MARENGO — All week, it appeared that the Silver Creek Dragons were on the verge of snapping their nine-year sectional-title drought.

They looked poised and determined in victories over Charlestown and Crawford County in their first two games of the Class 3A Crawford County Sectional and for the majority of Saturday’s sectional final against Salem.

But in the end, the Dragons simply ran out of gas.

Salem, coached by former Charlestown player Hank Weedin, scored eight critical points in the final minutes of regulation to win its first sectional since 2003, 47-44.

It was the second straight year Silver Creek (13-10) has lost in the 3A sectional final. Last season, the Dragons fell to Charlestown, 63-57.

“It didn’t seem like we had the energy that we did (Friday against Crawford),” said Silver Creek coach John Bradley, who fell short of winning his first sectional championship in his 23-year head-coaching career. “We played a rough game and they played a rough game (Friday) night.”

The Dragons got off to a solid start, hitting seven of their first 14 shots to lead 17-9 after the first quarter. But the Lions (19-4) tied the game at 24 at halftime by outscoring Creek 15-7 in the second period. The Dragons struggled to get shots to fall against Salem’s 1-3-1 zone defense.

“We knew that was coming,” Bradley said. “We actually got good looks. We got the ball where we wanted. But it just didn’t go down.”

The game was nip-and-tuck throughout the second half. The score remained deadlocked at 34 at the end of the third, and Silver Creek’s Michael Bradley nailed his third 3-pointer of the contest to force a 39-39 tie with about 2:30 left in the fourth.

But a 10-foot bank shot by Robert Baker and two free throws by Rhett Huffaker in a one-and-one situation gave Salem its largest lead of the game at 43-39 with 37 seconds left.

Silver Creek’s Spencer Robinson answered with a 3-point play to trim the deficit to 43-42. After both teams traded a pair of free throws, senior Michael Baird hit two foul shots with seven seconds remaining to put Salem up 47-44.

Robinson had a shot to tie the game. He took the inbounds pass at the far end of the court and dribbled to the 3-point arc, but he missed a leaning trey attempt as time expired.

“The whole key to this ballgame was they eliminated our transition baskets,” said Coach Bradley, whose team shot 36 percent from the field. “They did a great job of mixing their defenses up. We struggled shooting the ball tonight — and that’s the name of the game.

“What I liked about the game was we didn’t quit. We still had a chance with one second on the clock.”

Robinson paced the Dragons with 18 points, and Michael Bradley wound up with 12. Gunner Erwin led the Lions with 13 points.

Silver Creek loses five seniors in Robinson, Nick Townsend, Will McCall, Matt Bonniville and Dylan Coats.

“Throughout their four years, we had some good times and bad times. But you’re going to have that with every team,” Coach Bradley said. “All these kids are going to be successful in life. All of them are going to come back to the Silver Creek and Sellersburg area, and they are going to be a viable part of our community. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if they get into coaching.”

Salem will face defending state champion Washington in the first semifinal of the Washington Regional next Saturday.



CLASS 3A CRAWFORD COUNTY SECTIONAL

CHAMPIONSHIP

SALEM 9 15 10 13—47

SILVER CREEK 17 7 10 10—44

Salem (19-4) — Erwin 13, Baird 9, Baker 8, Hayes 5, Holstine 4, Busick 3, Huffaker 3, Martin 2.

Silver Creek (13-10) — Robinson 18, Bradley 12, Eckert 5, Townsend 5, Jackson 4, Bonniville 0, McCall 0.

Three-point field goals — Salem 2 (Baird, Erwin); Silver Creek 5 (Bradley 3, Eckert, Robinson).

Rebounds — Salem 38 (Baird 9); Silver Creek 28 (Eckert, McCall, Townsend 7).

Turnovers — Salem 12, Silver Creek 10.