Shelbyville holds off Rushville in Sectional 28 opener

TRAFALGAR – Shelbyville never trailed but never truly felt comfortable against a pesky Rushville squad Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of Class 3A, Sectional 28 at Indian Creek High School.

The Golden Bears led 15-10 after one quarter but the Lions scored the first five points of the second quarter to tie the game – the only time that occurred.

Shelbyville followed that with a 7-0 run and outscored its opponent 19-10 through the end of the quarter.

Rushville climbed back as close as three points in the game’s final minute, but Shelbyville hit 9 of 14 free throws in the final quarter to seal a 52-46 victory.

The win improved Shelbyville to 14-10 this season and sets up a rematch with an opponent it defeated earlier this season – New Palestine. The Dragons (11-11) rolled over Greenwood, 51-23, Wednesday in the second quarterfinal game.

Shelbyville defeated New Palestine, 42-38, on Dec. 10. The two teams will meet again at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Indian Creek following the first semifinal game between Indianapolis Roncalli (14-8) and Beech Grove (12-11).

Hannah Baker led the Golden Bears with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Jayla Ash finished with 14 points and four rebounds.

“It was gritty one and it wasn’t pretty but we will take it,” said Shelbyville head coach Becca Hoefler.

The Lions (7-18) stayed close with a strong performance shooting the ball from long range. Trisha Morgan made five three-pointers, including a pair in the third quarter when Rushville started pressuring the Golden Bears.

Morgan, a senior, and junior guard Carly Senour each scored 16 points for a Lions squad that lost its final 11 games.

Morgan and Senour combined to hit eight 3s in the loss.

“I think this is one of their best shooting percentages of the year (44% from the arc),” said Hoefler. “It makes sense. They are gamers. We were ready for them, but I wish we would have covered out a little better.”

The long-range shooting of Rushville led to long rebounds and the Lions held a 23-14 edge in that category after three quarters.

“That is where we are losing Reese (Fortune),” said Hoefler of her team’s junior center, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in the regular-season finale win over North Decatur. “We were really lacking on the defensive rebounding.”

Baker had nine points, three rebounds and seven assists by halftime to help her team to a 34-25 advantage.

“I trust her completely with the ball. She can do whatever she wants with it,” said Hoefler of her team’s captain.

With Fortune out, junior guard Sophia Asher was inserted into the action early and contributed three points, one rebound, one steal and four assists by halftime.

“She came off the bench and was ready to roll for us,” said Hoefler with a smile.

Rushville outscored Shelbyville 9-5 in the third quarter to cut the lead to five. Again, the Golden Bears responded with a 5-0 run to start the fourth for a 44-34 lead.

A 10-4 run by the Lions came with Senour hitting a 3, Audrey Angle scoring in the low post, Makenna Ripberger scoring off an offensive rebound and Morgan hitting a corner 3.

Time was on Shelbyville’s side, though. Morgan’s final trifecta came with 55 seconds on the clock and cut the lead to 47-44.

Rushville targeted Savannah Collins to send to the free-throw line and she delivered on 5 of 6 attempts to seal the win.

Shelbyville delivered back-to-back 15-win seasons leading into this year. Now the current Golden Bears are one win from matching that and one win from playing for a sectional championship.

“This means we can settle down a little bit. We have the one sectional game experience and now we have to be ready for Friday’s game,” said Hoefler.

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