Spartans survive Cats, complete EIAC sweep
February 22, 2022 at 9:40 p.m.
Spartans survive Cats, complete EIAC sweep
By Will Fehlinger-
No easy riddle as the Cats led just once – 2-0 on Chad Cox's reverse layup – en route to a 49-39 loss ahead of the IHSAA sectional draw over the weekend. The 39 points mark a season low for the FC offense.
The game reached a dangerous tipping point for the visitors when CHS went on a 7-0 run early in the second half to lead 29-16; junior forward Josh Williams scored five of his team-high 17 during the surge. By the start of the fourth quarter, however, the guests were within a manageable seven at 33-26.
Cox buried a pair of 3-pointers to spark the comeback, the second trimming the deficit to 31-26. Earlier, Brant Ertel had scored off his offensive rebound before finding junior classmate Jace Lee with a deft assist; Lee couldn't complete the 3-point play, making it 31-23. Late in the frame, Lee was called for contact on Kaleb Sparks' missed 3 attempt. Sparks sank two of the three charities.
Cox made it a 5-point game once again to open the fourth-quarter scoring. The rest of the contest, though, was firmly in Connersville's court. The Spartans would outscore FC 16-11, including a 7-of-8 stint at the foul line, to hoist the traveling trophy for a second straight year.
A deep three by Sparks put CHS up 36-28 and Lucas Barron found Williams on a give-and-go to push the spread back into double digits. A questionable shooting foul on FC had Sparks going to the line for two more.
At 5:49, Ertel finally connected on a triple after missing his four previous attempts from the arc. After a Spartan turnover, senior JD Stokes hit his lone bucket of the game and coach Mark Foster signaled timeout at 40-33.
Williams again got to the basket for a contested lay-in, though the Wildcat bench was seeking a double-dribble call on the drive. Braxton Myers, who scored 9 for CHS in the first half, converted to make it a 44-33 game. Point guard Tobey Billups would sink 5 of 6 FTs in the last couple minutes to ice it. FC's total was boosted by Bridger Bolos' only field goal and a late 3 for Lee.
Barron answered Cox's early score for a 2-2 tie. Williams would score his first two field goals to give the home team a 6-3 advantage. As physical play moved on, some contact was allowed but Lee was whistled for a charge that negated a tying basket. Myers dropped in a trey and Cox hit from the elbow to make it 9-6 after one complete.
Cox, who scored first in all four periods, changed the scoreboard to 9-8 with a jump shot. A 6-0 swing for CHS ensued, capped by Myers finishing a 3-point play and hitting 1 of 2 at the stripe. Lee rolled one in as FC's only non-Cox bucket of the half, followed by a Williams make. A Sparks 3-pointer put the Spartans up 20-12 and a well-executed Williams to Myers play beat the halftime buzzer to make it 22-14 at the break.
The second half started with promise for FC as Cox hit a pull-up jumper followed by a Connersville turnover at the other end.
Whether by design, coach Kerry Brown's defense seemed content to let Cox get his – game-high 23 – while looking to stifle the senior's supporting cast. Ertel, Bolos and Stokes were held well below their scoring averages; neither team had any bench points on the night. Myers had 11 and Sparks 10 for the winning side.
The Wildcats wrap up the regular season Thursday against visiting Richmond. Connersville rolled Lawrenceburg Saturday, 52-31, to finish unbeaten in EIAC play – the fourth time achieving that mark (and second consecutive) since joining the league in 2013. FC at 4-3 appears headed for a third-place tie.
In the annual Beat Cancer in 4 quarters game, Franklin County kept the fundraising traveling trophy by raising a record $13,232.63!
The Connersville sectional starts Tuesday with Rushville facing Lawrenceburg. The winner will play South Dearborn in the semifinals. Wednesday features a quarterfinal doubleheader as heavyweights Greensburg (19-4) and Connersville (17-6) duke it out in the opener and FC faces Batesville (9-12) after being eliminated by the Bulldogs in each of the last three sectionals. Winners from Wednesday will meet in Friday's semis. The championship is Saturday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
Scoring
FC (16-4, 4-3) – Bolos 2, Cox 23 (2 3s), Ertel 5 (3), Stokes 2, Lee 7 (3)
C (16-6, 6-0) – Williams 17, Barron 4, Sparks 10 (2 3s), Billups 7, Myers 11 (3)
Notes: Chad Cox has been named an Indiana Regional All-Star and was selected to the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association All-District 3 (12 counties) squad. Cox is averaging 18.2 points per game and leads the Cats in rebounding, assists, blocks and deflections.
Sectional tickets are on sale in the office at FCHS for $10; this ticket is good for each game and is the only type available for presale. Single game tickets will be available at the door for $6.
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No easy riddle as the Cats led just once – 2-0 on Chad Cox's reverse layup – en route to a 49-39 loss ahead of the IHSAA sectional draw over the weekend. The 39 points mark a season low for the FC offense.
The game reached a dangerous tipping point for the visitors when CHS went on a 7-0 run early in the second half to lead 29-16; junior forward Josh Williams scored five of his team-high 17 during the surge. By the start of the fourth quarter, however, the guests were within a manageable seven at 33-26.
Cox buried a pair of 3-pointers to spark the comeback, the second trimming the deficit to 31-26. Earlier, Brant Ertel had scored off his offensive rebound before finding junior classmate Jace Lee with a deft assist; Lee couldn't complete the 3-point play, making it 31-23. Late in the frame, Lee was called for contact on Kaleb Sparks' missed 3 attempt. Sparks sank two of the three charities.
Cox made it a 5-point game once again to open the fourth-quarter scoring. The rest of the contest, though, was firmly in Connersville's court. The Spartans would outscore FC 16-11, including a 7-of-8 stint at the foul line, to hoist the traveling trophy for a second straight year.
A deep three by Sparks put CHS up 36-28 and Lucas Barron found Williams on a give-and-go to push the spread back into double digits. A questionable shooting foul on FC had Sparks going to the line for two more.
At 5:49, Ertel finally connected on a triple after missing his four previous attempts from the arc. After a Spartan turnover, senior JD Stokes hit his lone bucket of the game and coach Mark Foster signaled timeout at 40-33.
Williams again got to the basket for a contested lay-in, though the Wildcat bench was seeking a double-dribble call on the drive. Braxton Myers, who scored 9 for CHS in the first half, converted to make it a 44-33 game. Point guard Tobey Billups would sink 5 of 6 FTs in the last couple minutes to ice it. FC's total was boosted by Bridger Bolos' only field goal and a late 3 for Lee.
Barron answered Cox's early score for a 2-2 tie. Williams would score his first two field goals to give the home team a 6-3 advantage. As physical play moved on, some contact was allowed but Lee was whistled for a charge that negated a tying basket. Myers dropped in a trey and Cox hit from the elbow to make it 9-6 after one complete.
Cox, who scored first in all four periods, changed the scoreboard to 9-8 with a jump shot. A 6-0 swing for CHS ensued, capped by Myers finishing a 3-point play and hitting 1 of 2 at the stripe. Lee rolled one in as FC's only non-Cox bucket of the half, followed by a Williams make. A Sparks 3-pointer put the Spartans up 20-12 and a well-executed Williams to Myers play beat the halftime buzzer to make it 22-14 at the break.
The second half started with promise for FC as Cox hit a pull-up jumper followed by a Connersville turnover at the other end.
Whether by design, coach Kerry Brown's defense seemed content to let Cox get his – game-high 23 – while looking to stifle the senior's supporting cast. Ertel, Bolos and Stokes were held well below their scoring averages; neither team had any bench points on the night. Myers had 11 and Sparks 10 for the winning side.
The Wildcats wrap up the regular season Thursday against visiting Richmond. Connersville rolled Lawrenceburg Saturday, 52-31, to finish unbeaten in EIAC play – the fourth time achieving that mark (and second consecutive) since joining the league in 2013. FC at 4-3 appears headed for a third-place tie.
In the annual Beat Cancer in 4 quarters game, Franklin County kept the fundraising traveling trophy by raising a record $13,232.63!
The Connersville sectional starts Tuesday with Rushville facing Lawrenceburg. The winner will play South Dearborn in the semifinals. Wednesday features a quarterfinal doubleheader as heavyweights Greensburg (19-4) and Connersville (17-6) duke it out in the opener and FC faces Batesville (9-12) after being eliminated by the Bulldogs in each of the last three sectionals. Winners from Wednesday will meet in Friday's semis. The championship is Saturday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
Scoring
FC (16-4, 4-3) – Bolos 2, Cox 23 (2 3s), Ertel 5 (3), Stokes 2, Lee 7 (3)
C (16-6, 6-0) – Williams 17, Barron 4, Sparks 10 (2 3s), Billups 7, Myers 11 (3)
Notes: Chad Cox has been named an Indiana Regional All-Star and was selected to the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association All-District 3 (12 counties) squad. Cox is averaging 18.2 points per game and leads the Cats in rebounding, assists, blocks and deflections.
Sectional tickets are on sale in the office at FCHS for $10; this ticket is good for each game and is the only type available for presale. Single game tickets will be available at the door for $6.
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