By JON REITER
JEFFERSONVILLE - When a basketball program has compiled as many wins as the Jeffersonville girls’ basketball squad has over the last several years, they’re bound to come in all kinds.
The Red Devils’ 56-42 victory Tuesday night in Johnson Arena was a grind-it-out affair where the hosts finally put some distance between themselves and the Warriorettes (8-9) midway through the fourth quarter.
In doing so, No. 4A Jeffersonville improved to 18-1 heading into Saturday night’s showdown at Class 2A No. 2 Austin, which sports an identical 18-1 record.
“I thought we were a little out of sync tonight, but our kids did a good job of hanging in there,” Jeffersonville coach Chad Gilbert said. “We missed a lot of easy shots we normally hit, and attribute that to their defense.”
The Warriors scored the first five points of the contest following a three-pointer by Courtney Means and a 17-foot baseline jumper from forward Darion Hutchinson, who led Scottsburg with 14 points.
The Devils climbed into the lead for good by scoring six points over the next 90 seconds behind a three-pointer from Brooklyn Kinnard, a steal and layup by Shanice Gholson and a free-throw from Jalynn McClain.
But Jeffersonville struggled to take control of the matchup during the first half and only led 24-22 at the half. The score was 30-25 Jeffersonville when Lakin Roland drove to the basket and scored over two Scottsburg defenders and Kinnard, after a steal, followed with another three-pointer with 4:32 left in the game.
The Red Devils would maintain a double-digit lead for the remainder of the contest, and were never seriously threatened after that.
McClain led Jeffersonville with 19 points and nine rebounds and Kinnard’s 16-point night included 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range.
“She was catching the ball and finding it within her rhythm,” Gilbert said of Kinnard. “When we’re able to do that we’ve got some kids who can really shoot the ball.”
The Warriorettes struggled with Jeffersonville’s defensive pressure all evening, committing 21 turnovers, including 14 in the second half.
Saturday night’s game at Austin tips off at 7:30 p.m.
Scottsburg 11 11 11 9—42
Jeffersonville 14 10 23 9—56
Scottsburg (8-9) — Burch 7, Means 3, Wampler 5, Norton 7, Hutchinson 14, Dawson 6, Casteel 0, Nowlin 0.
Jeffersonville (18-1) — Kinnard 16, Williams 2, Roland 6, McClain 19, Valentine 0, Gholson 8, Samuel 5, Eckert 0, Falkenstein 0.
Three-point goals: Scottsburg 3 (Burch, Means, Norton); Jeffersonville 4 (Kinnard 4)
Rebounds: Scottsburg 26 (Wampler 10); Jeffersonville 29 (McClain 9)
Turnovers: Scottsburg 21, Jeffersonville 9.
Junior Varsity
Scottsburg 23 (5-8-3-7): Nowlin 2, Elliott 2, Perkinson 3, Barber 2, Casteel 2, Williams 2, Wampler 3. Jeffersonville (0-17-13-15): Midgett 6, Falkenstein 16, Roberson 9, Witherspoon 4, Brendle 2, Tarver 7, Hines 1.
