Kahler hits milestone mark in Southwestern's win at historic Hoosier Gym

KNIGHTSTOWN – Ben Kahler became the eighth Southwestern boys basketball player to reach 1,000 career points on a night he will never forget.

The senior arrived at the historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown Tuesday needing 29 points to reach the mark. He got there with a made free throw with 6:20 to go in the fourth quarter.

Less than 20 seconds later, Kahler scored again to give the Spartans a 62-40 lead and head coach Chris Ingels called timeout to let Kahler know he accomplished the feat. Kahler was stunned, not knowing he was that close, and rushed to the stands to celebrate with family and friends.

“I didn’t even know it was 29 points,” said Kahler after the game on GIANT fm’s radio broadcast. “I thought it was in the 40s. I didn’t think I was going to get it (tonight).”

Southwestern defeated Knightstown in the historic venue, home of the fictional Hickory Huskers in the movie “Hoosiers,” 72-52 to improve to 8-11 after starting the season 0-5.

Kahler (photo) finished with 33 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. He now has 1,004 career points and could surpass Aiden Hartsell (1,051 points) and Rick Parmer (1,077) before the regular season ends later this month.

“I think it’s so cool,” said Kahler of reaching the mark at such a unique venue. “This is probably the best place I could have gotten it all year. It’s really cool.”

After missing his first three-point attempt, Jace Patterson made five straight to finish with 21 points. He also had six rebounds.

Aaron Mefford led Knightstown (2-16), losers of three straight, with 11 points. Derius Moore had four points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

Kahler’s night started imperfectly, earning two quick fouls. Ingels opted to leave him in the game and he helped the Spartans build a 13-7 lead before heading to the bench. A quick four points by the Panthers brought Kahler back to the floor.

Kahler was part of an 8-3 run in the second quarter that extended the Spartans’ 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter to 25-18. A 7-0 run near the end of the first half gave Southwestern an 8-point lead before Lucas Stanley hit a 3 in the quarter’s final seconds.

Patterson (photo, far right) hit a trio of 3s in the third quarter to help the Spartans put together 10-0 and 6-0 runs to open a 55-38 lead going into the fourth.

“Our guys are starting to believe in themselves a little bit,” said Ingels. “They are seeing shots fall and it’s starting to be contagious.”

Kahler scored nine of his team’s first 12 points of the fourth quarter, including the milestone free throw.

“Ben has outworked everybody all season long,” said Ingels (photo, far left). “He has lived in the gym. He put his own workouts together shooting, working off the dribble and he worked on his quickness and his strength.

“He has come such a long way. I am so proud of him for what he is doing for us and getting his 1,000^th point tonight.”

After getting outrebounded 12-7 in the opening quarter, the Spartans won the rebound battle 31-27. And they made 14-of-24 shots in the second half to finish shooting 46% from the field.

Southwestern won the junior varsity game 36-26. Jay Utley led the Spartans with 10 points. Dusty Stevens and James Oliver each had eight points.

Southwestern returns home Friday to host North Decatur (11-11). The Southwestern Athletic Boosters announced Wednesday there will be no admission charge for students attending the game. Every student in the cheer block will receive a free T-shirt.

The remainder of the schedule includes road games Monday at MTI Knowledge (4-12) and Tuesday at Oldenburg Academy (11-7).

The Spartans’ regular-season finale is Feb. 28 against Anderson Prep (15-5).

Notes: The 1,000-point scorers in Southwestern history are Ryan Rooks (1,793 points), Bryce Rowe (1,452), Travis Kuhn (1,277), David Hamilton (1,198), Anick Hartsell (1,175), Rick Parmer (1,077), Aiden Hartsell (1,051) and Ben Kahler (1,004). … The IHSAA State Pairings Show is Sunday at 6 p.m. Southwestern will compete in Class A, Sectional 59 at Edinburgh High School with North Decatur (11-11), Edinburgh (9-11), Tri (12-7), Waldron (11-9), Morristown (8-12), South Decatur (5-15) and Knightstown (2-16). The Spartans are 3-6 against potential sectional opponents this season.

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