The Switzerland County Pacer boys varsity basketball team made the long trip to Seymour on Friday night to take on Trinity Lutheran, but the cold temperatures didn’t damper the hot shooting, as the Pacers earned their first win of the season, 59-58.
As the final score indicated, it was a tight game throughout the contest, as neither team was willing to allow the other to move out to a big lead.
In the first quarter, Switzerland County was hot right out of the shoot, scoring 17 points. Austin South and Damian Breeck each led the way with five points – both making a three-pointer and adding a field goal – while Kyle Whitham got rolling with a pair of field goals. Justin Chatham had a basket; and Tyler Konkle contributed a freethrow to the total.
Trinity Lutheran got its offense rolling with A.J. Goecker scoring sixth points and Josh Rowe had four; and the Cougars finished the first eight minutes with 15 points, trailing the Pacers by two.
Switzerland County saw its offense slow down a bit in the second quarter, scoring 10 points; but the defense stayed strong, holding the Cougars to just 11 points to take a 27-26 lead into the halftime break.
Whitham had five points in the quarter to lead the way for the Pacers; while South had two more field goals for four points and Konkle had another freethrow.
Goecker kept up his big night for Trinity Lutheran, scoring seven more points in the period.
With a separation of just a single point after one half of play, the game got even more tight in the third stanza, as Trinity Lutheran scored 16 points in the third while Switzerland County accounted for 15 – sending the game to the fourth quarter tied at 42-42.
Konkle was big in the third for Coach Adam Dennis’ squad, accounting for six points on a field goal and four freethrows; while Beeck had another three-pointer and added a field goal for five points. South and Whitham each had two points over the eight minute span.
The Cougars got six more points from Goecker, and guard Trent Shoemaker also had six points in the quarter on two three-pointers.
The final stanza was just as close, with both teams trading buckets; but in the end the Pacers dug deep and earned their first victory of the season, 59-58.
In that final quarter, Whitham took control, scoring seven points on two field goals and three freethrows; and South had six points on two field goals and a couple of freethrows. Konkle had the other four points on two buckets; and the defense stood strong at the end to earn the win.
The offense for Switzerland County was keyed by four players in double figures, led by South with 17. Whitham had 16 in the game; while Konkle had 12 and Breeck finished with 10. Chatham ended the game with two points.
Goecker led Trinity Lutheran with 19 points; while Shoemaker was also in double figures, finishing with 16.
The Pacers now turn their sights to a pair of tournaments: the JCIT at Madison Consolidated High School tomorrow (Friday, December 22nd) and Saturday; and then after hosting Seymour High School on Saturday, December 30th; its Rivertown Classic time. The Pacers will play South Dearborn at South Dearborn High School in the first game on Thursday, January 4th. The game will begin at 6 p.m.