The Sports Voice covered two boys high school varsity basketball games Saturday.
WRBI’s afternoon stop was in St. Leon where East Central High School honored its 1975 boys sectional championship team. But it was visiting Franklin County who celebrated victory, knocking off the host Trojans 44-37.
East Central led at the end of the first three stops: 9-6, 18-16 and 24-23. But the Wildcats outscored the Trojans 21-13 in the final period to win by seven.
A big key in the closing quarter for Franklin County was an 8-of-10 effort at the free throw line The Cats made 13-of-18 overall. East Central converted 9-of-10 with just two makes over the final eight minutes.
The Trojans struggled from the arc connecting on just 2-of-15 triple attempts.
Chad Cox led the Brookville boys with 14 points plus five rebounds, three asssits and two blocks. Brant Ertel netted nine and eight apiece were scored by Bridger Bolos and Jace Lee. Lee also posted five boards.
East Central got 14 points and six rebounds from Jadyn Dennis plus 11 points and four caroms from Casey McQueen.
In our night game, South Ripley improved to 3-0 in the ORVC with a 67-41 victory at Switzerland County.
Once the Raiders closed on an 8-0 run to lead 11-4 at the end of the first quarter, Ripley kept control the rest of the night.
It was 32-20 at half and 50-32 at the end of the third.
The Raiders torched the nets 14 times from 3-point range (14/29) and shot 53 percent overall (25/47). The Pacers dropped in five bombs and made 39 percent from the floor (16/41). Ripley also protected the basketball, committing just five turnovers.
Blane Ward connected on five South Ripley triples for 15 points. Cole Henry scored a dozen while Nick Schwarte and Dalton Smith recorded 10 each.
Switzerland County, playing without season scoring leader Cam Craig, saw Ben Hicks lead with 12 points. Jacob Williams and Bryce Wrightsman followed with nine and eight each.
We thank ADs Don Stonefield and Brian Graham for the accommodations and hospitality along with coaches David Disbro, Mark Foster, Travis Wrightsman and Tyler Theising for their time and information.