By GREG MENGELT
Jeffersonville had six players score at least eight points and knocked off Class 2A, No. 2 Austin on the road, 65-53 on Saturday.
Senior Shanice Gholson led the way with 16 for the Red Devils, who led 21-16 at the half. Jalynn McClain scored 12 points, Brooklyn Kinnaird chipped in with 11 and Lakin Roland had 10. Brooke Valentine and Jamice Gholson each finished with eight.
“The kids really did a good job of being unselfish,” Jeff coach Chad Gilbert said. “That’s the greatest strength of this team, and they stepped up to beat Austin’s pressure defense.”
Gilbert counted the win in a hostile environment over the 18-2 Eagles as one of the Devils’ best of the season.
“It was a great atmosphere,” Gilbert said. “We’ve experience some games like that in sectionals and regionals. Hopefully, a game like this will help us in the (state) tourney.”
Katy McIntosh led Austin with 26 points and went over 2,000 for her career.
“She went wild in the first half and we some adjustments on her in the second half,” Gilbert said.
The Red Devils host Providence Thursday in their regular-season finale.
• Highlanders remain unbeaten: For at least one half on Saturday, Providence played with Class 4A, No. 2 Floyd Central at Robert I. Larkin Arena.
The Highlanders led 19-16 at the end of one quarter and 37-27 at the half before pulling away with an 18-3 third quarter.
“What I told the kids before the game was, I didn’t know what the final score was going to be, but they should just play hard and enjoy the atmosphere,” Providence coach Brad Burden said. “We stood toe-to-toe with them for the first half and played hard the entire game. Even in a loss, this should give us confidence going into the sectional.”
Jennifer Smith led Floyd with 25 points. Brigid Morrissey and Camry Hinton were also in double figures for the Highlanders. They had 12 and 10, respectively.
For the Pioneers, Megan Eve hit four 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 17 points. She and sophomore Abby Swartz each had seven rebounds. Callie Ash added five points and a team-high five assists.
Floyd (19-0) travels to Columbus East on Tuesday with its first outright Hoosier Hills Conference title on the line. The Pioneers (6-12) travels to Lanesville on Tuesday and to Jeffersonville on Thursday.
BOYS BASKETBALL
• 3-poin barrage lifts Clarksville: Clarksville (6-8) hit 10 3-pointers and outscored Southwestern 18-13 in the third quarter to earn a 72-69 road win over Southwestern (5-8).
Billy Edelen and Zach Edelman hit three 3s apiece.
Despite the shooting outburst, Generals’ assistant coach Jim Matthews said his team won with its defense, which forced 21 Rebel turnovers.
“It was a great team win,” Matthews said. “We were very consistent offensively, and the big key was our defensive pressured. We turned them over, and when we didn’t, our half-court defense really bothered them.”
Freshman Aidan McEwen led all scorers with 22 points. Edelen, a sophomore, added 12.
The Generals, who have won three straight for the first time this season, hosts Class 2A, No. 1 Brownstown Central on Friday.
