Golden Bears cruise to fourth consecutive win over Connersville

CONNERSVILLE – Mar Nicholson sized up the undersized Connersville starting five and went to work.

The 6-5 Shelbyville senior scored the Golden Bears’ first seven points Saturday night. Senior guard Caden Claxton then followed with six first-quarter points to get Shelbyville off to a fast start that resulted in its fourth-straight win over the Spartans, 61-38.

“It helps having five experienced seniors back this year and then having two more on the bench to throw in whenever we need them,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “Seven total seniors with a lot of experience. These guys know we take one game at a time, take care of business and we did that tonight.”

With the fast start at the historic Spartan Bowl in Connersville, Hartnett was able to give valuable minutes to all seven seniors and the two Thomans – Cooper and Camden – throughout the contest.

“These guys on the bench in the rotation, they will help us out this year,” said Hartnett. “In those tough games we have coming up with New Castle, Whiteland and a very good Greenwood team, we will lean on those guys to step in and make some plays for us. Those guys are getting the experience we need. We are trying to keep everybody ready when their number is called.”

Senior Gavin Hall contributed four rebounds and two assists Saturday. Fellow senior Nick Fischer had an assist on a 3-pointer and Cooper Thoman, a junior, scored four points and had a rebound.

Connersville (1-2) cut Shelbyville’s lead from 24-5 to 27-13 but the Golden Bears, now 3-0, scored the final eight points of the first half to take a 35-13 advantage to the break.

The lead grew to 25 points twice in the third quarter. Shelbyville held a 46-27 lead going to the final quarter.

Nicholson’s final four points came early in the fourth quarter off a steal and layin and then an offensive putback at the rim that extended the lead to 50-27. Nicholson finished with 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Claxton (photo) had a game-high 22 points and added a team-high six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Brody Runnebohm had eight points and three steals.

Hunter Allen and Chase Corder each had eight points for Connersville.

Shelbyville’s junior varsity improved to 3-0 with a 46-43 win in overtime. Cayde Farmer led the Golden Bears with 11 points. Eli Davis finished with 10.

The first tough stretch of the season is on tap for Shelbyville. On Friday, the Golden Bears begin their final run as a member of the Hoosier Heritage Conference by hosting New Castle (2-2) in a girls/boys varsity-only doubleheader. The girls game tips off at 6 p.m. at Garrett Gymnasium.

On Saturday, Shelbyville is at Whiteland (2-1). Three days later, the Golden Bears host potential sectional foe Greenwood (4-0).

“We have a tough stretch coming up with a lot of games and two double weekends in a row – and a Tuesday night game. It doesn’t get any easier,” said Hartnett. “The teams get tougher and more physical.

“I look forward to New Castle Friday and a physical Whiteland team on Saturday. And then Greenwood, who is no joke. They are kicking peoples’ butts right now.”

On the backside of those three games in a five-night stretch is a HHC weekend at Mt. Vernon and at Yorktown.

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