Physical Seymour defense stifles Shelbyville

SEYMOUR – Class 3A, No. 13 Shelbyville has learned from every loss this season. To have any success in the upcoming Sectional 28 tournament, the Golden Bears must learn to handle a physical defensive effort better to finish off an opponent.

On Tuesday, Shelbyville recovered from falling behind by seven points midway through the second quarter but could not do it again in the fourth and lost, 51-42.

For the second time in 11 days, the Golden Bears were held to a season-low 42 points.

“This was a game that we put on the schedule at the end of the year for a reason. It’s to toughen us up for the sectional,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “That is a very tough Seymour team we just played. I don’t think our guys at the beginning of the game were really ready for how physical the game was going to get and how strong their defense really is.”

The Owls (15-6) entered the game allowing just 40 points per game and had not allowed more than 58 points in a game all season.

“When you are down five points to these guys it’s almost like being down double that,” said Hartnett. “Every possession counts on the defensive end, especially when you convert offensively. You have to get stops. You have to secure rebounds. That is something we didn’t do, especially late in the game.”

A quick response to a 15-8 deficit in the second quarter got the Golden Bears squared up with Seymour at halftime.

Shelbyville led just twice in the second half after senior Jaylan Johnson took control running the Owls’ offense. The power forward either found an open teammate for a good look or rumbled to the rim and converted to get his team a 32-29 lead after three quarters which Shelbyville never recovered from.

Seymour’s leading scorer was silenced in the first half but erupted for 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the final two quarters.

“Jaylan is a good player – a big, strong guy that is hard to keep out of the paint,” said Hartnett. “He makes this team go around.”

Michael Brooks hit an 8-foot jumper with 1:58 to go to give Seymour (15-6) a 44-40 lead and Brady Harpe followed just 17 seconds later with a corner 3-pointer that all but sealed the victory.

Brooks, who led all scorers with 17 points, and Harpe, 13 points, converted 4-of-6 free throws in the final 81 seconds to stave off the Golden Bears, who fell to 17-6.

Five of Shelbyville’s six losses this season have come to teams with at least 15 wins – the other loss is to Greenwood (13-10).

Caden Claxton led Shelbyville with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. Brody Runnebohm scored 11 points to match Mar Nicholson’s point total.

Seymour won the junior varsity game, 42-36 after outscoring the Golden Bears 13-5 in the fourth quarter. Nick Fischer led Shelbyville (6-13) with 10 points. Austin Martzall finished with nine.

Shelbyville will end its regular season schedule Thursday at Batesville (13-8) before focusing on its sectional opener at Garrett Gymnasium on March 5 against Indianapolis Roncalli (14-7).

“We look forward to this time of the year and we are always trying to prepare for the sectional,” said Hartnett. “As much as it stinks losing this game to Seymour, it will definitely help us in the long run.”

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