With the bitter taste of an overtime loss in their mouths, the Brownstown Central boys basketball team is looking to get back on track.
On Friday, the Braves will host Mid-Southern Conference rival Scottsburg.
Thus far this season, the Warriors stand undefeated at 4-0. Their biggest test thus far was a 68-67 win in overtime against visiting Christian Academy on Nov. 29.
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On Tuesday, the Braves fell to Bedford North Lawrence 59-52 in overtime. One of the keys to that loss was the number of free throws allowed and missed by the Braves, according to coach Dave Benter.
“We have to make free throws,” Benter said. “We just need to be more efficient on the offensive end. We’ve had one half this season where we’ve shot the ball really well. We have guys that I feel can shoot the ball, that just haven’t up to this point. At some point we need to start making
some shots.”
The Braves allowed 12 free-throw attempts in the four minutes of overtime.
This year’s Warriors are led by six seniors.
Scottsburg coach Brady Wells returned to the squad last year after taking five years off from the job. In his 13 years of coaching, Wells has racked up 166 wins against
95 losses.
“(Scottsburg) is very much improved,” Benter said. “They have played really well up to this point. They have a lot of different guys that can score. It will be a tough matchup.”
On the defensive end, the Braves look to limit the Warriors to a half-court game.
“The first thing is to not give up easy points in transition,” Benter said. “We need to make them get into the halfcourt to score. They like to put the ball in (Cameron) Schmidt and (Christian) Evans’ hands. We need to guard the ball screens really well. They shoot the three and dribble-drive really well.”
The Braves are managing 62 points per game through three contests. On the defensive end, they are giving up 48 points per contest.
Through four games, the Warriors are putting up 68 points while giving up 58 points a game.
Braves junior Zach McCory has lead the team in scoring with 18 points per game. Jacoby Shade, who is also a junior, isn’t far behind, putting up 15 per game.
Off the bench, sophomore Cody Waskom is putting up 12 points per game for the Braves.
This early in the season, the Braves hope to notch their second MSC win. The Braves (2-1) opened the season with a 61-47 victory against Salem.
“Our conference is so tough night-in and night-out; there are four or five teams capable of winning it,” Benter said. “You can’t afford to have a loss this early in the year. If you do, you still have a chance of winning but it’s tough. Scottsburg is going to be one of the teams up there for the conference (title).”
In their most recent meeting, the Braves ousted the Warriors 73-50 in the first round of the sectional.
Before the Christmas break, the Braves are on the road at North Harrison on Dec. 19 and Mitchell on Dec. 20. The Braves will play in the North Daviess Classic tournament Dec. 23 through 27.
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Friday
Brownstown Central (2-1) at Scottsburg (4-0)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Bedford North Lawrence def. Brownstown Central 59-52 (OT). Scottsburg def. Charlestown 59-48.
Series past 30 years: Brownstown Central 18-13
Most recent meeting: Brownstown Central won 72-34 on March 4, 2014 (sectional)
Seymour (1-2) at Jeffersonville (0-2)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Seymour def. Franklin 63-60 (OT). Evansville Bosse def. Jeffersonville 61-55.
Series past 30 years: Jeffersonville 33-4
Most recent meeting: Jeffersonville won 64-48 on Dec. 13, 2013.
Martinsville Tabernacle (0-0) at Medora (1-2)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Springs Valley def. Medora 35-33 (OT).
Series past 30 years: Medora 10-3
Most recent meeting: Medora won 70-45 on Dec. 13, 2013
Springs Valley (2-1) at Crothersville (0-4)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Springs Valley def. Medora 35-33 (OT). Rock Creek Academy def. Crothersville 76-51.
Series past 30 years: Springs Valley 10-1
Most recent meeting: Springs Valley 54, Crothersville 37 on March 4, 2014 (sectional)
Saturday
Seymour (1-2) at Whiteland (2-1)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Seymour def. Jennings County 63-60. Whiteland def. Plainfield 64-46.
Series past 30 years: Seymour 7-6
Most recent meeting: Whitland won 55-46 on Dec. 14, 2013
Medora (1-2) at Lanesville (0-3)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 8 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Springs Valley def. Medora 35-33 (OT). Paoli def. Lanesville 64-62
Series past 30 years: Lanesville 26-4
Most recent meeting: Lanesville won 75-43 on Jan. 11, 2014
West Washington at Trinity Lutheran (4-0)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Pekin def. West Washington 70-68. Trinity Lutheran def. Austin 57-54.
Series past 30 years: Tied 2-2
Most recent meeting: Trinity Lutheran won 50-48 on March 7, 2014 (sectional)
Borden (3-1) at Crothersville (0-4)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Borden def. Southwestern (Hanover) 42-30. Rock Creek Academy def. Crothersville 76-51.
Series past 30 years: Borden 25-9
Most recent meeting: Borden def. Crothersville 81-49 on Dec. 14, 2013
Tuesday
Crothersville (0-4) at New Washington (0-4)
Game time: 6 p.m. JV, 7:30 p.m. varsity
Previous outing: Rock Creek Academy def. Crothersville 76-51. Christian Academy def. New Washington 67-38.
Series past 30 years: New Washington 24-8
Most recent meeting: Crothersville won 56-48 on Dec. 17, 2013
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