Terre Haute South Braves | Archive | February, 2009

Well, it is that time of year. The pairings have been
released for the storied state basketball tournament. So, let’s take a deep
breath and see how the ping-pong balls treated teams in the MIC

The obvious place to start is Sectional 10 at Indianapolis
Arlington. This field includes three MIC schools including state ranked
Lawrence North and North Central. Greg Graham’s athletic Warren central Warriors are also in the mix. On
paper, this is one of the most balanced draws in the state. The action will
start quickly. North Central, currently #4 in 4A, faces 16-2 Cathedral in the
opening game on Tuesday evening. However, the winner of that classic showdown
appears to have caught a bit of a break in the second round. They will face the
Lawrence Central Bears who currently stand 7-9. In the bottom of the bracket, Lawrence
North gets an 8-9 Broad ripple squad to start, but things will get tougher from
there. Warren Central and Arlington
will battle to see who the Wildcats would play in round two. The bottom line
here is that the much anticipated showdown between North Central and Lawrence
North would happen where it should, in the championship game.

Carmel
fans are smiling. The Greyhounds avoided many of the land mines in the
Noblesville Sectional. They are in the top half of the bracket where they face
an eight win Westfield
team and Fishers, with 10 wins, waits in the second round. Meanwhile, the two
teams that appear to be Carmel’s
biggest challengers, Zionsville and Hamilton Southeastern, are in the lower
half of the bracket and headed for a semi-final clash.

Center Grove received good news and bad news. The good news
is the Trojans open versus a five win Perry Meridian team. The bad news is
Franklin Central awaits the winner. Southport
looks to be the best in the lower half of the bracket.

Things certainly went well for an improving Ben Davis team. The Giants open versus a hapless Indianapolis Manual squad and would then face Avon in the semi-finals of the Pike Sectional. They would not see defending state champion Brownsburg or Pike until the championship game.

Finally, the Terre
Haute schools head into the sectional that the
favorite seemingly never wins. This year it will be held at Terre Haute North.
The highly regarded Terre Haute South Braves drew a bye and will face the
winner of the Plainfield-Northview game. That has to be considered a good path
to the finals. Meanwhile, Terre Haute North will face a quality Mooresville
team in the opener. The Pioneers won the regular season battle by 12 points in
December. If the Patriots survive that collision, they would see Martinsville in the
second round.

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Hoosier Authority Summary

The MIC advanced eleven wrestlers through to the State Finals this coming weekend at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. In the process, four conference grapplers earned semi-state championships. Lawrence North led the way for MIC schools, advancing four wrestlers and crowning two champions.

The performance was strong, but a little disappointing for the MIC. The rival conferences in central Indiana fared slightly better. The Hoosier Crossroads also advanced 11 wrestlers and Conference Indiana took top honors by advancing 15 individuals to the finals.

Brandon Nelson – Lawrence North – 2nd – 112lbs. – New Castle Semi-State
Cashe Quiroga – Lawrence North – Champion – 125lbs. – New Castle
Will Nascaro – Carmel – Champion – 135lbs. – New Castle
Forrest Romer – Ben Davis – 3rd – 135lns. – New Castle
Matt Goodwin – Lawrence North – 4th – 145lbs. – New Castle
Bryce Grimes – Lawrence North – Champion – 171lbs. – New Castle
Mike Smith – North Central – 4th – 171lbs. – New Castle
Michael Johnson-Jones – Warren Central – 3rd – 189lbs. – New Castle
Gabriel Berry – Warren Central – Champion – 215lbs. – New Castle
Phelan Montgomery – Terre Haute South – 4th – 145lbs. – Evansville Reitz Semi-State
Shelby Mappes – Center Grove – 3rd – 171lbs. – Evansville Reitz

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By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor

PLAINFIELD – The stars, it seems, aligned once again for Sectional 13 – the one that the favorite, no matter what the sport, seems to never win – in the opening round of Class 4A postseason play at Plainfield.

(TO CHECK OUT SOME FANTASTIC PICTURES FROM THE GAME BY OUR OWN MARK GRICIUS, CLICK HERE!!)

The temperature at game time was an even 60 degrees, on the 10th day of February, for this six-team postseason affair that features three schools near the southwestside of Indianapolis and three schools from the Terre Haute area. Game 1 pitted a pair of 18-1 titans in third-ranked Terre Haute South and No. 7 Mooresville.

Thus it was a surprise to no one that the Sectional 13 troll up and bit the higher-ranked team. After leading 34-30 at halftime, Terre Haute South got blitzkrieged by a scorching two-pronged shooting effort from Mooresville as the Pioneers came back for the 72-64 upset win.

Then again, are there really ever any upsets in this wacky sectional? After all, the two teams came in separated by only six points in the Sagarin power ratings, and you can knock that on-paper advantage in half as this was virtually a Mooresville home game (the Pioneers hail from just a few miles south of Plainfield on State Road 267).

But enough spooky sectional speculation. When it came down to it, Terre Haute South simply had no answer for Mooresville’s third-quarter shooting (baskets on seven of its first eight possessions in the period, part of an 18-8 run over 6:16) nor the Pioneers’ fourth-quarter free throwing (14 of 18 over the final eight minutes).

Um, then there was the karma that found its way firmly on the Mooresville side. How else could you possibly explain back-to-back four-point plays – 1 of 2 from the foul line with a diving offensive rebound leading to a 3-pointer from forward Aerial Clark, a three from sophomore guard Jama Sharp and her subsequent free throw after she was decked on the shot – in the final period by the Pioneers?

It did not help matters for the Braves that senior sparkplug forward Krista Smith was saddled with foul trouble, eventually fouling out with 57.8 seconds to play and her Terre Haute South team trailing by four at 64-60.

Classmate Dragana Grbic tried her best to pick up the slack as the 6’3” center scored a team-high 24 points. And senior forward Tessa Johnson certainly assisted offensively with another 20 markers.

But that was chicken feed compared with Mooresville’s second-half effort that culminated with Sharp’s game-high 25 points and another 22 from 6’1” junior center Meagan Callaway.

Mooresville will have three days off before battling … defending sectional champion Martinsville (9-10) in the sectional’s first semifinal. The Pioneers, who won at Martinsville 70-58 way back on Nov. 26, best not pay attention to that record if they hope to survive this sectional.

In Game 2, Terre Haute North (8-12) spotted Northview (10-10) an early 6-0 lead before roaring back to take control in a 60-45 victory. A series of runs lifted Terre Haute North to the victory, its second over Northview this season (the Patriots also won Jan. 17 by double digits, 76-62).

(TO CHECK OUT SOME FANTASTIC PICTURES FROM THE GAME BY OUR OWN MARK GRICIUS, CLICK HERE!!)

The first spurt came in a span covering the last 2:40 of the initial period and the first 3:15 of the second as Terre Haute North responded to that 6-0 deficit with an 18-5 run. Northview narrowed the gap to four before trailing by seven at the half, 25-18.

After a pair of 3-pointers by the Knights drew them within three at 27-24 just under 90 seconds in to the second half, Terre Haute North again answered the call. Paced by a fantastic third-quarter offensive flurry from guard Lindy Jones (13 points in the period), the Patriots blew the game open with a run of 18-0 over 4:34 that made it 45-24 before Northview rallied with seven points over the last 82 seconds of the third.

But the damage was done. When Terre Haute North extended its 47-31 lead after three with a 3-point bomb from guard Kelly Meggs to start the fourth, the Patriots knew they’d be facing 4A fifth-ranked Plainfield (18-1) Feb. 13 in the sectional’s second semifinal.

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The
competition gets tougher, and the field begins to thin. Nonetheless, MIC
schools had a more than respectable showing in individual regional action this
past weekend. Conference schools advanced a total of 35 wrestlers to semi-state
action next Saturday and crowned 11 Regional Champions. Seven of the eight MIC
schools will be represented this coming Saturday. Only Terre Haute North got
shut out at the regional level.

The parade
is led by Lawrence North. The Wildcats qualified seven wrestlers through the
Pendleton heights Regional, including three champions. Carmel was close behind.
They pushed seven people through at North Montgomery, including two champions.

Elsewhere,
Center Grove advanced six wrestlers through at Mooresville. The Trojans claimed
one title. Warren Central qualified five at Perry Meridian and had two winners.
North Central advanced four at Heights with one champion, and Ben Davis got
three folks through at Perry Meridian and also crowned one champion. Terre
Haute South advanced three wrestlers through the Bloomington South Regional
with one title.

Here is a
list of the individuals from MIC schools who claimed regional titles.

Pat
Parnham-Carmel-103 lbs.-North Montgomery Regional

Will
Mascaro-Carmel-135 lbs.-North Montgomery

Brandon
Nelsen-Lawrence North-112 lbs.-Pendleton Heights Regional

Cashe Quiroga-Lawrence
North-125 lbs.-Pendleton Heights

Bryce
Grimes-Lawrence North-171 lbs.-Pendleton Heights

Michael
Johnson-Jones-Warren Central-189 lbs.-Perry meridian Regional

Gabriel
Berry-Warren Central-215 lbs.-Perry Meridian

Forrest
Romer-Ben Davis-135 lbs.-Perry Meridian

Ethan
Cueves-North Central-215 lbs.-Pendleton Heights

Matt
Adams-Center Grove-125 lbs.Mooresville Regional

Jordan
Jensen-Terre haute South-119 lbs.-Bloomington South Regional

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Mike Mcgraw

Hoosier Authority

It is sectional week, and for the MIC that means a number of
celebrations should be right around the corner. At least four conference
schools head into tourney play with legitimate hopes of a sectional crown, and
a good argument could be made for a fifth.

Obviously, we need to start at Ben Davis where the #1 ranked
Giants begin tourney play. Ben Davis opens with Indianapolis Manual on Tuesday
evening. The only serious challenge in this field could be Decatur Central and
the Giants will not see the Hawks until the final. By that time, it is a safe
bet Ben Davis will leave a “giant” footprint on the Hawks.

The huge challenge this week faces defending State Champion
Carmel. The 15-win Greyhounds open Tuesday versus Noblesville. After that,
things get really daunting. A Westfield team with 16 wins on the year waits in
the semi-finals. If Carmel can clear that hurdle, they will likely see the
winner of the Hamilton Southeastern-Fishers game from the other side of the
bracket. Both of those teams have at least 18 wins and are highly ranked in the
state. Carmel is very good. However, this draw is asking an awful lot out of
the greyhounds.

Three MIC teams will enter play at Lawrence North. Warren
Central (15-6) probably has the easiest path. The Warriors open with
Indianapolis Broad Ripple and then would see Cathedral in the second round. Meanwhile,
Lawrence North (12-8) will open versus league rival North Central (7-12). Look
for an all MIC final in this one between the Warriors and Wildcats. We make no
guess as to who comes out of that war standing.

Center Grove will face a tough Franklin team in the opening
round at Whiteland. You never count out the Trojans, but Franklin got the
better of the regular season contest. Either way, you can bet that Perry
meridian will be waiting in the finals. Our guess is the Falcons fly high on
Saturday night.

Terre Haute South has only one loss this year. That was last
week to bend avis in a great contest. Nonetheless, the Braves will be severely
tested right out of the box Tuesday night. They face a one-loss Mooresville
team in the opening game. If they pass that test, you can bet Plainfield will
be waiting in the finals. Want to take a guess on who gave Mooresville the one
loss? Still, our prediction is that South will cut down the nets on Saturday
night.

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By Jeff Hodge
Contributing Writer

INDIANAPOLIS – The Feb. 6 Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference clash between Class 4A sixth-ranked Terre Haute South and host Ben Davis was a game of runs by both teams. But in the end, the visiting Braves’ dominance from the free throw line and behind the 3-point stripe was the difference in a 78-73 overtime win.

Terre Haute South (15-2, 5-1 MIC) was looking for its first-ever win at Ben Davis. That’s quite a statement for a tradition-rich school that’s seen standouts such as Cam Cameron, Brian Evans, Steve Hart, and Armon Basset roam the hardwood.

And that prospect looked good when the Braves jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. But the Giants (4-10, 1-5) went on an 11-6 run to end the first quarter down just 13-11. Terre Haute South then stretched its lead to 38-32 at the half before BD pulled within 49-45 after three.

That set the stage for a frenzied final eight minutes, especially the last 10 seconds. Terre Haute South’s Anthony McGill hit a 3-pointer with 8.2 seconds to play to tie the game at 67. Ben Davis had a chance to win it in regulation, but the Giants turned the ball over.

That turned out to be too much to overcome for the Giants, who whittled away a great chance for the upset by going just 11 of 20 from the line for the game compared with South’s 14-of-15 effort. Throw in the Braves’ 12-6 advantage in 3-point buckets and you see their path for escape – and that elusive first win at BD.

Senior guard Jake Odom had a game-high 36 points for Terre Haute South, including eight points in overtime. Odom stepped up big after junior John Michael Jarvis (eight points) turned an ankle with 3:22 remaining in regulation and the game knotted at 58.

Senior guard Ian McIntyre added 15 points for the Braves, who came back the next night to successfully complete a tight 2-for-2 road weekend by downing Vincennes Lincoln, 43-41.

Senior guard Greg Rice had 28 points to lead Ben Davis, while junior Greg Garrett added 12 for the Giants before fouling out. Ben Davis fell 57-52 the next night at Avon.

Looking at the race for the MIC title after all the weekend’s action, now-4A No. 5 Terre Haute South (5-1 in league play) maintains a half-game lead over 4A third-ranked Lawrence North (16-2, 4-1) and 4A No. 4 North Central (Indianapolis) (17-1, 4-1).

The Braves hold the upper hand among the three, having handed Lawrence North its first loss, 50-44, back on Dec. 5. Terre Haute South will get a chance to complete the sweep of its highly regarded conference rivals when they host North Central Feb. 14. The Panthers’ only loss came Jan. 23 in a 66-47 beatdown at LN.

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 It is approaching tourney time and it is becoming clear that the MIC will have a lot to say about the eventual state champion. This week’s poll of Indiana’s top teams shows MIC squads occupying three of the top six spots. Lawrence North is third, North Central fourth, and Terre Haute South sixth in this edition of the rankings. Carmel dropped out of the top 15 in 4A

Here is a look at the complete poll in all classes.

CLASS 4A
1. Bloomington South (14-0) 278 (13)
2. New Albany (12-0) 236
3. Lawrence North (15-2) 224 (1)
4. North Central (Indianapolis) (16-1) 204
5. Marion (12-1) 168
6. Terre Haute South (13-2) 137
7. Indianapolis Cathedral (14-1) 127
8. Munster (13-0) 94
9. Northridge (14-0) 86
10. Fort Wayne Snider (13-1) 80
11. Franklin Central (15-3) 27
12. Zionsville (13-1) 7
13. Warsaw (11-1) 6
13. Anderson (9-3) 6

CLASS 3A
1. Princeton (15-0) 276 (13)
2. Evansville Memorial (11-1) 244 (1)
3. Washington (11-1) 195
4. Southridge (11-2) 186
5. Batesville (11-2) 151
6. Danville (10-3) 116
7. West Vigo (12-3) 111
8. Fort Wayne Dwenger (9-4) 106
9. Rochester (10-2) 97
10. Peru (11-2) 88
11. Fort Wayne Wayne (9-3) 37
12. Indianapolis Howe Academy (9-4) 33
13. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (9-3) 21
14. Salem (10-2) 7
15. Delta (11-4) 6
15. Frankfort (10-4) 6

CLASS 2A
1. Fort Wayne Luers (13-3) 272 (11)
2. Tipton (13-2) 246 (2)
3. Heritage Christian (11-2) 195
4. Lapel (13-2) 170
5. Bluffton (14-2) 167 (1)
6. Lawrenceburg (8-2) 145
7. Wapahani (11-2) 102
8. Winchester (10-3) 97
9. Carroll (Flora) (10-1) 91
10. Oak Hill (11-3) 60
11. Evansville Mater Dei (9-3) 27
12. Switzerland County (14-2) 25
13. North Miami (10-2) 24
14. South Knox (11-3) 15
15. Forest Park (8-4) 14
16. Madison-Grant (9-2) 9
16. Austin (13-2) 9
18. Garrett (9-4) 6
18. Providence (11-3) 6

CLASS A
1. Triton (13-0) 278 (13)
2. Bowman Academy (11-2) 244 (1)
3. Rockville (13-2) 208
4. Jac-Cen-Del (10-2) 187
5. Monroe Central (11-2) 157
6. Vincennes Rivet (11-2) 124
7. Barr-Reeve (12-3) 123
7. Lafayette Central Catholic (9-6) 123
9. South Decatur (11-2) 94
10. North Daviess (10-5) 60
11. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (7-5) 30
12. North Central (Farmersburg) (10-3) 13
13. Shakamak (8-7) 12
14. Tecumseh (10-4) 7
14. Bethany Christian (7-6) 7
14. Lakewood Park Christian (9-5) 7
17. Loogootee (9-5) 6

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 If nothing else, Terre Haute South put some suspense back in the upcoming 4A state tourney. The Braves pushed #1 nationally ranked Ben Davis to the limit Monday evening before falling 54-51. It marks the first time this season the Giants have won by fewer than double digits. Nonetheless, Ben Davis showed composure down the stretch when they were challenged and claimed the outright MIC championship.

South made it clear from the outset that this would not be another walk in the park for the powerful Giants. The Braves recovered from an 8-2 mid-quarter deficit to lead 13-11 after one period. They then played an outstanding second period to grab a 30-19 lead at intermission.

Terre Haute maintained the margin through the third quarter, leading 41-33 at the end of three. However, you knew the Giants would eventually make a run, and they did just that. Ben Davis scored the first eight points of the final quarter and with a little more than five minutes to play all of the Braves’ work was out the window as the score was tied at 41. After a Terre Haute basket, Alex Bentley converted an old fashioned three point play and the Giants had their first lead since very early in the game. It was at this point that most teams would have folded, but South fought to the final horn. They were simply incapable of overtaking a Ben Davis squad that masterfully used the clock once they got in front.

The big guns were in evidence throughout this contest. Goss and Bentley combined for 35 of the Giants’ 54 points. Meanwhile, Smith and Grbic accounted for 32 of Terre Haute South’s 51 markers.

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 This is the weekly update of MIC sports. Click on the document link below to read this edition of the MIC Notes

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MIC teams
were very competitive in Saturday’s sectional tournaments but only Carmel
advanced to team regional competition. The Greyhounds took the title at the
Zionsville Sectional and will face Fountain Central in the North Montgomery
Regional next week.

Lawrence
North and North Central finished second and third respectively at the tough
Lawrence Central Sectional. Indianapolis Cathedral took honors at that
location. The runner-up status had to be especially tough for Lawrence north as
the Wildcats scored 255.5 points. That total would have won most sectionals in
the state. LN advanced 11 wrestlers to the individual regional round and
crowned three sectional champions. The Panthers pushed through nine individuals
and had one winner.

Ben Davis
took second at the Decatur Central Sectional. Individual results were not
available at the time of this writing. Center Grove was third at Mooresville
despite qualifying 10 individuals and crowning four champions.

Terre Haute
North was fourth at the Northview Sectional and city rival South was right
behind in fifth. The Patriots advanced seven wrestlers but did not have a
champion. South advanced only five grapplers but had three champions on the
day.

For a list
of those who advanced, please click on the school page of your favorite team.

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