Local Sports

Shelbyville secures season-opening shutout at Seymour

SEYMOUR – Shelbyville had to wait an extra 90 minutes to get its 2024 softball season underway. The wait was well worth it for first-year head coach Megan Leffler.

Following a rain delay and field prep work, senior Cheyenne Eads pitched six dominant innings while sophomore Sydney Brown smashed her first high school home run and drove in four runs to lead the Golden Bears to a 6-0 victory.

The win was the first for the former Megan Cory, a 2012 Shelbyville graduate that played collegiately at IUPUI, who was elevated from assistant coach to head coach in August.

Eads got all the run support she needed in the top of the second inning when freshman Gracie Crafton doubled and scored on sophomore Hailey Maulden’s single for a 1-0 lead.

That lead doubled in the fourth inning when junior Anna Shearer singled and scored two batters later on senior Addysyn Wettrick’s single to make it 2-0.

Eads did not allow an Owl to reach base until the fourth inning with a walk then a single but she secured the third out with her seventh strikeout of the game.

 

 

Shelbyville opened the fifth inning with back-to-back singles from juniors Addison Stieneker and Destiney Johnson ahead of Brown (photo) easily clearing the 200-foot fence at the Seymour facility to make it 5-0.

Eads, a University of Indianapolis commit, finished her season-opening performance with 10 strikeouts.

Crafton allowed two hits in the seventh inning in her varsity debut in the pitcher’s circle but did not allow a run.

Stieneker had three hits to lead Shelbyville. Johnson finished with two hits.

Taylor Stuckwisch (0-1) took the loss for Seymour (1-1). The sophomore allowed six hits and two runs in three innings of work. Peyton Underwood pitched the final four innings in relief and allowed four runs on five hits.

Shelbyville’s home opener is Saturday at 11 a.m. against Jennings County (1-0).

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Southwestern's Kahler, TC's Sego top several statistical categories amongst Shelby County players

Eight of the top 10 and 13 of the top 15 scorers this past season in Shelby County will return for the 2024-2025 boys basketball season.

Southwestern junior Ben Kahler topped all Shelby County players with an 18.7 point-per-game average this past season. Triton Central sophomore Eli Sego (photo) was second at 17 ppg.

Kahler also was the top rebounder in Shelby County averaging 9.1 rpg. Morristown junior Colin Kieninger was second at 6.2 rpg.

Triton Central sophomore Max Crouse had a county-best 3.2 assists-per-game average edging out Waldron junior Lucas Shaw (3.1 apg), Morristown freshman Kellen Crim (3.0 apg) and Southwestern junior Kaden Barlow (3.0 apg) for the top honor.

Sego was the only county player to average more than two steals per game. His 2.2 spg average topped Waldron junior Max Jones’ 1.9 spg.

Waldron senior Keith Settles produced a county-best 34 blocks this season (1.6 bpg). Southwestern senior Carter Snepp (photo, below) followed at 1.2 bpg.

 

 

Three Triton Central players were in the top five of field-goal percentage behind Shelbyville sophomore Cole Schene, 60.9% in limited attempts, and Morristown senior Cade Mahin (56.3%). After that pair, Sego (55.8%), junior Taggy Goul (55.7%) and junior Sam Collier (55.6%) followed.

Crouse also topped the free-throw shooting standings at 84.3%. Waldron junior Parker Douglas was close behind at 83.3%. Sego, at 81%, was the only other county player to top 80%.

Sego made the second-most three-pointers in the county and finished with the top percentage at 44.8%. Southwestern freshman Mitchell Clements followed at 42.9%.

 

 

Crim (photo above, right) sank the most 3s at 53.

Triton Central led the five Shelby County programs with 16 wins this past season.

Shelbyville followed with 11 ahead of Waldron (9), Morristown (5) and Southwestern (3).

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.


Collegiate Update: Edwards, Mississippi State earn series win at No. 18 Arkansas

Mississippi State overpowered Arkansas Sunday to win the Southeastern Conference softball series in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Kylee Edwards (photo), a Shelbyville graduate, had a single and scored a run in No. 20 Mississippi State’s 15-7, 5-inning win over No. 18 Arkansas.

The Razorbacks won game two Saturday, 3-0, to set up Sunday’s finale.

On Friday, the Bulldogs prevailed 6-3 to open the series. Edwards went 1-for-4 in the win.

Mississippi State is now 24-7 overall and 5-4 in the SEC standings and hosts No. 10 Florida later this week.

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

 

 

Madalyn Hudnall

The Waldron graduate finished fifth in the women’s shot put (34 feet, 3.5 inches), fifth in the hammer throw (121-3) and runner-up in the javelin (110-5) for Mount St. Joseph Saturday at the Pioneer Invitational hosted by Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

 

 

Madisen Hinderliter

The Shelbyville graduate placed eighth in the women’s hammer throw (135-4) and 18th in the discus (104-2) for St. Francis at the Polar Bear Invitational Friday and Saturday at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marian, Indiana.

 

 

Kina Schultz

The Shelbyville graduate finished fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (17.45 seconds) and 13th in the 400 hurdles (1:17.73) Saturday for Muskingum at the Amy Adams Memorial Invitational in New Concord, Ohio.

 

 

Morgan Stieneker and Erica Henry

IUPUC’s seven-game win streak came to an end Sunday with a 6-5 loss to Oakland City in Columbus. Stieneker, a Shelbyville graduate, had two hits, scored a run and drove in a run in the loss. Henry, also a Shelbyville graduate, pitched five innings and allowed just one run.

On Tuesday, IUPUC swept a doubleheader at Miami-Hamilton, 10-5 and 13-5. Stieneker had four hits in the two games and Henry earned the save in the game one win after allowing just one run in three innings of relief work.

IUPUC swept a doubleheader against Brescia (Ky.) Friday, 5-1 and 7-2. Stieneker had two hits in the two games and Henry did not allow a run in 2.1 innings of work in game two.

IUPUC is 8-12 this season.

 

 

Katie Mathies

The Shelbyville graduate helped DePauw split a Sunday doubleheader at No. 23-ranked Lynchburg (Virginia).

Mathies had a hit, scored a run and drove in a run in a 9-7 win in game one. She also had a hit and a walk in a 3-0 loss in game two.

DePauw is 7-8 this season.

 

 

Kristen Whitney

The Morristown graduate was inserted as a pinch runner and scored one of Wilmington’s four runs in the top of the seventh inning Sunday to secure an 8-6 win at Hanover.

Wilmington is 7-5.

 

 

Karissa Hamilton

The Shelbyville graduate had three hits and a walk Wednesday in Kentucky’s 7-0 win over Marshall.

The Wildcats are 20-11 this season.

 

 

Abby Eberhardt

The Triton Central graduate had a double and drove in a run for Manchester on March 18 in a 5-3 loss to Wisconsin-Stevens Point in The Spring Games in Clermont, Florida.

Manchester finished the week-long event with a 4-5 record and is 6-5 overall this season.

 

 

Charlie Rife

The Shelbyville graduate had three hits including a double, a walk and scored a run Sunday for Bellarmine in a 17-13 loss to Jacksonville.

 

 

Cory Taylor

The Shelbyville graduate a walk and a home run and drove in two runs Tuesday in Eastern Michigan’s 14-4 victory over Michigan.

Eastern Michigan then won two of three games over the weekend against visiting Western Michigan. Taylor had four hits in the series, including three doubles to help the Eagles improve to 9-14 this season and 4-2 against Mid-American Conference opponents.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Shelbyville's Wilson led two Shelby County statistical categories in memorable season

One final statistical look at the high school girls basketball season backs up those players that had terrific seasons.

Shelbyville senior Ava Wilson (photo) became the seventh Golden Bear to eclipse 1,000 career points during a season when she led all Shelby County players with a 20.5 point-per-game average.

Wilson also led all local players with 3.6 steals per game.

Wilson’s teammate and fellow senior Ella Johnson broke Shelbyville’s single-game and single-season rebounding records while averaging 10.1 per game. Her 233 rebounds this season was 48 more than runner-up Danika Rutledge of Morristown.

Triton Central sophomore Maryrose Felling was the county’s second-leading scorer this season at 17.3 points per game. In her first two seasons as a Tiger, she already has 710 career points.

Felling also was the county’s top three-point shooter, making 59 and hitting at a 36.2% clip.

Triton Central freshman point guard Quinn King benefited greatly from having Felling and senior Brooklyn Bailey 12 ppg (fourth best in Shelby County) in the Tigers’ lineup. King averaged a county-best 5.8 assists per game to edge out Waldron senior Alyssa Benson’s 4.9 apg average.

Morristown junior Emma Nelson had the top blocks average at 1.7 per game. Waldron senior Audrey Hogg (1.5 bpg) was the only other county player to average at least 1.5 bpg this season.

Two Triton Central Tigers led the field-goal percentage category. Senior Lucy Spall had the top percentage at 51.9% (27 of 52). Bailey followed at 48.8% (106 of 217).

Waldron sophomore Jackie Corlett produced the top free-throw percentage at 85% (17 of 20). Bailey was runner-up at 77.2% (61 of 79).

Triton Central led the five Shelby County girls basketball programs with 17 wins this past season. Shelbyville followed with 15 wins ahead of Morristown’s 11, Waldron’s eight and Southwestern’s three.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.


Registration continues for Shelby County Girls Softball leagues

Registration continues through the Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department for summer girls softball leagues.

There will be five age-group leagues this year – T-ball (ages 4-6), 8-and-under (7-8), 10U (9-10), 12U (11-12) and 14U (13-14).

Registration fees are $45 per child for T-ball and $85 per child for the other four leagues.

Team registration also is available for $500 per team.

Registration is due April 19 and may be done online at shelbyparks.com/sports/shelby-county-girls-softball.

Practices will start the week of April 29. League games start the week of May 27.

For more information, contact a parks department representative at 317-392-5128.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Triton Central softball ranked No. 10 in SCAI preseason poll

Three of the four 2023 IHSAA softball state champions debut at No. 1 in the Softball Coaches Association of Indiana preseason poll.

Penn (Class 4A), New Prairie (3A), Eastside (2A) and Tecumseh (A) are the No. 1 teams in their respective classes. Only Eastside, who lost to Andrean in the 2023 semistate championship game, is not a defending state champion.

Hauser and Triton Central, who met in the 2023 semistate semifinal round, are ranked No. 9 and No. 10 in the Class 2A preseason poll. Triton Central finished 20-6 last season without a senior on its roster.

North Posey, the reigning 2A state champion, is ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll. Triton Central’s Indiana Crossroads Conference rival Cascade is No. 3 ahead of Andrean, the 2023 state runner-up, Sullivan, Hebron, Madison-Grant, Union County, Hauser and Triton Central.

Four ICC schools are ranked in the preseason poll.

Tecumseh defeated Caston in the Class A state championship game and begin 2024 as No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the preseason poll.

Rossville is No. 3 followed by Barr-Reeve, Cowan, Lanesville, Indianapolis Lutheran (ICC), Clay City, North Miami and Riverton Parke.

New Prairie topped Tri-West in the 3A state championship game last season and open 2024 as No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Gibson Southern is No. 3 ahead of Western, Leo, Hanover Central, Yorktown, Silver Creek, Connersville and Beech Grove (ICC).

Penn upset Roncalli in the 4A state championship game last year at Purdue’s Bittinger Stadium. The two teams are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the 2024 poll.

Center Grove is No. 3 followed by Pendleton Heights, Avon, Lake Central, New Palestine, Mooresville, Harrison (West Lafayette) and Floyd Central.

Columbus North is ranked No. 13 and Castle is No. 14. Shelbyville, a two-time defending sectional champion, will face both teams in the second week of the regular season.

In total, the Golden Bears will face seven teams this season currently ranked in the top 10.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.


Collegiate Update: Hamilton smashes three home runs in John Cropp Invitational

Karissa Hamilton had five hits and drove in eight runs to help the University of Kentucky softball team to a 4-1 record in the John Cropp Invitational hosted by the Wildcats in Lexington, Kentucky.

Four of Hamilton’s hits were for extra bases, including three home runs.

In the invitational opener Thursday, No. 23 Kentucky shut out South Dakota State, 8-0. The game ended with the Shelbyville graduate belting a three-run home run that put the run rule into effect.

On Saturday, Kentucky defeated Columbia, 12-3. Hamilton had a double and a home run in the victory. Later in the day, Kentucky defeated Ohio State, 9-4. Hamilton delivered her third home run in as many days.

Hamilton did not play in Sunday’s 10-0 win over Columbia then returned to the lineup and had a sacrifice fly RBI in a 12-6 loss to Ohio State.

Kentucky is 19-8 this season.

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

 

 

Olivia Faust

The Triton Central graduate had two points and one rebound Saturday for No. 1 ranked Marian University in a 63-49 win over Stephens College in the second round of the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Tournament.

The win was the 30th consecutive for the Knights (32-1) and earned them an 11th trip to the NAIA National Tournament, held this year in Sioux City, Iowa.

On Friday, Marian advanced through the first round with a 95-67 win over Florida National University. Faust had one point, three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in the win.

Marian will play in the Round of 16 Thursday at 2 p.m. (EST) against the University of Jamestown (19-12).

 

 

Tenleigh Phelps and Lizzie Graham

The Indiana University South Bend women’s basketball season came to an end Saturday in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament.

The Titans were defeated by Dakota State University, 85-47, in Madison, South Dakota. The Titans closed out their record-breaking season at 31-2.

Phelps, a Triton Central graduate, had a team-high 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists in the loss. Graham, also a Triton Central graduate, had two rebounds.

The Titans opened the NAIA Tournament Friday with a 72-53 win over Grand View University. Phelps finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal. Graham had one rebound and one steal.

 

 

Tristin Maloney

The Shelbyville graduate placed 30th in the 1,500 (5:15.23) Saturday for Franklin College in the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology Early Bird Invite in Terre Haute.

 

 

Bailey Stamper

The Triton Central graduate finished fifth in the discus (75 feet, eight inches) and seventh in the shot put (27-0.5) for Franklin College in Terre Haute Saturday in the RHIT Early Bird Invite.

 

 

Hailey Pogue

The Shelbyville graduate had a double and a run batted in Wednesday for the University of Indianapolis in a 15-2 win over New Haven at The Spring Games in Winter Haven, Florida. Pogue also pitched two innings and struck out three batters while allowing one hit for the No. 7-ranked Greyhounds, who have won 16 straight games and are 25-2 this season.

 

 

Elizabeth Kemper

The Triton Central graduate posted 18-hole rounds of 87 and 85 for Taylor University in the Baker Shootout at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course in Spring Hill, Kansas.

The Trojans, ranked No. 22 nationally, won the event by 36 strokes.

 

 

Oliver Gearlds

The Triton Central graduate shot rounds of 86 and 82 for Indiana University Kokomo’s men’s golf team Thursday at the Leopard’s Chase event at Big Cats Golf Resort in Ocean Isle, North Carolina.

 

 

Brayden Basey

The Shelbyville graduate had a single and a walk Sunday for Trine’s men’s baseball team in an 18-3 loss at Franklin College.

Trine is 7-6 this season.

 

 

Morgan Stieneker and Erica Henry

IUPUC collected a pair of wins Sunday over Alice College (Kentucky).

In game one, Stieneker, a Shelbyville graduate, had a single, scored a run and drove in a run in IUPUC’s 9-1 victory.

In game two, Henry, also a Shelbyville graduate, pitched 4.2 innings, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out three in a 14-10 win. Stieneker had two hits, two stolen bases, scored two runs and two RBI.

IUPUC is 3-11 this season.

 

 

Katie Mathies

The Shelbyville graduate had a hit and a walk and drove in a run for DePauw softball Sunday in a 7-6 win over Transylvania in the final game of the Pioneer Classic in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

On Saturday, DePauw defeated Anderson, 8-7, before losing to Dominican, 5-4. Mathies had a hit and drove in a run in the win over the Ravens and had a triple and scored a run in the loss to Dominican.

DePauw lost to Trine, the defending national champions, 9-1 in its opener Sunday.

 

 

Charlie Rife

The Shelbyville graduate had a single, a walk and scored two runs Sunday in Bellarmine’s 14-3 loss at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, Florida.

On Friday in the three-game series opener, Rife had a double, a walk and scored a run in a 10-4 loss.

Bellarmine is 1-18 this season and 0-3 now in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings.

 

 

Kylee Edwards

The Shelbyville graduate had two hits, a walk and scored a run Saturday in No. 21 Mississippi State’s 8-5 loss to No. 13 Texas A&M.

The Bulldogs closed out the conference three-game series Sunday with a win to improve to 21-6 this season and 3-3 against Southeastern Conference opponents.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

IU East presented soccer opportunity Shelbyville senior could not pass up

An opportunity presented itself to Ellie Simpson that she could not turn down.

The senior was at a Ball State soccer camp with the Shelbyville High School girls soccer team last summer and the Indiana University East coach wanted a conversation with her.

“I wasn’t thinking anything, just playing how I normally play,” said Simpson. “My school coach came up and said this coach is really interested in you.”

Simpson did not take the conversation seriously. She quickly realized that was a mistake.

“(IU East head coach Shane Meridith) talked to me after the game and said he really wanted me to come play for him and how he had this scholarship,” recalled Simpson. “I went to the school and loved it and said I wanted to play.”

Simpson verbally committed in the fall and recently made that commitment official with a signing ceremony in the Golden Bear Room at Shelbyville High School.

The daughter of Derek and Amanda Simpson has not yet decided on a major but she is excited to know her soccer career will continue at the Richmond-based university.

A four-year stalwart with the Shelbyville soccer program, the Golden Bears won 42 games over her career. A defensive leader, she scored two goals and had three assists over the last two seasons when the team went 25-9.

IU East finished 5-7-6 last season without a senior on the roster. Simpson is part of a large recruiting class that is expected to bolster the program.

“There are 11 freshmen coming in,” said Simpson. “It’s a big class that (coach Meridith) has high hopes for.”

Simpson is currently training with her club soccer team and embracing being a one-sport athlete now that her high school basketball career is complete.

“I am grinding soccer now every day,” she admitted knowing the college soccer student-athlete routine will be more challenging.

“I think it will be a big transition just because how the practices are,” said Simpson. “I think it will be a lot tougher at IU East.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.


Conover excited to continue football career at Hanover College

The Shelbyville High School football program has not sent an athlete to a college football program since 2018. On Wednesday, Axel Conover changed that by making his commitment to play football at Hanover College official.

“This is exciting,” said Conover. “I think this opens the eyes for a lot of guys on the team. They realize they can do it too and they can play at the next level.”

Brian Glesing, head coach of the Shelbyville football program in 2021 and 2022, first put the idea in Conover’s head.

“It all started with me going to camps. Coach Glesing was the first one here to talk to me about playing college football,” said Conover. “Then, I started putting stuff out there on Twitter (now known as ‘X’).

“Twitter is how you get recruited right now. And keep being persistent with coaches and talking to them. And if they don’t hit you back one time, you have to keep texting and emailing them.”

 

 

Conover developed a small list of schools to consider but Hanover stood out right away.

“It’s a beautiful campus,” he said. “I really connected with the coaches when I went on my first visit. I took an overnight visit and stayed with some of the guys and that really sold me.”

Conover recorded a team-high 64 total tackles and had three interceptions his senior year. In 2022, he had team-highs in rushing attempts, rushing yards and touchdowns and added 45 total tackles, second most on the defensive side of the ball, and an interception.

Hanover plans to use Conover as a safety.

“I think it will be tough,” he admitted. “It’s a big jump but I am excited for it.”

The son of Ken and Brenda Smith, Conover will major in Exercise Science with the goal of becoming a high school strength and conditioning coach.

“This decision is more than just about football,” said current Shelbyville football head coach Scott Fitzgerald to the large crowd in attendance Wednesday in the Golden Bear Room at the high school to support Conover. “This decision is about life. This decision is about where he is going to move on to.

“We know he is going to do fantastic things on the football field and we know he is going to do fantastic things in life. We look forward to having the opportunity to go down and see him play and represent the Golden Bears.”

Once the recruiting process was in full swing, Conover relied on current assistant football coach Pat Parks for direction.

 

 

“I was learning quickly how hard I had to work and then him working me that hard,” said Conover. “I realized this is what I want to do. I wanted to keep playing and didn’t want this to be my last year.”

Conover’s athletic career as a Golden Bear is complete. The goal now is to get ready for the transition to Hanover.

“I am keeping in the weight room,” he said. “I will keep working hard and enjoy my time of the last couple months being around here.”

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Wettrick ready for bigger role with Golden Bears after signing with Manchester

Addysyn Wettrick’s love of softball was on full display late in her junior season when she played outfield for the Shelbyville Golden Bears with a full cast on her throwing hand.

“That was very interesting,” admitted Wettrick. “Thankfully, only one ball got hit to me and it was one where I didn’t have to throw it in. It kind of felt cool.”

Now healthy and committed to playing softball at Manchester University in northern Indiana, Wettrick is looking forward to being a fixture in the outfield for the Golden Bears during her senior season.

“I am just hoping to have fun,” she said. “I am really good friends with the seniors this year so I am hoping to have one last good year with them.”

The daughter of Brandon and Brianna Wettrick, the senior will major in Biochemistry at Manchester.

“I am hoping to do Pharmacy,” said Wettrick. “I can do a doctorate (degree) in Pharmacy (at Manchester) if I decide to but I haven’t decided yet how far I want to go.”

 

 

What she is sure of is her desire to play collegiate softball.

“I don’t think I can imagine after high school not playing softball,” she said.

Wettrick moves into a starting outfielder role for the 2024 Golden Bears, who have produced at least 20 wins in three consecutive seasons and captured back-to-back sectional titles.

She suffered a broken bone in her right hand while diving for a ball in the outfield during one of the last practices ahead of the 2023 scrimmage. The cast caused her to miss most of last season.

A shortstop during the travel softball season, Manchester has seen her more as an infielder than an outfielder. Wettrick is open to playing time – position does not matter.

“I am not trying to expect anything when I go there,” said Wettrick. “If they put me at shortstop … great. If they put me in the outfield … great.”

Either way, Wettrick is excited for the challenge of getting away from home and continuing in the sport she loves.

“I am ready to get out,” she said. “I have my friends here but I am ready to leave Shelbyville. I didn’t want to be too far. I didn’t want to go out of state (for college). Manchester is far enough away but I can always come back for a couple of days.”

Shelbyville softball travels to Charlottesville Thursday for its season-opening scrimmage against Eastern Hancock.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.


Collegiate Update: Taylor aids Eastern Michigan to MAC series win at Ball State

Cory Taylor had two hits on March 5 in Eastern Michigan’s 6-2 loss at No. 9-ranked Vanderbilt.

The Eagles opened the Mid-American Conference (MAC) schedule with a series win at Ball State over the weekend.

Eastern Michigan won Friday’s opener in Muncie, 10-9. Taylor, a Shelbyville graduate, finished with three hits including a home run, scored two runs and drove in four.

Taylor stayed hot Saturday in Eastern Michigan’s 6-2 victory. He had a double and a home run and drove in two runs.

Ball State recovered to win the series finale Sunday, 11-8.

Eastern Michigan is 5-10 overall and 2-1 in the MAC standings.

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

 

 

Maya Chandler

The Triton Central graduate scored seven points, collected a season-high eight rebounds and had three assists on March 5 in SMU’s 68-61 loss to South Florida to close out the Mustangs’ regular-season schedule.

On Saturday, Tulane defeated SMU, 68-62, in the American Athletic Conference Tournament opener for both teams. Chandler finished with two points, three rebounds, four assists and one steal.

SMU finished its season at 14-16.

 

 

Asher Caldwell

The Morristown graduate carded a round of 83 Thursday for Trine University men’s golf in a 304-315 loss to Oglethorpe University at Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Georgia.

 

 

Brayden Basey

The Shelbyville graduate had a stolen base and scored a run Wednesday for Trine baseball in a 10-8 win over North Central (Minnesota).

Trine lost game two of the doubleheader Wednesday to fall to 7-3 this season.

 

 

Katie Mathies

The Shelbyville graduate reached base twice Sunday in DePauw’s 5-4 win at Millikin to close out the Millikin Tournament in Decatur, Illinois.

DePauw suffered an 11-9 loss Saturday to Grinnell to open the event. Mathies had a walk and was hit by a pitch.

The Tigers rebounded to defeat Wisconsin-Stevens Point Saturday, 7-2. Mathies had two hits including a double and drove in two runs.

In Sunday’s opener, DePauw again defeated Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 6-4. Mathies had two doubles and drove in three runs.

DePauw is 4-5 this season.

 

 

Morgan Stieneker and Erica Henry

Stieneker, a Shelbyville graduate, had a hit and scored a run while Henry, also a Shelbyville graduate, allowed just one run in 2.1 innings of work to propel Indiana University Columbus to its first win of the season, 8-6, Monday at Midway.

In game two of the doubleheader, Midway prevailed 6-2. Stieneker had two hits including a double. Henry pitched 1.1 innings and allowed three hits and one unearned run.

On Sunday, IU Columbus was swept in a doubleheader at Indiana University Southeast. The Grenadiers won game one, 4-2, and game two, 3-0.

Stieneker had one hit and scored a run in the doubleheader. Henry pitched in both games, allowing five hits and two runs in 3.2 combined innings of work.

IU Columbus is 1-7 this season.

 

 

Karissa Hamilton

The Shelbyville graduate had a double and a home run Sunday in Kentucky’s 8-2 loss to LSU. She also scored two runs and had two RBI.

Kentucky was swept by LSU to fall to 14-7 this season and 0-3 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) standings.

 

 

Charlie Rife

The Shelbyville graduate went hitless in two at bats and drew a walk Monday in Bellarmine’s 8-1 loss to the University of Southern Indiana.

USI also won game two of the doubleheader, 8-4.

Bellarmine is 1-13 this season.

 

 

Kylee Edwards

The Shelbyville graduate had a run-scoring sacrifice fly Sunday in Mississippi State’s 10-9 loss in eight innings at Ole Miss.

Mississippi State won the first two games of the SEC series, 5-1 Friday and 4-0 Saturday. Edwards had a triple and scored a run in Saturday’s win.

The Bulldogs are 19-4 this season (2-1 SEC).

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Triton Central's Sego, Blair selected to All-ICC Boys Basketball Team

Triton Central sophomore Eli Sego has been named the Indiana Crossroads Conference Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

The ICC released its 2024 All-Conference Boys Basketball Team and it included a pair of Tigers.

Sego (main photo) averaged 17 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game for Triton Central, who finished as the conference runner-up.

Silas Blair (photo, below), a junior, also was selected All-ICC after averaging 13.9 points and five rebounds per game this past season.

 

 

Also named All-ICC were Beech Grove senior Jarron Murry Jr. (10.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg); Ritter freshman Devin Bolden (11.6 ppg, 9 rpg) and senior Xavier Highbaugh (14 ppg, 3 rpg); Cascade junior Connor Sanders (11.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Lutheran juniors Cayden Loesher (11.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and L.J. Ward (18.9 ppg, 3.8 apg); Monrovia seniors Jayden Jones (13.4 ppg, 4.2 apg) and Tucker Rahn (15.8 ppg, 3.5 apg); Speedway sophomore Drew Matelic (14 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and senior Cam Reich (17.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg); and Scecina senior David Mendez.

Ritter was crowned ICC champions with a 6-1 record against conference foes. The Raiders finished the season with a 9-14 record.

Triton Central (16-7, 5-2 ICC) was runner-up ahead of Lutheran (15-9, 4-3), Speedway (9-13, 4-3), Monrovia (11-12, 3-4), Beech Grove (5-19, 3-4), Scecina (8-16, 2-5) and Cascade (10-12, 1-6).

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St. Joseph, Loper Blue claim elementary boys basketball titles at Garrett Gymnasium

The St. Joseph Lions jumped out to an early lead and coasted to a 27-11 victory over Hendricks Green in the “A” division championship game of the 2024 Shelbyville Central Schools boys’ elementary schools basketball tournament Thursday night at William L. Garrett Gymnasium.

St. Joe came out fast in avenging an earlier season loss to the Hurricanes. Harrison Fischer scored seven first-quarter points pacing the Lions to a 9-0 lead at the end of the first period. Fischer added five more points in the second quarter and St. Joe held a commanding 23-4 halftime advantage.   

Hendricks Green battled back to win the second half by a 7-4 margin, however the St. Joe lead was too much to overcome.

“We just did not hit shots tonight,” said Hendricks Green coach Josh Greene. “We had a very good year but the shots did not fall tonight.”

 

 

St. Joe coach Nathan Gwinnup praised his team’s ball movement as the key to the win.

“I thought we passed extremely well in the game,” said Gwinnup. “We were able to move the ball and get good looks and were fortunate enough to shoot well tonight.”

Fischer led all scorers with 12 points including two three-point baskets. Teammate Sam Johnson contributed seven with fellow Lions Beckam Lee and Franklin Foltz each finishing with four.

Tate Greene led the Hurricanes with four points. Wyatt Wampler tallied three points and Landon Coy and Javier Rosales scored two points apiece.

Loper Blue’s Eli Walton poured in 11 third-quarter points to break open a tight game and lead his team to a 26-12 win over Hendricks Grey in the “B” division championship. The Bulldogs outscored the Hurricanes 17-3 in that decisive period.

 

 

Walton claimed high-scoring honors with 16 points. Loper teammates Arie Galloway and Rylin Lee finished with six and four points, respectively.

Cameron Flynn led Hendricks Grey with five points followed by Kolton Fricke with three. Jackson Hawkins and Carter Rowe scored two each.

Shelbyville Golden Bear basketball players Ethan Lambert, Cole Schene and Tyler Gwinnup were on hand to distribute championship and runner-up ribbons.  

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Morristown sophomore competes at IHSAA Gymnastics State Finals

Remi Spicklemire became the first Morristown gymnast to compete at the IHSAA State Finals since 2008 Saturday at Ball State University’s Worthen Arena.

The sophomore scored her best score of the season (9.05) on the balance beam at the regional competition on March 1 to earn the trip to Muncie.

On Saturday, Spicklemire could not match her regional performance and scored an 8.1 on her balance beam routine and finished 36th overall in the state competition.

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Shelbyville baseball coach accepts position with Miami Marlins

Royce Carlton is going to “The Show.”

The Shelbyville High School educator and baseball coach has accepted a job offer with Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins.

“You never hear about this happening,” said Carlton Thursday, who is still trying to process his move to a MLB organization. “High school to college, maybe, but Shelbyville, Indiana, to … This is wild.”

Carlton, head baseball coach, strength and conditioning coach and physical education teacher at Shelbyville, will move to Jupiter, Florida, later this month where he will assume the role of pitching coach for the Marlins’ Rookie League team – the Florida Complex League Marlins.

Carlton was contacted by Rachel Balkovec, the Marlins’ director of player development, to gauge interest in joining the organization.

“Two weekends ago I got a text message from Rachel Balkovec,” said Carlton. “The Miami Marlins hired her as the head of player development. … She wanted to know if I could be on the phone in two hours. And she asked if I wanted to work in professional baseball. I said, ‘I’m listening.’

“It just went on from there.”

The Morristown native, who has been a baseball coach at Morristown, Attica and Shelbyville since 2014, advanced through several rounds of interviews before receiving an official job offer – one he turned down.

 

 

“That was pretty nerve wracking,” explained Carlton. “Honestly, during this whole time I was thinking a high school baseball coach straight to the pros never happens. I figured I was doing all this work not to get it.”

In the end, a second offer was presented and the opportunity to work for a MLB team was to enticing to pass up. Still a newlywed, though, he needed Kelsey Carlton to sign off on the major life decision.

“That was a very interesting conversation at first,” he said. “At least it’s not Minneapolis, Minnesota. It’s in a nice place next to a beach. She said if she can sit on a beach, she is willing to try it out.”

While the Marlins organization gains a coach fluent in the modern technology used so frequently in today’s sport, Carlton admits the timing is horrible for a Golden Bears baseball program primed for a strong season.

“The terms weren’t really right for me to leave this amazing thing I have going here,” said Carlton of turning down the Marlins’ first offer. “We have a new infield, an amazing weight room and I am comfortable here. I am having a great time here and I’ve got a great thing going here.

“We went through a couple different negotiations and there came a point last week where I called (Balkovec) and officially declined. About 20 minutes later, I get a text message with a new offer that made it extremely hard to say, ‘No.’”

A visit to the facility in Jupiter followed and Carlton could not walk away a second time.

“They made it really hard to say no,” said Carlton. “This is probably going to be the toughest decision of my life. I truly love it here. I wasn’t expecting this. I wasn’t looking for this.

“The only reason Rachel got my name was through Rapsodo, the technology (company) we use. She reached out to them and asked who are your brightest minds and they recommended me. I wasn’t hunting anything out. I wasn’t remotely thinking about anything else. It is one of those opportunities as a high school baseball coach that you never would have thought about.”

Shelbyville finished 14-14 last season and returns its top two starting pitchers in Gavyn Fisher and Aiden Smith.

Carlton has been the head coach at Shelbyville for six seasons. He amassed a 64-70 record over five contested seasons – the 2020 season was cancelled before it started due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to his hiring in 2017, Carlton won 40 games in three seasons at Attica, including capturing a sectional title in 2017.

In 2014, he led Morristown to a 19-7 mark just four years after he graduated from the northeastern Shelby County school.

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Shelbyville's Wilson selected to play in HBCA All-Star Game

Shelbyville senior Ava Wilson has been selected to play in the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association’s Annual All-Star Classic on April 7 at Washington High School.

Wilson averaged a team-leading 20.5 points, 1.9 assists and 3.8 steals per game for a 15-win Golden Bears team.

The fourth-leading scorer in Shelbyville girls basketball history, Wilson was selected to the East team.

Also on the East roster for the all-star game are Greensburg’s Carlee Adams, Seymour’s Journee Brown, Jennings County’s Alivia Elmore and Juliann Woodard, Indian Creek’s Lauren Foster and Faith Wiseman, Scottsburg’s Carrie Hiler, Jac-Cen-Del’s Reagan Hughes, New Washington’s Kaidin James, Lanesville’s Ava Kerr, Franklin County’s Nicole Mears, and Charlestown’s Maddie Nipper.

 

 

Named a West All-Star were Linton-Stockton’s Bradie Chambers, Washington’s Hayleigh Cummins, Vincennes Lincoln’s Arianna Gerkin, Gibson Southern’s Chloey Graham, Mooresville’s Rachel Harshman, Evansville Memorial’s Sophie Johnson and Avery Kelley, Southridge’s Maddux Marshall, Evansville North’s Vanessa Nankwenya, Castle’s Aleyna Quinn, Princeton’s Lexi Smith and Azaryon Wesley, and Evansville Central’s Mimi White.

Founded in 1986, Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association supports coaches in Southern Indiana.

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Shelbyville's Claxton named All-HHC

Shelbyville sophomore Caden Claxton has been selected to the Hoosier Heritage Conference’s All-Conference Boys Basketball Team.

The guard averaged a team-leading 14.3 points and 2.4 assists per game for the Golden Bears.

Twelve players were selected All-HHC.

Also honored were Delta’s D’Amare Hood (16.9 ppg, 5 rpg) and Jackson Wors (13.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Greenfield-Central’s Braylon Mullins (25 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Boston Willard (10.8 ppg, 4.8 apg), Mt. Vernon’s Julien Smith (14.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg), New Castle’s Colin Taylor (15 ppg), New Palestine’s Julius Gizzi (28.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg), Moses Haynes (11.2 ppg, 6.8 apg) and Ben Slagley (9.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Pendleton Heights’ Josiah Gustin (14.9 ppg, 2.4 apg), and Yorktown’s Kieran Tewari (14.9 ppg, 3 apg).

Greenfield-Central head coach Luke Meredith was named the HHC Coach of the Year.

Greenfield-Central was crowned HHC champion with a perfect 7-0 mark. The Cougars finished the season 24-1.

Mt. Vernon (15-9, 6-1 HHC) was runner-up ahead of New Palestine (22-5, 5-2 HHC), Delta (21-6, 3-4 HHC), Pendleton Heights (11-13, 3-4 HHC), New Castle (12-12, 2-5 HHC), Yorktown (14-11, 1-6 HHC) and Shelbyville (11-12, 1-6 HHC).

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Southwestern's Snepp, Shelbyville's Wilson receive Academic All-State honor

Seventy-six Indiana high school seniors – 38 boys and 38 girls – have been chosen as First Team Academic All-State for 2024 by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

In addition, 218 more boys and 204 more girls were recognized as honorable mention Academic All State, according to IBCA executive director Marty Johnson.

The IBCA Academic All-State program is one where academic prowess and athletic prowess are considered in the selections. Items such as grade-point average, academic class rank and SAT or ACT scores are considered along with academic performance in areas such as points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game.

“The quality of these student-athletes shows that success in academics and success in athletics are not separate entities,” said Johnson. “Rather, in many cases, a player’s success in the classroom directly contributes to his or her success on the floor.”

 

 

IBCA-member head coaches from schools across the state may nominate their senior student-athletes who meet criteria that include a 3.50 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale, a class rank in the upper 25% of one’s class and either an SAT score of 1,100 (on the reading and math sections) or an ACT composite score of 24.

Once nominations are received, an IBCA committee reviewed the information and determined awards for first team and honorable mention.

Those IBCA has selected an Academic All-State team for boys since 1973. The program was expanded to include a girls’ Academic All-State team in 1980.

Two Shelby County athletes were named First Team Academic All-State. Southwestern’s Carter Snepp (main photo) and Shelbyville’s Ava Wilson were honored for their hard work.

Snepp was Southwestern’s second-leading scorer this season and a finalist for the Lilly Endowment Scholarship.

Other notable boys selections were Whiteland’s Jazz Banwait, Roncalli’s Drew Kegerreis, East Central’s Dylan Maxwell, Yorktown’s Mason Moulton and Kieran Tawari, and New Castle’s Colin Taylor.

 

 

 

Wilson (photo) became the seventh Golden Bear to score 1,000 points in her career and graduates as the basketball program’s fourth all-time leading scorer (1,213 points).

Other notable girls selections were Monrovia’s Mary Cox, Speedway’s Alexandra DeLisle and Daniella Galvez, New Castle’s Emma Hart, Indianapolis Lutheran’s Grace King, Franklin County’s Nicole Mears, Mt. Vernon’s Ellery Minch, Oldenburg Academy’s Mary Ryan and Kate Weber, and Eastern Hancock’s Ruby White.

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Collegiate Update: IU South Bend captures second-straight CCAC Tournament title

Tenleigh Phelps scored 30 points and collected eight rebounds Saturday to lead Indiana University South Bend to a 91-87 victory over Olivet Nazarene University in the championship game of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Titans improved to 29-1 and earned their second-straight CCAC tournament title. Next up for IU South Bend is the NAIA National Tournament. The pairings for the tournament will be announced at 8 p.m. Thursday.

 

 

The Titans opened the conference tournament with a 77-60 win over St. Francis (Ill.) Tuesday. Phelps, a Triton Central graduate, had 25 points, four rebounds and four assists.

 

 

Lizzie Graham, also a Triton Central graduate, did not score for IU South Bend in limited minutes.

On Thursday, the Titans defeated IU Northwest, 77-66. Phelps had 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

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

 

 

Brooke Lipperd

The Shelbyville graduate delivered a grand slam Saturday for Franklin College that broke a 2-2 tie with Wilmington. The home run was the first for her collegiate career and Franklin went on to defeat the Quakers, 10-7, to improve to 7-1 this season.

 

 

Kylee Edwards

The Shelbyville graduate hit a pair of home runs as Mississippi State went 6-0 in the Bulldog Invitational in Starkville, Miss.

Edwards hit a grand slam in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Troy. She also had a double and turned two unassisted double plays from her shortstop position.

On Sunday, Edwards had a two-run home run in a 15-0 win over Alcorn State.

 

 

Karissa Hamilton

The Shelbyville graduate had hits in four games for Kentucky in the Queen City Classic in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Hamilton had a run-scoring double Saturday in Kentucky’s 8-0 win over Minnesota. She also had a single and scored a run in a 4-3 loss to Charlotte.

On Sunday, Hamilton had a single in a 10-8 loss to Fordham and a single in an 8-1 win over North Carolina Wilmington.

 

 

Katie Mathies

The Shelbyville graduate had two doubles and scored a run Sunday in DePauw softball’s 7-1 loss to Case Western Reserve in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia.

Mathies had a home run Thursday in DePauw’s season-opening loss to Central College, 10-9 in 10 innings. She also had a hit and scored a run Saturday in a 10-5 loss to Virginia Wesleyan.

DePauw finished the season-opening invitational 1-4.

 

 

Grant Kessler

The Morristown graduate made his collegiate debut Sunday in Mount St. Joseph’s 11-7 loss to Ohio Wesleyan in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kessler pitched in relief for the Lions and allowed three hits and one run before securing the final out of the top of the ninth inning.

 

 

Abby Eberhardt

The Triton Central graduate had a home run and drove in two runs Saturday in Manchester softball’s 21-0 win over Berea.

Eberhardt had a sacrifice fly RBI in Manchester’s game one 12-0 win over Berea.

 

 

Kristen Whitney

The Morristown graduate made her collegiate debut for Wilmington College (Ohio) Saturday in a pair of losses at Franklin College.

Whitney was inserted into game one as a pinch runner but did not score. Franklin College defeated the Quakers, 13-5.

In game two, Whitney appeared in a pinch-hit role in a 10-7 loss.

 

 

Morgan Stieneker and Erica Henry

Stieneker, a Shelbyville graduate, had three hits in a pair of losses for Indiana University Columbus Friday at Indiana Wesleyan.

Henry was the starting pitcher for IU Columbus and took the loss in game one that ended 21-1.

Henry pitched in relief in game two and had a single at the plate in a 10-2 loss.

 

 

Cory Taylor

The Shelbyville graduate had a triple, a home run and drove in two runs Saturday in Eastern Michigan’s 8-4 loss at Houston Christian.

In the four-game series opener Thursday, Taylor had a triple, two walks and a stolen base in a 14-4 victory.

The Eagles were swept in Saturday’s doubleheader, 6-5 and 4-0.

Eastern Michigan is 3-8 this season.

 

 

Maya Chandler

The Triton Central graduate scored seven points, collected six rebounds and had three assists, two steals and one blocked shot for SMU Wednesday in an 88-84 overtime win at Wichita State.

With her first point in the game, Chandler reached 1,000 career points.

On Saturday, Chandler finished with 11 points, one rebound, one steal and one block in SMU’s 91-73 loss at Tulsa.

SMU is 14-14 this season.

 

 

Olivia Faust

The Triton Central graduate had two points, three rebounds and one block Friday in Marian’s 107-60 semifinal round win over St. Francis (Ind.) in the Crossroads League Tournament.

The Knights are 29-1 this season.

Marian battles Indiana Wesleyan tonight in the tournament championship game.

 

 

Drake Moore

The Morristown graduate scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds and had three assists and one steal Friday in Oakland City’s 74-62 loss to Alice Lloyd College in the NCCAA Mid-East Regional.

Oakland City finished the season 7-22.

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Strong third quarter propels Eastern Hancock past Triton Central in sectional semifinal round

FAIRLAND – One of Triton Central’s worst quarters of the season led to its downfall Friday in the Class 2A, Sectional 42 semifinal round.

The Tigers missed all nine field goal attempts in the third quarter against Eastern Hancock and were outscored 15-2. A 27-24 halftime lead quickly disappeared and Triton Central never recovered in a 54-41 loss.

“That was fool’s good,” said Triton Central head coach Mark James of his team’s lead at halftime. “We were playing really well offensively but we were playing really bad on defense.

“We tried to talk to them about getting killed on the boards, not boxing out, and not helping right in a couple of positions and letting their shooters get their feet set.”

In the two teams’ regular-season meeting on Jan. 27, only one Royal scored in double digits and Eastern Hancock scored a season-low point total in a 48-28 loss.

On Friday at Triton Central, three different players scored in double digits and a fourth finished with nine points to propel Eastern Hancock into the sectional championship game.

Kayden Ruble had a team-high 17 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Eastern Hancock offense. Caiden Willis and Charlie Halcomb each scored 11 and Luke Schilling finished with nine.

Eastern Hancock shot 48% from the field and hit 7-of-16 three-point attempts.

“The last time we played them, (Willis) and (Halcomb) didn’t hardly score. I think they both got 11 on us (tonight),” said James. “That hurt bad.”

Silas Blair was aggressive early for Triton Central (16-7), scoring nine of his team-high 17 points in the first quarter. Four different Tigers scored in the second quarter and the lead grew to 26-15 with 2:48 to go in the half.

Willis answered with a score in the low post and was fouled. He converted the free throw. Luke Morris nailed a 3-pointer and Eli Manship put an offensive rebound in just before the halftime buzzer to get the Royals within three – and they were just getting started.

Triton Central’s only points in the third quarter were a pair of Eli Sego free throws late in the quarter. By then, Eastern Hancock opened up a 39-27 advantage.

“We went through a stretch where we couldn’t buy a bucket and that hurt us,” said James. “And they killed us on the boards. I knew before the game the boards were going to be a big deal. It seemed like every 50-50 ball they got.

“When you can’t hit shots I know that really plays with you mentally. I thought the kids played hard. We just didn’t hit shots.”

The Royals, who outrebounded Triton Central 25-18, had a 7-0 run early in the fourth quarter to close out the victory.

In Saturday’s sectional championship game, Irvington Prep defeated Eastern Hancock, 43-35. The Royals finished the season at 14-11.

Irvington Prep (16-9) will face Class 2A, No. 8 Park Tudor (19-5) at 4 p.m. Saturday in a regional championship game at Lebanon High School.

Triton Central will return its entire starting lineup next season. Graduation only takes Sam Kemper, who filled the sixth-man role for the Tigers this season.

“Sam is a great kid that worked really hard for us,” said James. “I am really happy he played this year. At one point in time he was thinking about not playing. He ended up being a big part of our team and doing good things for us off the bench. We have nothing but respect for him.”

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Prep Report: Morristown gymnast qualifies for IHSAA State Finals

With a season-best score on the balance beam Friday at the Franklin Central Regional, Remi Spicklemire became the first Morristown gymnast to qualify for the IHSAA State Finals since 2008.

Spicklemire’s routine scored 9.05 to earn her a fourth-place finish and a berth in the state championship meet. The top six finishers in each event advanced Friday from the regional competition.

Franklin Central’s Austyn Dykes won the balance beam competition with a 9.75. Martinsville’s Gabby Grubb (9.225) and Bloomington North’s Sofia Garcia (9.15) finished second and third, respectively, ahead of Spicklemire. Also qualifying for the state finals were Bloomington South’s Maddie Kawanishi (8.95) and Columbus North’s Reese Euler (8.925).

The IHSAA State Finals begin Saturday at 11 a.m. at Worthen Arena on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie.

In another prep event Friday:

Boys basketball

Edinburgh Sectional

Oldenburg Academy 58, Morristown 53

Morristown fell behind 20-10 after one quarter but dug in and fought till the end before finally being eliminated from the sectional tournament.

Connor Miles and Henry Wanstrath combined for 16 points in the opening quarter and had 16 points in the final quarter to finally fend off the Yellow Jackets.

Wanstrath had a game-high 22 points and Miles finished with 21 to get the Twisters into the Class A, Sectional 60 championship game against Jac-Cen-Del.

Kellen Crim made five three-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points for Morristown (5-19). Kane Snyder had 10 points and Colin Kieninger added eight.

In the sectional championship Saturday, Oldenburg Academy defeated Jac-Cen-Del, 47-36. The Twisters (13-11) will face No. 13 Greenwood Christian (17-7) this Saturday at 4 p.m. in the regional championship game at Martinsville High School.

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Mohawks' slow start ends with sectional loss to Jac-Cen-Del

EDINBURGH -- John Shaw was unsure why Waldron had such a poor first half Wednesday against Jac-Cen-Del at the Edinburgh Sectional. The result was a 29-13 halftime deficit.

Lucas Shaw, Waldron’s leading scorer, got more involved in the offense in the third quarter and the Mohawks started clawing their way back against the Eagles.

The deficit was down to 10 at the end of three quarters and an 8-0 run to the mid-point of the fourth quarter got Waldron within three, 43-40.

Clark Dwenger and Carson Hughes followed with back-to-back three-pointers to hold off the Mohawks’ surge and Brady Comer made six free throws in the game’s final minute to seal a 55-44 victory and a date in Friday’s semifinal round against South Decatur.

“First half, we came out with an energy I haven’t seen before this year. We were just dead,” said Waldron interim head coach John Shaw. “I don’t know if the moment was too big at the time or just those first shots didn’t fall and people didn’t know how to handle it.”

Comer finished with 19 points and seven rebounds to push Jac-Cen-Del’s record to 10-14. Wednesday’s win was the Eagles’ second win this season over Waldron (9-13). Dwenger finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.

The two seniors combined for 20 first-half points to lead Jac-Cen-Del to a quick double-digit lead.

Lucas Shaw had just two points on 1-of-4 shooting in the opening 16 minutes but capitalized on more opportunities in the third quarter which helped the Mohawks get back in the game.

“We were trying to get him to go hard but we weren’t cutting hard and getting open,” said coach Shaw. “They play a good man-to-man, sagging man-to-man (defense). They were cutting off all those dribble drives and we had to be willing to pull up and take the shot.”

Shaw had seven points in the third quarter but made just 1-of-4 free throws that added to his team’s 3-of-10 performance from the charity stripe in the opening three quarters.

“Uncharacteristic for us, especially Lucas,” said coach Shaw. “He is about an 80% free throw shooter and for him to short arm everything to start with was tough to see. We talk as coaches how those first free throws kind of dictate how you are going to be the rest of the game.”

Waldron closed out the third quarter on a 9-3 run to cut the lead to 36-26.

Jac-Cen-Del always seemed to find an answer when Waldron gained momentum. Brady Borgman opened the fourth quarter hitting a 3-pointer from the wing and the lead grew to 13.

Shaw scored on back-to-back possessions to get the lead under 10 and it was the junior that splashed a quick 3 from the top of the key following a Jac-Cen-Del turnover that punctuated the 8-0 run to the 4:21 mark that got the Mohawks within three points.

“I didn’t want us to exert all our energy right there,” said coach Shaw. “I knew it would go down to the wire. 

“We got them to shoot some 3s. The bad part was they made them. That was the killer.”

Dwenger drilled his second 3 of the game on the next possession and Waldron’s run finally stalled. The Eagles then spread the floor and put Waldron in chase mode.

Hughes then delivered the final knockout punch with a 3 from the wing in front of his team’s bench to make it 49-40 with 2:08 left in the clock.

Shaw scored 18 points in the second half and finished with a game-high 20 points. He also had six rebounds.

Will Larrison, another junior, had 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. Keith Settles, one of three seniors that played their final game for Waldron Wednesday, finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

John Shaw’s record as a head coach ends at 5-7. He was named interim coach in mid-January when David Corder resigned. He got the program to the sectional in good shape and now he will step aside to allow the school administration to find the program’s next head coach.

“It was exhausting for me because I’m not a teacher and I’m not in the school system,” he said. “I have another job and thankfully my partners at my business knew what I was doing and we’re on board with me.

“It was exhausting but I had a blast. If it wasn’t for that group of kids, I don’t think I would have jumped at the opportunity.”

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Golden Bears' season ends with sectional loss to Whiteland

ST. LEON – Wyatt McLaughlin was not going down without a fight.

Already without starting guard and leading scorer Jazz Banwait, who was out due to illness, McLaughlin took over Whiteland’s Sectional 14 opener in the second half against Shelbyville and carried his team to a 63-54 victory in the Class 4A, Sectional 14 opener for both teams.

The senior guard scored all 18 of his points in the second half Tuesday and never let the Golden Bears regain a lead they built to 23-19 midway through the second quarter.

“We did an excellent job in the first half of shutting down McLaughlin. He didn’t score,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett, “but he is a really good player and he was really tough to stop (in the second half).”

 

 

The Warriors led 17-11 after one quarter but Shelbyville went on a spirited 12-2 run to get the lead. However, the Golden Bears did not score again in the quarter after a Mar Nicholson basket with 3:23 left on the clock.

Whiteland scored the final seven points to take a 26-23 lead at halftime then added 6-0 and 7-0 runs in the third quarter to get the lead to double digits.

“We made some key mistakes and key turnovers that cost us late,” admitted Hartnett.

While McLaughlin struggled to hit free throws in the fourth quarter, he made all four of his field goal attempts and the Warriors shot 89% (8 of 9) from the field to keep the Golden Bears at bay.

Ethan Edwards finished with 15 points for Whiteland (15-10). Gavin Stubbe had 14 points and five rebounds. And Akol Akol added nine points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

The Warriors advanced to Friday’s semifinal round where they will face Franklin (16-4). The two teams split a pair of games this season. In the semifinal opener Friday, the host, East Central (11-13), will take on Columbus East (7-16), a 41-33 winner Tuesday over Columbus North.

 

 

Nicholson (photo) finished with a game-high 20 points for Shelbyville (11-12). Caden Claxton had 13 and Luke Brinkman came off the bench to collect eight points, seven rebounds and two assists.

The strongest part of Shelbyville’s schedule came in the final month and it showed. The Golden Bears were 11-6 after a 67-50 win at Speedway on Jan. 26.

The program finished the season with six straight losses but with an improved win total for the second straight season after winning five games two years ago and 10 games last season.

“It was a good year and a good start for us. This just shows our guys where the program can go,” said Hartnett. “We were 11-6 at one point then played some of top teams around at the end of our schedule but that made us better going into tournament time.”

 

 

The program graduates five seniors – Brinkman, Kohen Myers, Ethan Lambert, Kyle Clouse and Brock Kuhn. Damon Badgley (photo) and Kenny Owens, who was on the junior varsity roster this season but dressed with the varsity Tuesday, will be the only seniors next season.

“Badgley has to accept a new role next year and that is a being a leader,” said Hartnett. “He will be the senior captain next year and followed along with (current sophomores) Caden Claxton, Mar Nicholson, Cole Schene, Brody Runnebohm and Gavin Reed that will help contribute. We will be talented. I am really excited to see what we can do the next two years.”

Shelbyville’s three leading scorers this season were Claxton (14.3 ppg), Nicholson (13.4 ppg) and Badgley (8 ppg).

Steve Bush photos

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Morristown tops Southwestern for third time this season, eliminates Spartans from sectional

Southwestern could not find an answer for Morristown all season.

On Tuesday in the opening game of the Edinburgh Sectional, the Spartans rolled out to a 19-12 lead after one quarter but could not hold off the Yellow Jackets, who hit seven three-pointers over the final three quarters to secure their third win over the Spartans this season.

Kane Snyder hit four 3s and scored a team-high 16 points to help Morristown advance with a 66-51 victory. Brayden Keithley scored 15 points and Kellen Crim finished with 13 to get the Yellow Jackets a semifinal round game at Class A, Sectional 60 Friday against Oldenburg Academy (11-11).

Mitchell Clements and Michael Clements each hit two 3s in the opening quarter to stake Southwestern to a 7-point lead at the first break.

Five different Yellow Jackets scored in the second quarter to get them into the lead, 31-28, at halftime.

The two rivals traded baskets in the third quarter with Morristown holding a 46-43 advantage going into the final quarter.

The Spartans (3-18) scored just eight points in the final eight minutes and Morristown (5-18) made 10-of-14 free-throw attempts to seal the program’s first sectional game victory since 2021.

Ben Kahler scored a game-high 22 points to lead Southwestern. Mitchell Clements finished with 12 points.

Carter Snepp, Southwestern’s lone senior, scored seven points in his final game.

The Edinburgh Sectional continues tonight with two quarterfinal round contests.

In the opener, Jac-Cen-Del (9-14) takes on Waldron (9-12) at 6 p.m. GIANT fm (96.5 fm, 1520 am, GIANT fm app) will broadcast the game. The pre-game show starts at 5:30 p.m.

In the second game, the host Lancers (11-10) battle South Decatur (10-13). The winners of both Wednesday games return to Edinburgh Friday for a 7:30 p.m. semifinal contest.

Morristown will seek a better outcome Friday in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. against Oldenburg Academy after suffering a 64-46 loss on Nov. 28 to the Twisters.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page

Collegiate Update: Faust, Marian capture Crossroads League Championship

With a 68-65 win over No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan Saturday, Marian’s women’s basketball team secured its 10th Crossroads League championship and the top seed in the postseason tournament.

The win was the 25th consecutive for the Knights (27-1, 18-0 Crossroads League).

On Wednesday, Marian collected win No. 26 in a 72-42 victory over Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio).

 

 

Triton Central graduate Olivia Faust had three points, one rebound and one assist for Marian.

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

 

 

Maya Chandler

The Triton Central graduate had 11 points, six rebounds and one assist Saturday in SMU’s 74-64 loss to East Carolina.

The Mustangs are 13-13 this season and 7-8 against their American Athletic Conference opponents.

 

 

Kyle Crim

The Morristown graduate finished with seven points, two rebounds and seven assists Friday to help Hanover upset No. 2 seed Transylvania, 78-64, in the semifinal round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament in Anderson.

On Saturday, top-seed Anderson ended the Panthers season in a 90-73 tournament-championship victory.

Hanover finished the season 18-10.

 

 

Taylor Heath

The Triton Central graduate scored 14 points and added two rebounds, three assists and one steal to her stat line Friday in Hanover’s 69-57 loss to Mount St. Joseph in its HCAC Tournament opener.

The Panthers closed out their season with an 18-8 record.

Earlier in the week, Heath earned her third First Team All-HCAC honor. She led the conference in assists per game at 5.0.

 

 

Drake Moore

The Morristown graduate had nine points and four rebounds Saturday in Oakland City’s 87-68 loss to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Oakland City is 7-21.

 

Tenleigh Phelps and Lizzie Graham

The Triton Central graduates helped IU South Bend clinch the best regular-season record in school history Saturday in a 109-61 win over Judson University.

Phelps finished with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists. Graham had two points and one assist.

The Titans improved to 27-1 overall and 19-1 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings.

 

 

Zaleeya Martin

The Shelbyville graduate placed sixth in the 60 meters (7.85 seconds) and 17th in the 200 (26.6) for the University of Indianapolis at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Fall Creek Pavilion Saturday and Sunday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

 

 

Allison Batten

The Morristown graduate finished 14th in the 400 (1:08) for Trine University Saturday in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Indoor Championships.

The event was hosted by Trine in Angola, Indiana.

 

 

Kina Schultz

The Shelbyville graduate placed sixth in the 60 hurdles (9.7) for Muskingum in the Ohio Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in New Concord, Ohio.

HCAC Indoor Track and Field Championships

 

 

Ava Ruschhaupt

The Shelbyville graduate placed 19th in the 60 meters (9.58) Saturday for Franklin College in Terre Haute.

 

 

Alison Muck

The Southwestern graduate finished second in the 60 hurdles (9.61) and fifth in the high jump (1.47 meters) for Franklin.

 

 

Bailey Stamper

The Triton Central graduate placed 14th in the shot put (9.20 meters) for Franklin.

 

 

Madalyn Hudnall

The Waldron graduate finished third in the shot put (11.87 meters) and set a new personal best in throwing 12.59 meters in the weight throw to finish eighth for Mount St. Joseph.

 

 

Brayden Basey

The Shelbyville graduate had three hits including a double, scored four runs, stole two bases and drove in two runs in Trine baseball’s three-game series at Anderson University.

Basey had two hits, two RBI and scored three runs Sunday in Trine’s 21-17 win over the Ravens – the first of the season for the program.

 

Morgan Stieneker and Erica Henry

Indiana University Columbus softball opened its season Sunday with a doubleheader loss to Calumet College at Ceraland Park in Columbus.

Stieneker, a Shelbyville graduate, had a run-scoring single and stole a base in a 17-6 loss.

In game two, Calumet prevailed 25-3. Stieneker had a hit and scored a run.

Henry, also a Shelbyville graduate, had a hit and drove in a run for IU Columbus. She also took the loss as the starting pitcher in the game.

 

 

Cory Taylor

The Shelbyville graduate had hits in the first two games of Eastern Michigan’s three-game series at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville.

In the opener Friday, Taylor had a hit and a walk, stole a base and scored a run in Eastern Michigan’s 11-8 loss.

Eastern Michigan won game two, 7-4, then dropped the series finale Sunday, 3-1.

The Eagles are 2-5 this season.

 

 

Charlie Rife

The Shelbyville graduate had two hits and a walk for Bellarmine Friday in a 20-3 loss at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

Bellarmine was swept in the three-game series to fall to 1-6 this season.

 

 

Karissa Hamilton

The Shelbyville graduate had hits in three of the five games for the University of Kentucky at the Wings Etc. Classic in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The Wildcats (11-2) opened the event with a 7-3 win Friday over Akron and a 9-0 win over the host, the University of South Carolina Upstate.

On Saturday, Kentucky defeated Monmouth, 6-1, and Akron, 7-5. Hamilton had a hit and a walk and scored a run in the second victory over the Zips.

Kentucky closed out the invitational Sunday with an 11-6 win over USC Upstate. Hamilton had a hit and a walk, scored a run and drove in a run.

 

 

Kylee Edwards

Mississippi State, who entered the top 25 rankings last week, finished 3-2 at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California.

On Thursday, Mississippi State defeated Central Florida, 2-1, and Notre Dame, 7-4. Edwards, a Shelbyville graduate, had two hits including a solo home run and drove in two runs against Notre Dame.

Mississippi State lost to top-ranked Oklahoma Friday, 9-3.

Edwards had two hits, stole a base and scored a run Saturday in the Bulldogs’ 4-2 win over Cal State Fullerton.

Fresno State defeated Mississippi State, 3-1, later that day.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed. Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email by visiting shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

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