Sheridan’s Desh Donathan scored 10 points for the Blackhawks during their Tuesday win over Southmont. (Richie Hall)
Sheridan is 9-2 after first half of season
By RICHIE HALL
SHERIDAN – Don’t blink too much if you’re watching the Sheridan boys basketball team this season. You might miss something.
The Blackhawks are putting together another strong season. Sheridan’s record improved to 9-2 on Tuesday after the Hawks defeated Southmont 63-43 at Larry Hobbs Hall. This is the second consecutive year that Sheridan has finished the first half of the season at 9-2.
Just like last season, the Blackhawks’ offensive numbers are solid. Sheridan is averaging 67 points per game, with consistent scoring from seniors Devon Hamilton and Jax Peerman, and junior Trey Page, who led the Hawks with 20 points in their victory over the Mounties.
Bill Bowen, now in his fourth year coaching Sheridan, said that up-tempo style is what the team wants to play.
“We want to play with place, both in the full court and we’re working on trying to play with a little more pace on the half-court, too,” said Bowen.
The Blackhawks outscored Southmont in each of the four quarters, leading 20-13 after the first period. Page scored 11 points in that quarter, nailing three 3-pointers. Hamilton stepped up in the second quarter with six points, helping Sheridan to a 35-24 halftime lead.
The Hawks continued to roll in the third quarter to take a 50-33 advantage going into the fourth. Page added another seven points. Hamilton scored another five in the fourth quarter.
“We had three in double figures tonight,” said Bowen. “If we play with the pace we were talking about, you’re going to score more. That’s what we want to do. It’s just more shots, more people get to score, more people are involved.”
Sheridan began its season 6-0. That streak included three Hoosier Heartland Conference wins over Clinton Prairie, Clinton Central and Eastern, as well as a key non-conference win over Class 3A Frankfort. The Blackhawks are in 2A.
After a setback against Liberty Christian, Sheridan claimed big HHC victories over Tri-Central and Rossville before falling to 3A Lebanon 61-54 on Friday, Jan. 16.
But the Blackhawks rebounded on Tuesday. After Page’s 20 points, Hamilton scored 15 points. Desh Donathan added 10 points, giving Sheridan three double-digit scorers.
Bowen said his team has “several different pieces” that can go different ways for the Hawks. For example, when Southmont subbed out its 6-6 forward Austin Foley, “we went smaller and a little bit more athletic,” said Bowen.
Sheridan will put its undefeated conference record on the line Friday when it hosts Delphi at 7:30 p.m. Next up will be Taylor on Jan. 30 in another HHC contest. The Titans are 3-1 in HHC play.
“We got to bring out ‘A’ game on Friday,” said Bowen.
