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.
Processing your request, Please wait....
