Near perfect third quarter nets Class 3A, No. 4 Shelbyville a win at Columbus East

COLUMBUS -- A near perfect third quarter propelled Class 3A, No. 4 Shelbyville to a 69-47 win Tuesday at Columbus East.

The Golden Bears hit 8 of 9 shots from the field, including a pair of three-pointers, and all four of their free throw attempts while grabbing six rebounds and committing no turnovers. That produced a 22-8 scoring advantage that extended a 34-23 halftime advantage to 56-31.

“At halftime, we said we need to extend and get the lead up to 18 or 20 (points),” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett. “I thought our zone (defense) was excellent in the second half and really slowed them down and kept them out of the paint. And it made it harder for (Keaton) Lawson to get open shots.

“The third quarter was excellent for us, very efficient and great shooting.”  

Columbus East (4-5) played without two injured starters Tuesday including leading scorer Carter Patterson (16.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg). The left the Olympians woefully overmatched on the floor.

Keaton Lawson (15.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg), an Indiana Wesleyan commit, was still available but the senior did not have enough firepower around him to counteract the Golden Bears, now averaging 62.2 ppg.

Shelbyville’s frontline of Mar Nicholson (photo) and Cole Schene combined for 12 first-quarter points to get the Golden Bears a 17-10 lead at the first break.

“I loved how Cole was not afraid of anything tonight,” said Hartnett. “He is so aggressive and is getting more confident playing with this team. He is doing a great job of creating his own shot when he gets it in the post. And he is a good passer too so he knows if he gets double teamed somebody will be open.”

Camden Thoman (photo) hit a pair of 3s early in the second quarter but four turnovers slowed Shelbyville down.

A 7-1 run by the Olympians to close out the first half cut the lead back to 11.

Shelbyville went back to its low post game to start the third quarter and Nicholson and Schene produced eight straight points.

Columbus East hit just 2 of 10 shots in the quarter while the Golden Bears shot 89% from the field.

Nicholson led the Golden Bears (11-2) with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. Schene and Thoman each had 12 points.

Gavin Reed (photo) finished with 10 and Caden Claxton had seven points, six rebounds and four assists.

Lawson led the Olympians with 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Graham Preizer hit three 3s to finish with nine points.

Columbus East won the junior varsity game, 50-37. Miles Broaddus led the Olympians with 14 points.

Cooper Thoman (photo) led Shelbyville with 10 points. Jasper Hahn had nine.

Shelbyville returns to Garrett Gymnasium Saturday night to host Pendleton Heights (8-2, 0-1 Hoosier Heritage Conference).

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