SOUTHMONT BOYS' BASKETBALL SECTIONAL: Eagles bitten by Wolves

Drawing multiple defenders, South Putnam Griffin Garner (right) flicks a pass back to teammate Austen Branem (22) for a jumper during Friday night's Southmont Sectional semifinal against Parke Heritage. The Eagles stayed close for a half but eventually faded against the Wolves, falling 65-40.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

NEW MARKET – The only time all season that Parke Heritage won while making fewer than seven three-pointers was against South Putnam Dec. 17.

It happened again Friday as the Wolves made just six but went on to the Class 2A Sectional No. 44 final with a 65-40 victory over the Eagles.

South started out quick, jumping out to a 5-0 lead, behind a three from Drew Hill and a strong take from Griffin Garner.

The rest of the quarter belonged to the Wolves. Sophomore Brayden Luce hit a pair of threes and the Wolves defense forced six turnovers to roll off a 17-point run to close out the first with a 17-5 lead.

The Eagles settled down, committing only one turnover in the second. Their offense got going from beyond the arc.

Hill hit a pair, Austen Branam added another and Wyatt Mullin had one three as South got the lead down to five multiple time, but could never get closer. With the half winding down, Renn Harper gave the Wolves a boost with a three of his own to make it 31-23 at the break.

South stayed within contact for the first portion of the third. Branam and Mullin each hit another three in that stretch to stay within six.

Parke Heritage then would lean on guards Treigh Schelsky and Luce as they combined for 14 points in the quarter. The Wolves’ pressure defense seemed to take its toll about this time as they extended the advantage to 13 at 44-31 going to the final period.

A quick 6-0 spurt by the Wolves to start the fourth made it a 19-point lead. They would not look back from there, spreading the floor and getting to the basket.

The fatigue started showing its effect as the Eagles had no answer this time, going just 3-of-13 from the field down the stretch. Parke Heritage would go on to the 65-40 victory, advancing to the title game against North Putnam Saturday night.

“We found some rhythm in the second quarter which was good to see. We couldn’t sustain anything in the second half. We started the third OK and then just could not get stops when we needed to. They are tough to guard in general. A lot of credit to (Parke Heritage head coach Rich) Schelsky and his crew, they are a really good team,” said Eagle coach Kyle Swafford.

Branam and Hill led the attack with 13 points apiece while Mullin added 10. Mullin also added seven rebounds.

Schelsky ended with 21 points for the Wolves while Luce was also in double figures with 13. Seven players got into the scoring column for Parke Heritage.

South ends its season at an even 11-11. Parke Heritage is now 17-9 on the season.

Team Stats

Individual Scoring

(SP) Hill 13, Branam 13, Mullin 10, Gardner 4 (PH) Schelsky 21, Luce 13, Tidwell 9, Dowd 8, Carrington 5, Harper 5, Cosby 3