The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1202802
The Press-Dispatch Sports Wednesday, Januar y 22, 2020 B- 5 By Dennis Marshall Press-Dispatch Sports Editor sports@pressdispatch.net The Pike Central eighth-grade boys' basketball team improved to 13-5 this past week, after splitting a pair of games with Fort Branch and Wood Memorial. The Chargers defeated the Trojans, 33- 22, on Monday, Jan. 20. Quade Morton and Julian Gish led the team with 13 and 12 points, respectively. "Tough shooting night, but we played great on the defensive end and had a real good second half," Pike Central coach JJ Howald said. The Chargers' other scorers were Chase Ridao (4), Ethan Meadors (2) and Zane Ge- hlhausen (2). Pike Central fell 49 -38 to Fort Branch on Thursday, Jan. 16. "( We ) really got out and played in the first half as we went into the half down 18," Howald said. "They are very athletic and they flat out got after it and played harder than us. We played a much better second half and matched their intensity, and cut it down to a one-possession game in the fourth quarter before we ran out of gas. I was re- ally proud of the kids for coming out of the half and punching back." Morton had 18, Gish finished with 10, Meadors scored six and Ridao contribut- ed four. The seventh graders are now 5 -12 on the season after they defeated Wood Memori- al. They won 31-21 and were led by Noah Meece with 11 points. "This was a great team win," Pike Central coach Jacob Robinette said. "It really wasn't as close as the final score shows. I was real- ly proud of how we bounced back from last week's loss at Fort Branch. Everyone got to step in and contribute to the win. These guys were fired up." Other Pike Central scorers were Drew Dawson (6), Brenton Fryrear (6), Barrett Cooper (4), Albert Whitehead (3) and Kole Besing (1). The seventh-grade team lost at Fort Branch, 39 -20, on Thursday, Jan. 16. Dawson had six, Jake Pauw and Fryrear each had four, and Barrett Cooper and Eli Arnold each scored two. "Everyone felt kind of beat up after this game," Robinette said. "The team and I felt like this one got away from us. We have aver- aged 38 points a game in the last five games, but tonight, nothing was clicking for us." The Chargers' seventh-grade B-team did come away with a win against the Twigs. They won 34-23 and were led by Jace Him- sel with 11. Matthew Meadows added nine, Braden Schultheis and Arie O'Neal each scored four, and Besing and Parker Knust each had two. "This was a fun game to be part of," Robi- nette said. "This team was energetic, excit- ed and earned every bit of this win. All ten players got really close to getting points on the board. Jakob Newkirk, Conner Loveless, Andrew Woods and Jayden Bolin didn't get in the scoring column, but played their best games of the season. "Himsel had a big night and led all scor- ers with 11 points, including a three. O'Ne- al made some great plays and did a great job of running the offense. Kole Besing guard- ed their best player and held him to just two points. Braden Schultheis and Parker Knust got their season highs in scoring. This was a great team win. I am proud of all their ef- forts." The Pike Central eighth-grade girls lost to Jasper, 23-10, on Thursday, Jan. 16. Brailey Mills had six, and Shelby Meadors and Kelby Leighty each scored two. They also lost to Tecumseh, 44-33, on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Mills led the team with 17. Meadors had 10, Ruby Salle scored five and Anna White- head made a free throw. The seventh-grade girls also lost to Jas- per, 35 -6. Emma Hunt scored four and Karly Mor- son had two. The team also lost to Tecumseh, 45 -8. Hunt led the team with four. MyKynna Satterfield and Morson each scored two. Pike Central Middle School Basketball Roundup Pike Central seventh-grader Jace Himsel goes for a block against Fort Branch on Thursday, Jan. 16. Brailey Mills scans the Jasper defense on Thursday, Jan. 16. A member of Pike Central seventh-grade basketball team goes up for a shot against Fort Branch on Thursday, Jan. 16. Pike Central eighth grader Shelby Meadors saves a ball from going out of bounds during the Chargers' game against Jasper on Thursday, Jan. 16. The Lady Chargers' Ruby Sal- lee puts up a shot on Thursday, Jan. 16. Ashlynn Kirk looks for an open teammate in the post during the Pike Central eighth-grade girls' basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 16.