Sheridan coach Bill Bowen talks with his team during a timeout at the Blackhawks’ sectional championship game with Lapel Saturday, March 7 at Elwood. (Richie Hall)
By RICHIE HALL
ELWOOD – Sheridan’s spectacular season came to an end on Saturday, March 7.
The Blackhawks played Lapel in the championship game of Sectional 38 at Elwood. Sheridan did its best to stay with the Bulldogs before they pulled away in the third quarter and rode the momentum to a 77-54 win.
Sheridan’s Chance Spencer prepares to
inbound the ball. (Dwight Casler)
Lapel won its first sectional title in eight years, while the Blackhawks finished with a 19-5 record, easily their best mark in decades.
The Bulldogs led 25-16 after one quarter. Sheridan got as close as two points twice during the second quarter. The Hawks went on a 7-0 run to get within 25-23, with Desh Donathan scoring four points and Devon Hamilton the other three.
Liam Ko scored Lapel’s first basket of the second quarter with 4:20 left, but Page answered that with a layin, keeping Sheridan within 27-25. But the Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run, which Hamilton ended with two free throws right before halftime, making the score 34-27 at the break.
Page scored five points to start the third quarter, including a triple to keep the Blackhawks within 41-32. After that, Lapel went on a 17-3 run to take control of the game. The Bulldogs led 58-35 before Hamilton made a jump shot right before the end of the quarter.
“They are really good,” said Sheridan coach Bill Bowen. “They’re good in every phase of the game.”
Lapel entered the fourth period ahead 58-37 and the margin stayed around 20 points for the entire quarter. Page added seven more points during the fourth.
Page finished the game with 23 points, including five 3-pointers. Hamilton added 12 points, with Jax Peerman scoring 10 and dishing out six assists.
“Super proud of the Blackhawks,” said Bowen. “We didn’t play our best game, but again, that has a lot to do with the opponent. Our kids battled, they gave effort, just wasn’t enough tonight. That’s a really good team.”
Semifinal game
Sheridan held off Taylor 67-66 in an overtime semifinal game on Friday, March 6.
The Titans led 13-12 after one quarter and 28-27 at halftime. Taylor jumped ahead 43-35 midway through the third quarter and led 50-45 going into the fourth.
Chance Spencer scored back-to-back baskets in midway through the fourth to push Sheridan ahead 54-52. Taylor came back to lead 58-54, but Page’s 3-pointer tied the game at 59-59 with under a minute left. Sheridan took the lead in the overtime and Hamilton made a layin to help seal the win.
Page scored 20 points, draining six 3-pointers. Hamilton had 19 points and five rebounds, with Donathan scoring 11 points. Peerman dished out seven assists, while Spencer finished with 10 rebounds and seven assists.
