Switzerland County’s boys varsity basketball team made it three victories in a row Saturday night, defeating Milan 84-57 in a game that saw all 12 Pacers score in the game — five finishing with double figures.
The win followed a Friday night victory over New Washington and continued a streak that started at Southwestern. Saturday’s game saw Switzerland County start fast and never look back, and they overwhelmed the Indians on their home floor.
Josh Reagan got the scoring started with two freethrows, and when Milan’s Derek Pennington matched that with an inside jumper, it looked as though it might be a tight contest.
The Pacers quickly squashed that thought, getting back-to-back three-pointers from B.J. Shelton and Cody Peters, taking the lead for good with six minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Milan did climb back within two at the midway point of the quarter, but Switzerland County again turned on the offense for a 7-4 run behind a three-point play by Mat Deaton, a steal and a layup from Travis Webster, and two freethrows by Mat Deaton to close with a 17-12 lead at the first break.
David McIntosh opened the second period with a basket for Milan, but Travis Webster matched that with a runner in the lane. Derek Pennington then scored on a put back bucket, and with five minutes to play in the half the Switzerland County lead was 19-16.
Again the Pacers went on a run, getting a basket by Josh Reagan; a three-pointer from T.J. Sefton; a basket by Josh Snow; another bucket from Josh Reagan; a three-pointer from Cody Peters; and a third basket by Josh Reagan to outscore the Indians 14-0 over a four-minute explosion that left everyone speechless.
Milan’s Kyle George scored with three seconds to play in the half to calm things momentarily; but Chancey May launched a half court shot at the buzzer that found the range for three points, giving Switzerland County a 36-18 lead.
The offensive rush didn’t stop at the half, as the Pacers came out to start the third period and scored eight straight points — four by Josh Reagan and four by Mat Deaton — and Milan simply had no offensive answer for the outburst.
The Indians did get two freethrows from Derek Pennington to stop the run; but Josh Reagan and Mat Deaton each scored again to fuel the rout; and two Chancey May freethrows kept the offense rolling.
Milan seemed to find its offensive stride at the midway point of the period, scoring seven straight points on a basket and a three-point play by Derek Pennington and a bucket by Rusty Ison, but it was simply too little, too late, as the Pacer offense continued to run up and down the floor.
The end of the third quarter belonged to Josh Snow, as the junior did the dirty work in the paint for Switzerland County, scoring the final six points of the quarter while beating and banging for rebounds.
With a quarter to play, the Pacers held a 56-34 advantage.
Switzerland County kept the pressure up as the final eight minutes got underway, with Josh Snow continuing his impressive play with a basket; followed by a baseline jumper from Josh Reagan and a leaner by Travis Webster.
After Milan got four straight points from Derek Pennington, Chancey May drilled a long three-pointer to keep the lead near 30. A basket by B.J. Shelton was followed by a three-point play from Travis Webster; and Chancey May’s jumper was in front of Cody Peter’s bucket; coach David Todd cleared his bench with a 29-point lead and four minutes to play.
Milan got some baskets at the end to close the gap, but the Pacers got baskets by Ben Hickman, Michael Otter, Ryan Owings, Zach Getz, and Josh Snow to finish off the homestanding Indians, 84-57.
Senior Josh Reagan led the team with 16 points on the night; while Josh Snow had 12; Mat Deaton had 11; and Cody Peters and Chancey May each finished with 10.
Travis Webster contributed nine points in the contest; with B.J. Shelton adding five; T.J. Sefton had three; and Ryan Owings, Michael Otter, Zach Getz, and Ben Hickman all finished with two.
As a team, Switzerland County made 29 two point field goals in the game; and also converted six three-point attempts. The Pacers were also 8-for-10 from the freethrow line.
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In the junior varsity game, it was Switzerland County defeating Milan by a score of 55-40.
Aaron Moore led the Pacers with 16 points in the game; and Zach Getz was also in double figures with 10. Kris Hetrick added seven points; and Jordan Pavy and Josh Snow had six points each. T.J. Sefton had five points; Matt Johnson and Devon Ballard had two points each; and Michael Otter finished with one point.