BROWNSTOWN
Brownstown Central’s boys and girls basketball teams each hosted Brown County on Saturday.
Neither team left any room for doubt, as both teams picked up convincing victories against the Eagles in the pit.
Braves’ seniors go out with a bang
Brownstown Central’s girls basketball team didn’t look like a squad that hadn’t played a game in nine days.
The Braves lit up Brown County 63-33 to post a non-conference victory Saturday afternoon.
Brownstown (16-6) went on a 9-0 run — behind five points by Tayler Garland — from the 5:18- to 3:04-mark in the first quarter to lead 11-4.
A 3-pointer by Madison Klinge extended the Braves’ lead to eight points before a buzzer-beating hook shot by the Eagles’ Allison Stogsdill cut the visitors’ deficit to 18-12.
The Braves scored six unanswered points to open the second quarter to lead 24-12 with 5:14 left in the half.
In the final 3:48 of the second quarter, the Braves outscored the Eagles 7-4 to lead 31-18 at intermission.
Three straight scores by Ashley Schroer, and baskets by Garland and Payton Farmer, put the Braves up 41-23 with 5:35 left in the third quarter.
The teams then exchanged buckets until Halle Hehman came up clutch for the Braves.
At the third quarter buzzer, Hehman banked-in a shot from two-thirds down the court to put the Braves up 48-28.
An 8-0 Braves run to start the fourth quarter put the Braves up 58-30 with 3:40 left.
In the waning minutes, the Braves were able to empty the bench while draining the clock.
Schroer led the Braves with 14 points, Garland added 12 and Farmer totaled 10. Allison Stogsdill topped the Eagles with 11 points.
Nine different girls scored for the Braves on the day, and 21 baskets were assisted in the game.
“We talked about being unselfish, and making the extra pass,” Braves coach Karla Rieckers said. “I was really pleased with how we did that today.”
With numerous snow days over the past two weeks, the Braves — like many other programs — were recently forced to adjust to an irregular schedule.
“I didn’t think we had practiced particularly well,” Rieckers said. “I wasn’t sure if it was because of the snow days, and our days being mixed up, or what it was. But (Friday) night, we came back and practiced really well. I don’t know if it’s because we got back into a normal routine. I was pleased with how we responded (Saturday).”
Prior to the game, Braves players Shelby Stuckwisch, Madison Klinge and Kristen Stuckwisch were honored for senior night.
“My three seniors are are really special girls,” Rieckers said. “They came in as freshmen and dressed varsity. Their sophomore years were a little bit of a struggle, having to step up and needing to play varsity. They preserved through that.
“You couldn’t ask for better kids. They’re student-athletes. They have great attitudes and work hard. If there’s a little girl out there looking for a role model, any one of these three would be a great one to have. They’re top-notch, and we’re certainly going to miss them next year.”
Braves dominate Eagles
In the second quarter against Brown County, Brownstown Central’s boys suffocated the visitors.
The Braves (8-4) didn’t allow a single point in the second quarter as they blasted the Eagles 54-33 on Saturday.
A slow start gave the Eagles (2-11) an early lead.
The Braves’ Ethan Wischmeier and Cameron Luedeman each hit 3-pointers, but a 7-0 run to conclude the quarter gave the Eagles a 12-8 lead at the end of eight minutes of play.
In the second quarter, the Braves outscored the Eagles 23-0. Matthew Garland scored six points and Wischmeier had five in that span.
Braves coach Dave Benter said that an uptick in energy spurred the run.
“We started scoring the basketball which allowed us to set up our press,” he said. “We went from a man press to a diamond press. Our defense then generated some offense for us.”
Garland, Hayden Kinsler and Isaiah Wineinger played heavy minutes in the second quarter to help the Braves pick up the pace.
“We talk about, all the time, that we’re going to play the guys — no matter if it’s a starter or a sub — that are the best five players on the floor that night,” Benter said. “We felt that Isaiah, Hayden and Matt came in and played great. Them and Mike (Boshears), Cam (Luedeman) and Ethan were all really effective and played with energy.”
At the break, the Braves held a 31-12 lead.
The Braves otuscored the Eagles 13-11 in the third quarter, with Caleb Bollinger, Garland and Wischmeier each hitting 3-pointers.
After 24 minutes of play, the Braves led 44-23.
With the massive lead, the Braves were able to rotate all their players in as the time ran out in the fourth quarter.
Wischmeier led the Braves with 14 points on four made 3-pointers while Garland and Luedeman each scored nine.
Six-foot-five forward Isaiah Keefauver led the Eagles with 15 points.
The Braves won the rebounding margin 26-19.
Brownstown will host Austin on Tuesday for a Mid-Southern Conference game.