Crothersville seeing early success

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CROTHERSVILLE

While the conference schedule is young, Crothersville’s boys basketball team can feel confident where they currently stand.

The Tigers are 2-0 in Southern Athletic Conference play this season, following a 76-52 win against New Washington on Saturday, and will host the remainder of its SAC games this season.

Only one other team’s undefeated in SAC play thus far, as Henryville (1-0 SAC) topped Lanesville 47-45 this past Friday.

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The Tigers dominated the Mustangs on Saturday, posting a third straight win which and moved Crothersville to 6-2 on the season. Its the best start for the Tigers under sixth-year coach Greg Kilgore, and also the best start for the program since the 2011-12 season.

In the first quarter against the Mustangs, Josh Thomas and Logan Brewer shouldered the offense.

Thomas hit a 3-pointer to open the game before the Mustangs scored six unanswered points by teh 5:37-mark.

The teams traded baskets until the Mustangs mustered a 7-2 run to lead 17-9 with 2:21 on the clock.

A 3-pointer by Brewer cut the Tigers’ deficit to five, but the Mustangs answered with a trey and would lead 20-12 after eight minutes of play.

Thomas scored seven points and Brewer had five in the first quarter.

A pair of runs propelled the Tigers to the front in the second quarter.

Brewer went on a 7-0 scoring streak to bring the score to 20-19 before a 10-0 Crothersville run put the Tigers on top 30-25 with 1:32 left in the half.

In the second run, Dylan Wilson converted an and-one and Mathew Wilburn drilled a 3-pointer to lead the Tigers.

Brewer hit another 3-pointer and Thomas got a basket to go, with five ticks on the clock, and the Tigers led 35-27 at half.

Out of the break, the Tigers kept pushing the ball down the court.

Crothersville opened the second half with a 10-0 run behind five points by both Thomas and Wilson.

The Tigers held onto the lead, outscoring the Mustangs 20-11 in the third quarter, and took a 55-38 advantage into the final eight minutes of play.

From 5:34 to 3:12 in the fourth quarter, the Tigers outscored the Mustangs 15-2 to lead 74-45. Brewer had six points and Noah Hoskins scored five in the span.

Crothersville was able to empty its bench in the final two minutes, as they held on for the win.

“They played fast and hard,” Kilgore said. “I thought the first quarter, we had a defensive letdown. We want to get up and down the floor and force teams into bad decisions. I loved our defensive intensity and how we shared the ball in the second half.”

The Mustangs outrebounded the Tigers 25-24, but Crothersville won the rebounding margin 9-23.

Brewer topped the Tigers with 25 points, Thomas added 18 and Wilson scored 14.

Kilgore feels confident in his team, and where they stand in the SAC.

“We’re 2-0, and if we hold home court we could win it outright,” Kilogre said. “I don’t know the last time Crothesville won (the SAC) outright. In 2012, they tied for the SAC.”

The Tigers will play in the Scott County Invitational this weekend, starting with a match up at Austin, with the host school, on 10 a.m. on Friday.

“This is the type of group that asks if they can come in early, at 8 a.m. for the tournament, for shootarounds,” Kilgore said  I haven’t had guys in six years that have wanted to do that. It’s good to have guys that want to get ready for games and prepare.

“We’re tickled to death. We’re just going to keep rolling.”

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