Morristown captures Hoosier Shooting Academy Holiday Tournament championship

MORRISTOWN – Morristown scored first and never trailed in defeating Western Boone, 57-48, Saturday night in the championship game of the Hoosier Shooting Academy Holiday Tournament.

Kellen Crim and Colin Kieninger combined to score 36 points and frustrated the Stars every time the momentum appeared to be switching sides. The pair shot 13 of 28 from the field (46%), Crim hit three three-pointers and Kieninger, one of four seniors that played in the championship game, pulled down a game-high nine rebounds to lead the Yellow Jackets to their third-straight win.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start even though Colin picked up two fouls early that kind of killed the momentum there, but it was good for our guys to jump to an early lead and see this can be ours to win if we can keep this up,” said Morristown head coach Cory Kreiger.

The Yellow Jackets (4-4) scored the game’s first seven points and built a double-digit lead just before halftime. That lead grew to 15 points (44-29) by the end of the third quarter and a Crim layin just 13 seconds into the fourth gave the hosts their biggest lead of the game, 46-29.

The Stars (2-7) shot just 38% from the field in the first three quarters and committed 11 turnovers. But a Jaden Latham 3 from the corner sparked a 9-0 run that kept the game close.

A Gavin Hawkins steal led to an easy layin. Lathan hit 1 of 2 free throws and Tristyn Faulk splashed a 3 from the wing to cut Morristown’s lead to 46-38 with 5:20 to go.

Following a timeout, Morristown went right back to Kieninger in the low post for an easy score and Crim added a top of the key 3 with just over three minutes to go to reestablish a double-digit lead at 52-41.

With a better free-throw shooting performance in the game’s final three minutes, the outcome would have come easier. Morristown made just 6-of-12 free throws in the final quarter but never saw the Stars get any closer than eight points.

“I am proud of the boys for how they were able to finish,” said Kreiger. “(Western Boone) hit some shots in the fourth quarter but they stayed tough and stayed together to the end and got the win.”

Crim led Morristown with 20 points and five assists. Kieninger had 16 points on 7 of 11 shooting. Dalton McMichael hit a pair of 3s and had eight points. Brayden Keithley finished with seven points and six rebounds.

“We talked before the game about we haven’t won a championship … any championship … county tourney, holiday tournament, sectional championship in a long time,” said Kreiger. “This was our opportunity to win a championship and give us momentum going into the county tournament in two weeks and try to get another one.”

Hawkins led Western Boone with 13 points, three rebounds and four steals. Burke Cavins hit three 3s for nine points. Faulk finished with six points and eight rebounds.

Western Boone reached the championship game with a 57-54 win over Tri-Central.

Tri-Central defeated Indianapolis Herron, 69-55, in the consolation game Saturday. The Trojans are 5-3 this season.

Herron finished 0-2 in the tournament to fall to 1-10. The Achaeans lost to Morristown, 66-40, in the first game Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets trailed 26-25 at halftime then scored 30 points in the third quarter to take control. Crim made six 3s in the 8-minute span and finished with 29 points.

“They had us down at halftime, just us making mistakes and not finishing around the basket and giving up some offensive rebounds and easy looks to them,” said Kreiger. “We made some adjustments at halftime, knowing who we are and what we are capable of, and we came out in the third quarter like a completely new team.”

Jaden Parker led Herron with 13 points.

For Morristown to be a Sectional 59 title contender, it will need a solid performance Friday at Tri (6-1). The Yellow Jackets are now tied with Waldron (4-5) for the second most wins in the sectional field as the 2024 calendar year comes to an end.

“This group is just a blast to coach,” said Kreiger. “They love each other. They enjoy being around each other. They have to stay connected at all times and when we are all connected, we are pretty good. And when we are not, we are not very good.”

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