By KEVIN HARRIS
The Providence boys’ basketball team started its season on a positive note on Saturday night at the Larkin Center, defeating Indianapolis Metropolitan 57-35.
Senior forward Jake Koetter led the Pioneers with 11 points, collecting all of his points at the free-throw line with an 11-of-12 performance. Providence freshman A.J. Schmidt had a solid high school debut, also scoring 11 points. Schmidt scored nine in the third quarter, when the Pioneers outscored Metropolitan 17-7 to go up 40-22.
Providence senior guard Tucker Coots played all 32 minutes, dishing out a team-high eight assists. The Pioneers shot 27-of-40 from the stripe.
“It was a disjointed game for both teams,” Providence head coach Lou Lefevre said. “Tucker did a very good job.”
The Pioneers will travel to Austin on Friday.
• Hornets lose in Loogootee Classic final: Henryville suffered a 63-51 loss to host Loogootee in the championship game of the Loogootee Classic.
Senior Skyler Brooks led the Hornets (1-2) with 17 points, while teammate Cory Munk had 15.
Henryville won in the first round against Northeast Dubois, 69-63. The Hornets will host Christian Academy of Indiana on Tuesday.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
• Mustangs win third straight: Callie Burgin posted a double-double to lead New Washington to its third consecutive victory, beating visiting Scottsburg 55-44.
The senior forward scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. She also made four steals.
Mustang senior Emma Burgin, Burgin’s cousin, had 13 points. Sophomore Casey Johnson added 11 points, nailing three 3-pointers.
“We got off to a slow start at the beginning. But we went on a run in the third quarter and were able to take the lead,” New Washington assistant coach Kirsti Holloway said.
The Mustangs (4-1) will host Borden on Tuesday.
• Pioneers fall at Brownstown: Visiting Providence had just one player score in double figures in a 73-43 setback at Brownstown.
Junior Megan Eve paced the Pioneers (0-5) with 13 points.
“We continue to turn the ball over too much,” Providence head coach Brad Burden said. “Still, we’re young and we’ll keep battling and we still need to work on some things.”
The Pioneers are off until Dec. 10 when they will host Silver Creek.
