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SOUTHMONT BOYS' BASKETBALL SECTIONAL: Clovers run out of steam as Panthers advance
NEW MARKET – Tournament play in Indiana high school basketball is just different.
The intensity is higher, physicality is tougher, pressure is more intense and that was evident in the Game No. 3 of the Class 2A Sectional 44 contest between the Cloverdale Clovers and Riverton Parke Panthers. The Panthers advanced with a 43-37 victory over the Clovers to take on North Putnam in Friday night’s semifinal.
Intensity and pressure do not always lead to great play but normally leads to exciting basketball and this game was no different. After an offensively-slow first half, the two teams sped up the play in the second half with the Panthers using a big third quarter to take a lead, then thwart a Clover rally to improve to 10-14 on the season, while the Clovers’ season ended at 2-22.
“There is that old adage about ‘leaving it all out on the court’ and there is no doubt that the Cloverdale players did that. The starters played all but about one minute tonight and they worked so hard. It is just frustrating that they weren’t rewarded with a win,” Cloverdale head coach Karl Turk said of his squad missing two key pieces of their team out with injury.
The start of the game was less than stellar offensively as the two teams struggled to get the ball into the basket. Cloverdale’s Levi Johnson and Noah Betz hit three-pointers for the only points the Clovers managed in the first quarter, but Riverton Parke could only get six points of its own as the teams were tied at 6-6 after one period of play.
The Panthers seemed frustrated as they could not get many open looks and then when they did, they did not take advantage.
“Their coaches (Riverton Parke) even said ‘you guys know our plays better than we do. Even our manager was calling out their plays. That is testament to how hard our coaches work in scouting. This team worked at that,” Turk said.
The second quarter was no better offensively and even less productive for the Clovers. Cloverdale managed just one basket and two points, by Garrett Monnett, as the Panthers were able to get a couple of shots to go down and led 11-8 at halftime.
Both teams combined to shoot just 8-of-45 from the floor in that first half.
“We just can’t get any shots to go down,” Turk said.
Riverton Parke started pressing to increase the pace of the game and the offenses seemed to come to life in the third quarter. Riverton Parke was able to go on a 9-0 run late in the period, but that run was ended by a Betz breakaway dunk. The late run allowed the Panthers to take a 30-23 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Panthers had as many points (19) in the third quarter alone, as the teams had combined in the first half. Cloverdale hit a solid 7-of-11 shots, but turnovers hurt it, committing seven third-quarter turnovers to offset its improved shooting.
“We had several turnovers that were not forced. Sometimes we made passes that were not what we want to do,” Turk said.
Riverton Parke seemed to take charge as a Panther layup gave them a 36-23 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Cloverdale rallied in a hurry.
Levi Johnson hit a layup and then Betz heated up, scoring eight-straight points, and then a beautiful reverse layup by Monnett brought the Clovers back to withing one point, 36-35, but the rally was squelched as Matthew Mullins got to the basket for an old-fashioned three-point play.
That play would be the killer as the Clovers could not get any closer and the Panthers would knock some free throws late to get the 43-37 victory.
Mullins would lead the Panthers with 14 points, while Betz led the Clovers with 20 points, 13 rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals.
“Noah was really good tonight. He got himself going with rebounding the basketball in the first half. He got his first dunk, which he will always remember. He will have to take that into next year and continue to get better,” Turk said. “I wish for these kids that the season did not have to end. The game is supposed to be fun and they really started having fun late in the year.”
| Cloverdale | 6 | 2 | 15 | 14 | 37 |
| Riverton Parke | 6 | 5 | 19 | 13 | 43 |
CLOVERDALE (37) – Jackson 0-4 0-0 0, Monnett 4-7 0-0 8, Lee 0-6 0-0 0, Betz 8-14 0-0 20, Johnson 4-12 0-0 9, Bates 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 16-43 FG, 0-0 FT, 37 TP.
RIVERTON PARKE (43) – Mullins 4-10 6-7 14, Robins 2-7 0-0 5, Todd 3-5 0-0 6, Hazzard 3-13 0-1 7, Hines 3-13 0-0 7, Hopton 2-6 0-0 4. Totals 17-54 FG, 6-8 FT, 43 TP.
3-point shooting – CHS 5-21 (Jackson 0-2, Monnett 0-2, Lee 0-2, Betz 4-9, Johnson 1-6), RP 3-18 (Mullins 0-4, Robins 1-3, Hazzard 1-2, Hines 1-5, Hopton 0-4). Rebounds – CHS 30 (Jackson 5, Monnett 1, Lee 3, Betz 13, Johnson 5) RP – 31 (Mullins 6, Robins 4, Todd 8, Hines 9, Hopton 3) FG Pct. – CHS 37.2, RP 31.5. FT Pct. – CHS 0.0, RP 75.0. Turnovers – CHS 21, RP 12.