 ICC) Thursday.

Triton Central won the junior varsity game over Ritter, 42-14.

In other girls basketball games Tuesday:

Greenfield-Central 61, Shelbyville 47

Led by a trio of double- digit scorers, Greenfield-Central improved to 8-3 overall and 2-1 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference standings.

Madi Sonsini topped the Cougars with 20 points, five assists and nine rebounds. Izzy Silcox had 17 points and Chaney Brown finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Ava Wilson led Shelbyville (7-5, 1-3 HHC) with 23 points. Hannah Baker scored nine points.

Shelbyville’s junior varsity improved to 12-0 with a 60-31 win.

The Golden Bears are at Class 4A, No. 11 Franklin (11-2) Saturday afternoon. 

Morristown 37, Southwestern 24

The visiting Yellow Jackets improved to 2-9 this season and secured their first Mid-Hoosier Conference win.

Morristown doubles up the Spartans in the first half, taking a 20-10 lead that it never relinquished.

Danika Rutledge led Morristown with 11 points. Katie Theobald added 10 points.

Southwestern dropped to 0-11 (0-4 MHC). Tanna Tatlock led the Spartans with seven points.

The Spartans host Indianapolis Lutheran (4-4) Friday.

Morristown hosts Class A, No. 12 Oldenburg Academy (8-2) Thursday.

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Completion of Saturday's Hoosier Heritage Conference suspended contest between visiting New Castle and Shelbyville has been scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Garrett Gymnasium.

The game will resume from the point where New Castle junior Landon Thompson sustained his injury. The game stopped with 4:19 remaining in the 4th quarter with Shelbyville leading, 42-35.

It will be New Castle's possession when play resumes.

Original story on New Castle at Shelbyville boys basketball from Shelby County Post......

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.

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WHITELAND -- Shelbyville fell behind by double digits early, nearly recovered but could not overcome a veteran Whiteland squad Saturday night at Glenn Ray Gymnasium.

A 12-0 run midway through the first quarter helped the Warriors separate to a 17-6 lead. The Golden Bears hit long buzzer beaters just before halftime and the end of the third quarter and had possession early in the fourth quarter trailing 43-40 but failed to get back even.

Whiteland scored 10 of the next 13 points and converted 10 straight free throws in the game’s final 98 seconds to seal a 65-53 victory and its fifth-straight win over the Golden Bears, who suffered their first loss of the season to drop to 3-1.

“I am really proud of my guys fighting back tonight,” said Shelbyville head coach John Harnett. “We got an early hole and we had to switch to a zone (defense) because they overpowered us. Their guards are just big and strong and hurt us early down low and getting to the basket.

“I felt like that zone didn’t look too bad tonight it just got overpowered in some areas and we made some mistakes and that was the result for the night.”

Gavin Stubbe scored a game-high 20 points and had seven rebounds for Whiteland (3-2). Jazz Banwait scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and Wiatt McLaughlin finished with 14 points.

The Warriors shot 46% from the field and an impressive 83% from the free-throw line, sinking 19 of 23.

Caden Claxton (photo, with ball being defended by Whiteland's Jazz Banwait) led Shelbyville with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists. Mar Nicholson finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots.

“Mar is really starting to settle in,” said Hartnett of the sophomore. “He is starting to know his place in this offense. In zones, he can really eat it up. If he gets the ball inside, the moves he can make inside, he can rise up and shoot that mid-range jumper. He is getting more comfortable in our offense and putting more points on the board for us.”

Luke Brinkman and Damon Badgley combined for five made 3s and 17 points.

The Golden Bears trailed 19-12 after one quarter and scored the final five points of the second quarter, including a half-court 3-pointer by Claxton to keep the deficit at seven at halftime, 33-26.

Whiteland led 41-31 with 3:39 to go in the third quarter when Shelbyville went on a run, scoring seven of the final nine points of the quarter. It ended with Brinkman hitting a 30-footer at the final buzzer to cut the lead to 43-38.

Claxton sank a 15 footer to open the fourth-quarter scoring and get Shelbyville within three points at 43-40.

Whiteland’s experience showed the rest of the way, hitting 5 of 8 shots from the field, 11 of 12 free-throw attempts and committing just one turnover.

Whiteland dominated the junior varsity game, pulling away for a 55-30 victory. The loss was the first for the Golden Bears this season.

Kyle Edwards led Whiteland with 18 points. Sukhjap Shergill had 14 points.

Gavin Reed led Shelbyville (4-1) with 10 points.

The Golden Bears have a busy week ahead. On Tuesday, they host Greenwood (0-5). GIANT fm will broadcast the game with the pre-game show starting at approximately 7 p.m. from Garrett Gymnasium.

Back-to-back Hoosier Heritage Conference games follow on Friday and Saturday at Mt. Vernon (2-2, 1-0 HHC) and Yorktown (1-3, 0-1 HHC), respectively.

Steve Bush photos

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Maryrose Felling scored 12 of her game-high 23 points in the first quarter Saturday night to lead Class 2A, No. 11 Triton Central to a 55-14 win over Southwestern.

Brooklyn Bailey scored seven points in the second quarter and had six more in each of the final two quarters to finish with 21 points and push the Tigers’ record to 7-2.

Triton Central has won six straight games and hosts Indianapolis Ritter (4-8) Tuesday.

Tanna Tatlock led Southwestern (0-10) with eight points. The Spartans are averaging just 24.6 ppg through their first 10 games.

Southwestern hosts Morristown (1-9) Tuesday.

In other prep events:

Boys basketball

Tri-Central 54, Morristown 41

At Morristown Saturday, the Trojans improved to 4-1 this season and kept the Yellow Jackets winless at 0-6.

After Morristown won the junior varsity game, 42-39, on a Dalton McMichael three-pointer from the half-court line at the buzzer, the Trojans struggled to get going offensively and trailed at halftime, 21-19.

Tri-Central outscored the Yellow Jackets 17-7 in the third quarter then finished with a 13-point victory.

Colin Kieninger led Morristown with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Kellen Crim finished with 11 points and three rebounds.

Morristown will again seek its first win of the season Friday at South Decatur (3-1).

Girls basketball

Waldron 56, Morristown 47

At Waldron Friday, Grace Fischer finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mohawks to their fifth win of the season.

Alyssa Benson and Emerson Lindsey each scored 12 points to improve Waldron to 5-6.

Danika Rutledge led Morristown with 18 points.

Girls wrestling

Lebanon Invitational

Shelbyville’s Pacey Virden won her weight class Saturday at the Lebanon Invitational. Virden scored two pinfalls and two decisions on the mat.

Fellow Golden Bear Jessica Price finished fourth in her weight class.

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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.

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Shelbyville scored the first 17 points of the Hoosier Heritage Conference game Friday at William L. Garrett Gymnasium and ran away from New Castle, 58-20.

Senior guard Ava Wilson scored a game-high 19 points and added seven rebounds, six assists and five steals to her stat line for the Golden Bears (7-4, 1-2 HHC) on “Pink Out” Night.

Sophomores Ellie Keller and Hannah Baker combined for 27 more points and helped limit the Trojans to single-digit scoring in every quarter.

“We lost on Tuesday (56-49 at New Palestine) and we were very unhappy with ourselves so we had a pretty tough practice on Wednesday and got refocused and knew we wanted to come out and handle our business pretty dang quick and get this conference win and move on,” said Shelbyville head coach Becca Hoefler.

Keller had nine of her 16 points in the first quarter and Wilson had eight to help Shelbyville to a quick advantage.

New Castle’s first field goal did not come until the 5:15 mark of the second quarter. The Golden Bears struggled from the field in the second but a renewed focus on free-throw shooting paid off with a 7-for-10 performance in the quarter.

“Our free-throw shooting is a big thorn in our side this year,” said Hoefler. “We’ve been coming in every single morning before school and getting free throws in. That’s non-negotiable for us now. It happens every morning and that has been a big help for us.”

The Golden Bears were hovering just about 50% from the free-throw line this season but hit 13 of 16 Friday (81%) in the win.

Senior center Ella Johnson finished with six points and 12 rebounds.

“She’s a dawg. She’s a dawg through and through,” said Hoefler. “She has made a real difference for us this year. She has really stepped up. Senior year, she is leaving it all on the court. She is a hard girl to box out and she gets after every single ball. We are a very different team when she is not on the court.”

Shelbyville led 30-10 at halftime and 47-14 at the end of three quarters.

Emma Hart led New Castle (1-10, 0-4 HHC) with eight points and four rebounds. Mallory Owens finished with four points and eight rebounds.

New Castle finished 0-23 last season and has lost 34 of its last 35 games.

On Thursday, Shelbyville’s junior varsity team traveled to New Castle and prevailed 43-23 to improve to 11-0 this season.

The Golden Bears continue a three-game portion of the schedule against HHC opponents with a road trip Tuesday to Greenfield-Central (7-3, 1-1 HHC).

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Class 2A, No. 16 Triton Central used a fast start to blitz 3A No. 6 Greensburg Friday and roll to a 50-38 victory.

Eli Sego scored a game-high 26 points and Silas Blair had 10 points to improve to visiting Tigers to 4-1 this season.

Sego, Blair and Max Crouse each sank first-quarter three-pointers to spark Triton Central to a 20-5 lead at the first break.

Jack McKinsey scored seven of his team-high 18 points in the second quarter but the Pirates (2-1) never recovered. Bradley Lutz finished with nine points for Greensburg.

Crouse and Taggy Goul combined for 12 points for Triton Central.

The Tigers will host Cascade (1-3) Friday in its Indiana Crossroads Conference opener.

In other basketball games Friday:

Boys basketball

Waldron 44, Morristown 33

At Waldron, the host Mohawks used a strong first-quarter performance to separate from the Yellow Jackets then hung on for the program’s first victory of the season.

While the win will go down as the first for new head coach David Corder, it was junior varsity coach Tommy Coy who led the Mohawks (1-3, 1-1 Mid-Hoosier Conference) to the victory. Corder was reportedly suspended from coaching duties for the game.

A request for information on Corder’s status with the Waldron athletic department went unanswered.

Lucas Shaw led the Mohawks with 16 points. Will Larrison added seven points and Keith Settles and Parker Douglas had six points apiece.

Waldron led 18-8 after the first quarter and maintained a 10-point lead at halftime, 22-12, after a low-scoring second quarter.

Morristown (0-5, 0-2 MHC) outscored Waldron 10-5 in the third quarter but the Mohawks put up 17 fourth-quarter points to seal the conference win.

Colin Kieninger scored eight of his team-high 18 points in the fourth quarter for Morristown. Kellen Crim hit a pair of third-quarter 3s and finished with 10 points.

Morristown will continue pursuit of its first win of the season tonight against visiting Tri-Central (3-1).

Waldron returns to action Friday at Milan (0-2).

Trinity Lutheran 72, Southwestern 58

At Trinity Lutheran, nine different Cougars scored to offset a 33-point performance from Southwestern’s Ben Kahler.

Kahler made 18 of 23 free throws but the Spartans dropped to 0-4 this season. Carter Snepp was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line and finished with nine points.

Kowan Gross scored half of his team-high 18 points in the fourth quarter to seal the first win of the season for Trinity Lutheran (1-3). Jack Stuckwisch finished with 12 points and Reed Mellencamp had 10.

Trinity Lutheran won the junior varsity game, 60-41. Mitchell Clements led Southwestern with 18 points. Thomas Werbe had 10 points.

On Thursday at Tri, Southwestern got off to a slow start, scoring just 10 first-half points and never recovering in a 47-37 loss to the Titans.

Snepp scored 12 of his 16 points in the final quarter but it was not enough to complete the comeback. Kahler finished with 12 points.

Josiah Cox and Bryant Cornelius combined for 27 points to improve Tri to 1-3 this season.

Tri won the JV game, 41-18. Cecil Newton topped the Spartans with six points.

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The athletic directors and basketball coaches at Morristown, Southwestern, Triton Central and Waldron met Wednesday morning to set the fields for the 2024 Shelby County basketball tournaments.

Southwestern High School is the host site for the tournament that will feature semifinal games on Jan. 4 and Jan. 6 with championship games to follow on Jan. 6.

In the first girls tournament semifinal game on Jan. 4, Morristown (1-8) will face the host Spartans (0-9) at 6 p.m. Waldron (4-6) and Class 2A, No. 11 Triton Central (6-2), the defending county tournament champion, will follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Triton Central defeated Waldron, 83-37, Friday in Fairland. The Tigers also have a win over Morristown this season, 41-25. Triton Central hosts Southwestern Saturday.

Morristown is at Southwestern on Dec. 12.

The winners advance to the Jan. 6 championship game at Southwestern at 6 p.m.

On Jan. 5, Waldron (0-3) will get a rematch with Triton Central (3-1), the defending county tourney champion, in the first boys tournament semifinal game at 6 p.m.

The second semifinal will then pit Morristown (0-4) against Southwestern (0-2).

The Jan. 5 winners return on Jan. 6 for the championship game at 8 p.m. following the celebration of the girls tournament champion.

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Triton Central’s record-breaking quarterback was named one of the Indiana Football Coaches Association’s Top 50 players as part of its All-State team announcements.

Jace Stuckey was one of 26 offensive players selected after leading Triton Central to an 11-2 record and a fifth-straight sectional championship. The Eastern Michigan commit threw for 2,847 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. He also ran for a team-high 855 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Other notable players selected Top 50 were New Palestine’s Ian Moore (OL) and Michael Thacker (DL), East Central’s Noah Schneider (OL) and Josh Ringer (RB), and Greenfield-Central’s Jake Hinton (LB).

Three more Triton Central athletes were named Class 2A All-State by the IFCA.

Receiver Brayden Wilkins and kicker Levi Dewey were selected to the 2A Senior All-State Team.

Wilkins (photo) was Stuckey’s top target, collecting 62 catches for 1,083 yards – second best for a season at Triton Central – and 11 touchdowns.

With his selection, Dewey (photo) became Triton Central’s first three-time All-State player.

Other notable 2A Senior All-State selections were Scecina’s Kegan Ray (WR), David Mendez (QB) and Wil Battles (DB), North Posey’s Kalob Egan (OL), Liam Stone (QB) and Jace Gauer (LB), and Brownstown Central’s Ryan Branaman (OL).

Triton Central offensive lineman Colton Crawford (photo) earned All-State honors with his selection to the 2A Junior All-State Team.

Other honorees to the Junior squad were Scecina’s Noah Stuczynski (OL) and Owen Weinzierl (kicker), Brownstown Central’s Owen Wischmeier (LB) and Micah Sheffer (punter), and Eastern Hancock’s Kayden Ruble (TE) and Mark Kube (athlete).

Shelbyville did not have an All-State selection but the Hoosier Heritage Conference was well represented.

The Class 4A Senior All-State Team included New Palestine’s Kyler Kropp (WR) and Grayson Thomas (RB), Greenfield-Central’s Reese Hill (OL), Brayden Flener (OL) and Kirk Knecht (DB), and Pendleton Heights’ Nolan Souders (DB).

The 4A Junior All-State Team included Mt. Vernon’s Jolina Brogan (RB), Greenfield-Central’s Dallas Freeman (athlete) and New Palestine’s Garrett Ranes (LB).

The Class 3A All-State teams included Speedway’s Damola Ajani (Senior All-State OL), Indian Creek’s Jalen Sauer (Senior All-State RB), Monrovia’s Brayton Belcher (Senior All-State RB), and Delta’s Braxton Russell (Senior All-State DL) and Landon Brooks (Junior All-State punter).

The Class A All-State teams included Lutheran’s Taurean Langston (Senior All-State OL), Braydon Hall (Senior All-State RB), Jonny Hall (Senior All-State LB), DeVaun Jones (Junior All-State WR), Jackson Willis (Junior All-State QB) and Cameron McHaney (Junior All-State DL), North Decatur’s Kaden Muckerheide (Senior All-State WR), Owen Wiseman (Senior All-State OL), Aiden O’Dell (Senior All-State kicker) and Xander Jones (Junior All-State TE), and Milan’s Ethan Pierce (Senior All-State TE), Landon Stanley (Junior All-State OL) and Dylan Offill (Junior All-State DB).

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A trio of Tigers scored in double digits and 11 different players collected points to get Class 2A, No. 11 Triton Central a 72-22 Indiana Crossroads Conference win Tuesday at Indianapolis Scecina.

Maryrose Felling had a game-high 23 points. Brooklyn Bailey had 11 points and Cheyenne Allen came off the bench to score 10 points.

Triton Central (6-2, 4-0 ICC) led 22-4 after one quarter and 34-9 at halftime and was never challenged by the Crusaders.

Ainsley Brown topped Scecina (1-3, 0-2 ICC) with eight points and four rebounds.

Triton Central won the junior varsity game, 51-13. Sophia Burbrink led the Tigers with 13 points.

The Tigers host Southwestern (0-9) Saturday.

In other girls basketball games Tuesday:

New Palestine 56, Shelbyville 49

At New Palestine, sophomore Sadey Hughbanks scored a career-high 17 points to push the Dragons’ Hoosier Heritage Conference record to 3-0.

Vivian Miller and Kylee Beranek each scored 10 points for New Palestine (5-5).

Ava Wilson topped Shelbyville (6-4, 0-2 HHC) with 15 points. Hannah Baker finished with 14 points.

The Golden Bears’ junior varsity improved to 10-0 with a 27-25 victory at New Palestine.

Shelbyville hosts New Castle (1-9, 0-3 HHC) Friday at Garrett Gymnasium at 6 p.m. in a varsity-only contest.

Knightstown 44, Southwestern 28

At Knightstown, Anna Roberson scored a game-high 12 points and Lilly Drew and Taylor Reagan each had 10 points to push the Panthers’ record to 5-3.

Emma Isgrigg and Riley Engel each scored eight points to lead Southwestern (0-9).

The Spartans are at Class 2A, No. 11 Triton Central Saturday.

Jac-Cen-Del 62, Waldron 46

At Waldron, the Class A, No. 10-ranked Eagles used a 23-point second quarter to take a 34-26 lead at halftime and roll to their seventh victory of the season.

Julia Meyer finished with a game-high 25 points for Jac-Cen-Del (7-2).

Alyssa Benson led Waldron (4-6) with 15 points. Grace Fischer finished with 12 points.

Jac-Cen-Del won the junior varsity game, 43-34. Evelyn Campbell led Waldron with nine points.

The Mohawks host Morristown (1-8) Friday in a girls/boys varsity-only doubleheader.

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Julia Sanders played one of her best matches in IU Kokomo’s biggest match of the season.

The Triton Central graduate had 17 digs, one assist and one service ace Friday for the Cougars but it was not enough to get them past No. 2 Indiana Wesleyan in the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Sioux Falls, Iowa.

IU Kokomo defeated No. 23 Oklahoma Wesleyan Thursday, 25-18, 28-26, 23-25, 25-22 in the first of two pool play contests. Sanders had one assist and nine digs.

A win over Indiana Wesleyan would have advanced the Cougars to the National Championship Quarterfinal Round. Instead, Indiana Wesleyan advanced with a 25-20, 13-25, 24-26, 25-20, 15-8 victory that ended IU Kokomo’s season at 34-4.

The Cougars made their ninth-straight NAIA postseason tournament appearance and advanced to the Final Site for the fourth time in program history.

Here is a look at other Shelby County graduates competing at the collegiate level.

Maya Chandler

The Triton Central graduate had five points and an assist Monday in SMU’s 78-76 loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The loss dropped the Mustangs to 3-5 this season.

On Thursday, Chandler finished with two points and one rebound in SMU’s 85-61 loss to No. 13 Baylor.

Taylor Heath

The Triton Central graduate scored two points, dished out five assists and had one steal Saturday in Hanover’s 76-68 loss to DePauw in the 22^nd Annual McWilliams Classic hosted by Washington University in St. Louis.

Hanover opened the classic Friday with an 86-75 loss to Washington. Heath finished with five points and five assists.

Drake Moore

The Morristown graduate had 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals Saturday in Oakland City’s 90-88 double-overtime victory at Indiana University Southeast.

On Wednesday, Moore had two points, two assists, one blocked shot and one steal in a 70-55 loss at Midway University.

Tenleigh Phelps and Lizzie Graham

Indiana University South Bend improved to 9-0 Saturday with a 104-60 win over Trinity Christian College.

Phelps, a Triton Central graduate, had 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Graham, also a Triton Central graduate, had six points and one rebound.

The Titans moved within one win of tying the program record for consecutive wins to start the season.

On Wednesday, Phelps finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds, one assist and one steal in IU South Bend’s 55-47 win at Holy Cross College. Graham finished with one rebound and one assist.

Lucas Mitchell

The Waldron graduate had one blocked shot and one steal for Wabash in an 84-42 win over Rose-Hulman.

Wabash is 6-2 this season.

Hadyn Ball

The Triton Central graduate lost a pair of matches Saturday for Wabash in the Indiana Little State Wrestling Tournament at Indiana Tech.

Ball, competing at 197 pounds, was defeated by Indiana Tech’s Nathan Crutchfield in his first collegiate match. In the consolation bracket, Ball lost to Trine’s Davin George, 13-2.

Kina Schultz

The Shelbyville graduate placed sixth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.87 seconds) Saturday for Muskingum in the Case Western Invitational in Cleveland, Ohio.

Madalyn Hudnall

The Waldron graduate finished fifth in the shot put (11.67 meters) and 12^th in the weight throw (9.56 meters) Saturday for Mount St. Joseph in the Scott Fangman Invitational hosted by the University of Indianapolis.

Zaleeya Martin

The Shelbyville graduate finished third in the 60 meters (7.94) and fourth in the 200 (27.27) in the Fangman Invitational in Indianapolis. The former Hanover sprinter was competing in her first meet for the University of Indianapolis.

Madisen Hinderliter

The Shelbyville graduate finished 10^th for St. Francis in the women’s weight throw (13.89 meters) Saturday in the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodon Opener in Fort Wayne.

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School spirit was at a peak at Shelbyville High School Wednesday night as teams squared off in the third annual boys interclass volleyball competition.

The seniors earned a hard-fought come-from-behind victory over the defending champion class of 2026 squad in the championship round to claim the crown. They will move on to face a team comprised of SHS faculty this week at a school pep session.

The event was sponsored by the Shelbyville High School Student Athletic Advisory Council.

“The athletic advisory council was started a few years ago to promote athletic participation and support for Golden Bear sports,” said varsity baseball and strength coach Royce Carlton, who along with girls basketball head coach Becca Hoefler, sponsors the group. “Our goal is to create a positive sports environment and encourage enthusiasm for school athletics.”

The student advisory council meets monthly during the school year to discuss topics and make suggestions and recommendations that relate to Golden Bear athletics.

“Each SHS sport selects two athletes to be part of the council,” said Carlton. “We also utilize the group to promote leadership skills. Designated members of the council attend conferences that offer lectures and activities designed to develop a leadership mentality.”

The seniors dominated the freshmen 25-6 in the opening contest behind the consistent serving of Reece Carlton.

The sophomores and juniors battled down to the wire with the sophomores, led by Aiden Smith and Corbin Martin, pulling out a one-point win in the night’s second match. Gavin Fisher and Corbin Deck spearheaded a valiant effort by the junior class.

The championship match was a thriller with the defending champs jumping out to a 5-0 lead behind the strong net play of Smith, before the seniors gathered themselves. The sophomores held a commanding 22-17 lead and appeared headed for a title repeat.

Brock Kuhn, Kohen Myers and Luke Brinkman initiated the senior comeback and the score became knotted at 23. The teams traded points and the match was tied at 24. The sophomores failed to return Carlton’s serve on the final point and the seniors celebrated a 25-24 victory.

“We lost two years in a row so getting this win was sweet,” said Brinkman. “We had a real team effort that was responsible for the comeback. (Ethan) Lambert, (Luke) Jackson, (Axel) Conover and everyone else contributed, and Carlton did a great job serving.”

“We made mistakes early but just focused on keeping the ball in play after that bad start,” said Myers. “Smith is very tough at the net so it took all of us working together to get this done.”

The SHS girls volleyball team provided coaching for the teams and also served as officials and line judges.

“The teams all practiced a couple of times before the matches and really worked to get better,” said Royce Carlton.

Proceeds from the event will provide Christmas gifts for children in need.

“This is always a good-natured but somewhat intense competition,” stated Carlton. “Everyone wants to win. It makes for a fun night and is excellent for promoting morale and participation at Shelbyville High School.”

CONNERSVILLE -- Shelbyville collected a second hard-fought road victory this season Saturday night at Connersville.

Senior Ethan Lambert and sophomore Mar Nicholson combined for 26 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots to lead the Golden Bears to a 50-44 victory over the Spartans.

“That was definitely a test for us with a tough, scrappy Connersville team,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “They were physical and their guards rebounded very well. That was definitely a big test for us and we came out with a win.”

Shelbyville, now 3-0 for the first time since the 2018 season, proved it could win a game when it did not hit a bevy of three-pointers. On Saturday in the Spartan Bowl where the program is 0-4 in the last decade of the series, Shelbyville hit just 2-of-13 shots from beyond the arc – and one of the two makes was a half-court heave from Luke Brinkman that ended the third quarter with a bang.

“I feel like our height and physical play took over in this game with Ethan Lambert getting buckets down low and Mar Nicholson getting his rebounds and attacking the glass,” said Hartnett. “When the ‘3’ is not falling you have to find other things to do – and that is attack the glass and get offensive rebounds and putbacks.”

The strong play of Lambert and Nicholson also put Connersville’s only low-post threat in Blaine Hornsby (photo, guarded by Lambert) in foul trouble. The senior still finished with 13 points and eight rebounds but was never really a factor in the game.

Lambert, a senior forward, saw his minutes limited in Shelbyville’s 49-44 win at Triton Central one week earlier but responded with a powerful performance against an opponent that could not keep him away from the basket.

“We knew we were bigger than these guys and their biggest guy was 6-4 and I’ve got four or five of those guys,” said Hartnett. “Ethan Lambert played a heck of a game. He came out fired up and ready to go.

“Ethan knows that his strength is a lot stronger than a lot of people. He did a great job taking advantage down low, along with Mar Nicholson getting those offensive rebounds and putbacks.”

Shelbyville sophomore Brody Runnebohm

Shelbyville led 10-6 and 21-19 after each of the first two quarters but finally found separation in the third quarter. Lambert had six points and four rebounds in the quarter and the Golden Bears shot 57% from the field.

The quarter ended with a loose ball rebound punched away from the Connersville basket. Brinkman ran it down as time was running out and heaved a shot from in front of the scorer’s bench that went in for a 38-31 lead.

An 8-0 run sparked by another Lambert score in the lane and ended with a Caden Claxton drive and score opened the lead to 46-33.

A 6-0 run by the Spartans kept it close but five fourth-quarter turnovers killed any comeback attempt.

Lambert finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Nicholson had a game-high 14 points and five rebounds. Claxton finished with 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Notes: Shelbyville’s junior varsity improved to 3-0 this season with a 39-27 victory. Gavin Reed scored 16 of his game-high 19 points in the second half for the Golden Bears. Carter Dunagan had eight points. … Shelbyville will try and start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2006 when New Castle visits Garrett Gymnasium Friday for a girls/boys varsity-only doubleheader. The Trojans are 2-2. … With the win Saturday at Connersville, Hartnett secured career win No. 28 in his fifth season with the Golden Bears. His first three wins this year have come against head coaches Kerry Brown, Mark James and Dave McCullough who have a combined 1,538 career wins.

Steve Bush photos

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Triton Central closed out its season-opening run against Shelby County opponents with a 3-1 record.

On Saturday, eight different Tigers scored to secure a 65-36 win over Southwestern.

Eli Sego scored nine of his 15 points in the first quarter and Silas Blair scored 13 for Class 2A, No. 19 Triton Central. Taggy Goul and Sam Collier each scored eight points.

Just three Spartans scored in the loss. Ben Kahler finished with a game-high 19 points for Southwestern (0-2). Carter Snepp scored 14 and Mitchell Clements had a fourth-quarter three-pointer in the loss.

Southwestern is at Tri (0-2) Thursday. Triton Central travels Friday to Class 3A, No. 6 Greensburg (2-0).

In other prep events:

Boys basketball

Edinburgh 56, Waldron 51

At Waldron, the host Mohawks led by eight points in the third quarter but could not close out the Mid-Hoosier Conference win over the Lancers (3-1, 1-0 MHC).

Keith Settles led Waldron (0-3, 0-1 MHC) with 13 points. Jack Fischer finished with nine points.

Waldron won the junior varsity game, 59-34. Hunter Dodson had 15 points for the Mohawks.

Waldron hosts Morristown Friday in a girls/boys varsity-only doubleheader.

Hauser 54, Morristown 43

At Morristown Friday, a slow start hampered the Yellow Jackets in the loss.

The Jets led 12-6 after one quarter and 24-17 at halftime. Alex Cord and Ledger Gelfius each scored 12 points for Hauser (2-0, 1-0 MHC). Gavin Keller had 10.

Colin Kieninger scored a game-high 24 points to lead Morristown (0-3, 0-1 MHC). Kellen Crim finished with 12 points.

On Saturday, Knightstown improved to 4-0 this season with a 56-39 win over Morristown (0-4).

The Yellow Jackets are at Waldron Friday.

Girls basketball

Shelbyville 39, Batesville 18

At Batesville, the Golden Bears held an opponent under 20 points for the third time this season and improved to 6-3.

Shelbyville senior Ava Wilson scored a game-high 15 points and pushed her career scoring total to 910 points.

Ellie Keller hit a trio of three-pointers in the third quarter and finished with 11 points. Hannah Baker had nine points.

Kaylin Kathman led Batesville (5-4) with five points.

Shelbyville’s junior varsity upped its record to 9-0 with a 42-31 win at Batesville.

Shelbyville is at Hoosier Heritage Conference rival New Palestine (4-5) Tuesday.

Triton Central 83, Waldron 37

At Triton Central, the host Tigers scored at least 20 points in each of the first three quarters to pull away for their fourth-straight victory.

Maryrose Felling scored a game-high 29 points for Class 2A, No. 14 Triton Central (5-2). Brooklyn Bailey added 19 points and Sophia Burbrink scored 10 points.

Grace Fischer scored 16 points to lead Waldron (4-5).

The Mohawks host Jac-Cen-Del (6-2) Tuesday. Triton Central travels to Indianapolis Scecina (1-2) Tuesday.

Purdue Poly Englewood 65, Southwestern 36

At Southwestern, nine different Techies scored to get Purdue Poly (2-3) its second-straight victory.

Haley Casey and Emma Estes each scored seven points to top Southwestern (0-8). Ellie Gosser hit a pair of 3s for six points.

The Spartans are at Knightstown (4-3) Tuesday.

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FAIRLAND – The final and most emphatic scoring run went to Triton Central – and so did the win.

Triton Central retained possession of the Victory Bell Thursday over a pesky Waldron squad, 63-53.

The Tigers trailed 47-40 going into the final quarter on their home floor then outscored the Mohawks 23-6 over the last eight minutes to improve to 2-1 this season.

“We spent a lot of time on being aware of the clock, not rushing and I thought Max (Crouse) did a great job of keeping the ball in his hands,” said Triton Central head coach Mark James on his team’s improvement since its last game. “He did some good IQ things for us.”

Triton Central played without leading scorer Eli Sego (19.5 ppg), who was still suffering the effects of severe leg cramps during Saturday’s loss to Shelbyville. That put the ball in Crouse’s hands more and he delivered a 17-point, five-assist, four-rebound, two-steal performance. The sophomore hit four free throws in the final 32 seconds to seal the victory.

Silas Blair hit three second-quarter three-pointers to get Triton Central a 33-28 halftime lead. He then scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to finish with a game-high 28 points to go with four rebounds and two blocked shots.

“We challenged him after the Shelbyville game because we thought that sophomore, No. 1 (Mar Nicholson), took him to the basket,” said James. “We talked to him about guarding his man, being tall and helping people out. I thought he played really hard defensively tonight. It’s about as hard as I’ve seen him play physically.”

Without Sego, James needed someone to step up and fill that void and junior Sam Collier answered the challenge with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Waldron (0-2) was quick and the more aggressive team early on. The Mohawks were jumping passing lanes and racing to the basket at the other end. The result was a quick 8-2 lead.

“We try to score prior to attacking a set defense because you see a variety of (defensive) styles,” said first-year Waldron coach David Corder. “We really try to get some easy cheap baskets. (Triton Central) did a good job taking it away from us as the game went on and I thought their ability to drop their shoulders and get to the rim hurt us a little bit.”

Waldron’s early lead disappeared in what was a game of scoring runs but the Mohawks recovered to take an 18-14 lead into the first break.

Blair’s trio of 3s came in a span of just over two minutes in the second quarter that put the Tigers up at halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Waldron, outscoring the hosts 19-7. Six different Mohawks scored in part to Lucas Shaw dishing out six assists.

Triton Central had just two field goals in the quarter and four turnovers which helped the Mohawks build a 47-40 lead going into the final quarter.

Following a three-point play from freshman Henry Kemper, who played major minutes in the fourth quarter for Triton Central, Shaw stuck a 3-pointer from the top of the key to push the lead back to seven. It would be the only field goal Waldron scored in the quarter.

“It’s a little different here. I coached in Georgia a long time and you get about five weeks to practice before your first game,” explained Corder. “We have to come up with a come-from-behind offense, a delay game and a quick-strike offense and, frankly, we haven’t had time to work on that yet.”

Waldron hit just 1 of 11 shots in the fourth quarter.

Shaw finished with a team-high 16 points and had six assists and four rebounds. Jack Fischer had a career-high 10 points and Keith Settles finished with seven points and five rebounds.

Triton Central won the junior varsity game, 54-28.

Cael Butler led the Tigers with 14 points. Rex Lory had 12.

Ethan Moody and Jack Adkins each scored five points for Waldron.

The Mohawks open their Mid-Hoosier Conference schedule Saturday at home against Edinburgh (1-1).

Triton Central finishes its four-game run against Shelby County opponents Saturday when it hosts Southwestern (0-1).

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