Despite a prolific past and a recent string of successful seasons, Rushville is still searching for the program's first state basketball title. The Lions showed on Tuesday that this may be their year, as they captured the City Securities Hall of Fame Classic championship at New Castle.
3A No. 2 Rushville has had some impressive wins this season, including victories over 4A schools Greenfield-Central (10-2) and Greensburg (10-2). The Lions seem to be getting better as the season goes on, racking up a pair of tough wins on Tuesday over 4A No. 2 Mooresville (12-1) and 4A Jay County (11-3).
"It’s a real confidence-booster, and I’m very proud of the way (the players) responded after a tough loss (to 4A Greenwood on Dec. 15)," said Rushville head coach Melissa Marlow, whose team lost 70-66 to a Woodmen team coached by former Lion Debbie Guckenberger. "Now we’ve got to focus on our half-court defense and make sure that we don’t plateau as a team."
The Lions' first game was a slugfest, but they managed to stave off Mooresville 69-63 by shooting 52 percent from the field and build the lead to 11 points in the fourth quarter. Despite an 18-point effort from Sierra Chabra, a 17-point effort from Maegan Callaway and a 20-point fourth quarter, Mooresville ran out of time, but managed to win the consolation game against Plainfield, 51-46.
Rushville, which boasts four scorers averaging double figures, got a pair of strong performances from senior Morgan Herbert, who posted 15 and 13 points, respectively, and took home the tournament MVP award. Alexa Bess, the team’s second-leading rebounder (5.5 per game) and scorer (15.1) was held in check during the tournament, scoring just six points against Mooresville and 19 points combined. But as has happened throughout the season, other players stepped up when needed. Shelby Justice, averaging 15.5 points per game, dropped 20 on Mooresville and 32 total, and Maegan Hittle added a combined 14 points.
"The balance we have is great," said Marlow. "I think that it’s tough to prepare for us, because if you focus on stopping one player, someone else has a big night. We’ve had that happen a few different times and I think that makes it tough (for teams to match up) against us."
Perhaps the most impressive stat line come on the defensive side of the ball. While the Lions may be able to put up some points, a big part of their success and a source of pride comes from holding a plus-106 turnover advantage and tallying 177 steals while allowing just 82. Rushville beings a four-game road trip on Saturday, which includes contests against 4A Center Grove (8-2) and Franklin County (10-3).
Boys wrap-up
3A Mount Vernon was impressive in its two games in the boys’ Hall of Fame Classic against 4A No. 5 Munster and 4A power Zionsville, holding both teams to a combined 31 percent shooting. The Marauders were led by Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit Daniel Turner, who put up 23 points on previously unbeaten Munster and had eight points, nine boards and four blocks against Zionsville to claim the tournament’s MVP award. P.J. Hubert led the Marauders in the championship game with 15 points. Jack Isenbarger led the charge for Zionsville (8-3) with 15 points and eight rebounds. The Eagles were without leading scorer Chris Welker, who tallied 18 points in an opening-round win against 3A No. 6 Princeton, in the second half.
The senior-laden Marauders are looking for their first postseason win since the 2001-02 season and have reason to hope for more. In a postgame interview with the Indianapolis Star, Zionsville head coach Shaun Busick was quoted as saying, "That’s what a 3A champion looks like." Mount Vernon’s next test will be the Hancock County Tournament staring on Friday.
4A No. 1 Bloomington South managed to remain perfect with a 71-68 overtime win at No. 8 Carmel on Wednesday. The Greyhounds had built up an 11-point lead with just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, but allowed the Panthers (8-0) to climb back in the game behind a 13-point quarter from Indiana recruit Matt Carlino, who tallied 28 total. Carmel (5-2) was led by Alex Payne with 16 points and Scott Laskowski with 15. Bloomington North, whose winning streak is now at 34 games, will hose Lexington Catholic (Ky.) on Saturday, while Carmel will play Valparaiso (8-0) on Saturday.
Despite a 30-point effort from sophomore D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, 4A No. 3 North Central (5-2) fell to East Chicago Central (6-1) 80-78 on Wednesday night. The Cardinals were led by Michael Harris with 23 points and Jerrick Ware with 20 points. The Panthers will try to get back on track on Saturday against LaPorte (6-2).
Phil Miller’s layup with 15 seconds left was the difference for Fishers (5-3) as they topped Avon (5-3), 62-61. Miller had 18 points, while teammate Noah Stewart had 19.
