BOYS' BASKETBALL: Providence wins third straight, 53-45 over Silver Creek

BY GREG MENGELT

CLARKSVILLE — In a game that featured teams that appear to be heading in opposite directions, Providence won its third straight game over Silver Creek at Robert I. Larkin Center on Tuesday, 53-45.

Since Silver Creek won the Silver Creek Holiday Tournament on Dec. 30, Providence has won four of five, while the Dragons have dropped four straight.

“Without a doubt, this was our best team win,” Pioneer coach Lou Lefevre said. “The last game (a 48-37 win over Henryville) was our first good game. This was our second good game. It was a nice win against a good rival.”

Providence led 11-10 after one quarter — thanks to eight points and an assist from A.J. Schmidt. A minute and a half into the second quarter, a Cody Jackson field goal tied the score at 16 apiece.

In the next six minutes, the Pioneers outscored the Dragons 9-0, including a four-point play by Schmidt.

“I thought that was a really gutsy second quarter by our team,” Lefevre said. “The kids made some tough-minded offensive plays, and that charged up our defense. We have a young team, and they played like seniors. We were making shots and playing defense and we were all over the boards.”

“That was a big key right there,” Silver Creek coach John Bradley said of the 9-0 run. “We made too many turnovers, and our possessions were one pass and a shot, and they capitalized on it.”

After an even third quarter that saw the Pioneers lead 38-30, the Dragons made a run behind sophomore Zach Ricketts — who had four points and three steals in the third quarter then opened the fourth with a field goal.

Down 38-32, Michael Bradley had two free throws to try to cut the lead for four points. After he missed both, Jacob Wethington grabbed the rebound and found a wide open Bryce Very for a layup and a four-point swing.

“That’s nothing I’ve ever talked about,” Lefevre admitted. “That was nice recognition. That gave us a lift.”

The Dragons cut the lead to five at 45-40 with 2:21 left when on an Anthony Everage 3-point play, but after the play a Dragon was called for a technical foul for yelling at an official. Schmidt hit both free throws and the Pioneers led 47-40.

After Michael Bradley hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 47-43, Bryce Very hit 1-of-2 foul shots. The rebound was tipped out of bounds and the ball was awarded to Providence. When John Bradley came on to the floor to argue the call, he was assessed the team’s second technical foul. This time, Schmidt hit 1-of-2 from the line to boost the Pioneers’ lead to 49-43.

“That typified how we played tonight,” Bradley said of allowing a layup off of missed free throws and the technical fouls. “We lost our mental focus and our attention to detail.”

Providence then went 4-for-6 from the foul line to put the game away.

“That’s the first time this year that we hit our free throws (down the stretch),” Lefevre said. “We were going to let it slip away if we didn’t do that.”

A.J. Schmidt led the Pioneers with 21 points. He also had five rebounds, three assists and three steals and went 10 for 13 from the foul line in what Lefevre called the sophomore’s best game of the season.

“Up until now, he hasn’t played up to my expectations,” Lefevre said. “Hopefully, tonight was a nice start for him. He was around the rim and drew fouls. This was more of the kind of game I expect from him.”

John Bradley said the play of Ricketts and Everage was the only positives the Dragons can take away from the contest. Ricketts finished with six points, four rebounds — including three offensive — three steals and an assist. Everage scored 11 points and grabbed 10 boards.

“I thought Ricketts was really tough, and I’m encourage with the play of Anthony Everage,” he said. “(Everage) wants to win bad. He has a strong desire to win.”

As for the four-game losing streak, Bradley said: “We’ve got to turn this ship around. I think we can do it.”

Providence (6-6) goes to Christian Academy of Indiana on Friday for a contest with the 1-13 Warriors. Meanwhile, the Dragons (7-6) will try to snap the streak at home against 5-7 Madison on the same night.



SILVER CREEK 10 6 14 15—45

PROVIDENCE 11 14 13 15—53

Silver Creek (7-6) — Meyer 4, Sturgeon 1, Eckert 3, Bradley 9, Everage 15, Jackson 7, Ricketts 6.

Providence (6-6) — R. Schmidt 8, A. Schmidt 21, Very 14, Wethington 3, B. Schmidt 5, Knott 2.

3-point field goals — Silver Creek 3 (Bradley 2, Jackson); Providence 7 (A. Schmidt 3, R. Schmidt 2, Very, B. Schmidt).

Rebounds — Silver Creek 30 (Everage 10); Providence 23 (A. Schmidt 6).

Turnovers — Silver Creek 14, Providence 14.

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