SELLERSBURG — On the eve of the country feast, Silver Creek tried to be the gracious host, allowing North Harrison to repeatedly come back to the table for more.

But in the end, the Dragons won their Mid-Southern conference opener, 51-43 over the visiting Cats.

Silver Creek is now 3-1 on the season while North Harrison falls to 2-3 and 0-2 in the MSC.

The Dragons looked as if they were ready to put the win on ice as they took a 43-30 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but a quick 8-0 run by North Harrison put the Cats back in contention.

Emily Clayton, who scored a team high 17 points, answered with her only points of the final quarter to start a 6-0 Silver Creek run. From there, it would get no closer than six points.

“We kept letting them back in the game, but this early in the year that’s not a big concern,” Silver Creek coach Scott Schoen said. “The big thing for me tonight was that I saw glimpses of how we can play and we’re going to build on that.

“This is who we are. We’re not going to blow people out. Hopefully we’ll make it tough for you to score. We’re not flashy. Let’s just get the job done.”

Silver Creek struggled from the field in the early going as it hit just 1 of its 11 first quarter shots. From there, they picked it up well finishing at 20 of 49 for 41 percent.

Alex Tinsley also turned in a strong game for the Dragons as she finished with 16 points.

Kasey Kelley led North Harrison with a game high 18 points.

Silver Creek responded well despite Clayton and Tinsley having their problems in the early going.  Clayton had just two points and Tinsley just three — all from the free throw line — as Silver creek led 7-6 after a quarter.

“Emily struggled early but just her presence on the floor means so much to us and she has to realize that,” said Schoen. “Overall, I thought that it was one of her better games.”

It was a Clayton basket leading off the second quarter that started the Dragons on a 10-2 run. Silver Creek led 24-15 at halftime.

“My shot hasn’t been falling for three games now,” Clayton said. “But I know that I have to score. “Everyone else is trying to get me the ball, they’re doing a great job. Right now, winning is all that matters.”

Silver Creek will host Clarksville in another MSC contest next Wednesday.



SILVER CREEK 51, NORTH HARRISON 43

North Harrison    6   9 13 15—43

Silver Creek         7 17 13 14—51

    North Harrison (2-3, 0-2 MSC): Gott 7, Book 4, Lambert 7, Kelley 18, Knight 6, Chiquito 1, Neal 0, Burson 0, Elliott 0, Naegele 0.

    Silver Creek (3-1, 1-0): Jamros 1, Clayton 17, McFarland 3, Tinsley 16, Scott 8, Toby 6, B. Barnett 0, A. Barnett 0, Molck 0, Martin 0.

    3-Point Goals: North Harrison 1 (Gott); Silver Creek 1 (Tinsley).

    Rebounds: North Harrison 28 (Knight, Book 7); Silver Creek 38 (Scott 9).

    Turnovers: North Harrison 19; Silver Creek 21.

    Free Throws: North Harrison 8-14; Silver Creek 10-18.

    Junior Varsity: Silver Creek 36, North Harrison 25.