Pacers battle through
injuries, fall to Rebels
Good news became bad news last Friday night when the Switzerland County Pacer boys varsity basketball team traveled to Hanover to take on the Southwestern Rebels.
The good news was that the Pacers saw sophomore Cam Craig return to action after missing 10 games while rehabbing an injured foot.
The bad new was that Craig apparently re-injured the foot during Friday’s game, and is now most like facing surgery and being out the remainder of the season.
Switzerland County also continues to miss starting guard Bradley Romans, who has been out with a medical issue, as well.
And, in the midst of that — Coach Travis Wrightsman’s Pacers battled with all of their mite against the conference leading Rebels, but eventually fell by a score of 62-48.
Switzerland County and Southwestern played a close first quarter, with the Pacers scoring 14 points while the Rebels had 15.
Canaan Johnson had a three-pointer and a field goal in the first for five points; while Cooper Todd had two field goals for four points.
Dylan Sullivan had a bucket and a freethrow for three points; and Jacob Williams added a basket for two points.
Peyton Cloud led Southwestern in the first with two three-pointers for six points.
The second quarter saw the Rebels (13-2) begin to expand its lead, as the Rebels scored 14 points and Switzerland County had 10.
The Pacers in the second saw Todd hit a three-pointer; while Williams and Craig each had baskets. Canaan Johnson converted a pair of freethrows; and Aiden Griffith had a point on a freethrow.
The teams went to the half with Southwestern in front, 29-24.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Rebel offense exploded, putting up 23 points over the eight minute span — while Switzerland County answered with 12.
Craig led the Pacers in the third, scoring eight points on a field goal, a three-pointer, and he was 3-for-4 from the freethrow line.
Williams and Sullivan each had buckets to account for the remaining Pacer points.
Peyton Gwin had eight points in the third to lead Southwestern; while Cloud had five more.
Heading into the final quarter down by 16, 52-36, Switzerland County again posted 12 points in the fourth; while Southwestern scored 10 points.
Kadyn Riley had the hot hand for the Pacers in the fourth, making a pair of three-pointers for six points; and Williams wrapped a steady game with two more baskets for four points. Griffith also had a bucket for two points.
At the final horn, the Rebels held a 62-48 advantage over the Pacers.
Craig and Williams led the way for Switzerland County, as each finished in double figures with 10 points apiece.
Todd and Canaan Johnson each had seven points; Sullivan had five; Riley had six; and Griffith had three.
Gwin led Southwestern with 19 points; and Cloud was in double figures, scoring 17 points.
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In the junior varsity game, Southwestern defeated Switzerland County by a final score of 66-60.
The Pacers saw three players post double figures in scoring, led by Kadyn Riley and Cale Collier with 13 points each. Austin Hemingway joined the duo to make it a trio with 10 points.
Briar Johnson was just outside of double figures, finishing with nine points; while Carson Griffith had eight points in the game. Mason Peelman had seven points.