In boys varsity basketball heard Friday night on WRBI, 11th ranked Connersville defended the Spartan Bowl against Franklin County. By virtue of their 49-39 victory over the Wildcats, the Spartans have clinched a tie for the EIAC title.
CHS is now 6-0 with just Lawrenceburg left in conference to play Saturday. The Tigers are the only other EIAC team in contention at 4-1 following their 55-45 defeat of South Dearborn Friday.
But back to The Bowl. Less a game opening basket by Franklin County’s Chad Cox, Connersville led the rest of the way. The Spartans held leads of 9-6 and 22-14 at the first two stops.
Braxton Meyers posted nine points at the halfway mark for CHS while Cox accounted for 12 of the Cats 14 points.
Connersville led by as many as 13 in the third period before a Franklin County run brought the Brookville boys to within five. It was later 33-26 with a quarter to go.
Early in the fourth, the Wildcats got within a handful one more time only to see the deficit quickly grow to a dozen. The Fayette County crew went on to win by 10.
Josh Williams led Connersville with 17 points, Braxton Myers scored 11 and Kaleb Sparks added 10. Tobey Billups put in seven and hit five consecutive free throws in the closing quarter to help preserve the victory.
In fact, the Spartans, collectively, made 14-of-17 at the line. The Cats were just 7-of-12. All other key stats were very close across the board.
Chad Cox of Franklin County posted a game-high 23. Jace Lee logged seven and Brant Ertel tallied five.
The Wildcats won the JV game 43-39. Landon Wuestefeld nailed four triples on his way to 16 points. FC teammate Tanner Weartz scored 10.
In other boys varsity finals last night…
Edinburgh won the Mid Hoosier outright by hitting the century mark against South Decatur. 100-73 was the final.
Jac-Cen-Del remains undefeated in the ORVC with a 58-49 victory over Switzerland County. The Eagles could clinch a tie for the title with a win at Milan Saturday.
South Ripley stays a game behind Jac in the ORVC with a 57-48 win against Rising Sun. Ripley will play the Eagles next Friday night to close out the regular season.
Batesville bested Morristown 65-26.
Milan lost by a deuce to Hauser 54-52.
North Decatur won by two over Southwestern Shelby 57-55.
Southwestern Hanover dropped a 68-48 decision to Jennings County.
Waldron fell to Liberty Christian 98-60.
We thank Connersville AD Brent Duncan and staff for the accommodations and hospitality. We also thank coaches Mark Foster of Franklin County and Kerry Brown of Connersville for their information and time in our pregame show.