Things didn’t go as hoped for the Seymour boys basketball team on its senior night.
Class 3A powerhouse Silver Creek jumped to a big lead early as it went on to win 66-32 on Friday.
At the start of the game, all five Owls seniors started the game: Anthony Rork, Ty Christensen, Isaiah Thomas, Zach Schlatterer and Quenton Stoner.
“They’ve meant a lot,” Seymour coach Kyle Clough said. “It’s tough tonight because I didn’t think we played up to what we can. That’s a darn good team over there (Silver Creek). Those five seniors have meant so much. They’ve grinded it out out here. They’ve had some tough games and seasons the past few years: but they just keep fighting. They love each other and we’re going to miss them.”
The Dragons opened the contest on a 13-0 run by the 2:24 mark behind five points from Gabe Bauer.
Thomas ended the Dragons run with a pair of made free throws with 1:55 left in the first quarter.
With one minute on the clock, Thomas netted the Owls’ first field goal of the game to bring the score to 15-4.
Freshman Alan Perry drilled a 3-pointer from the corner with 30 seconds left, but the Owls would trail 15-7 headed into the second period.
In the first quarter, the Owls turned the ball over seven times.
Seymour junior Toriek Miller hit a 3-pointer on his team’s first possession of the second quarter, and Isaiah Thomas added a basket at 6:28 to narrow the deficit to 18-12 in favor of Silver Creek.
The two teams traded baskets the rest of the way as the Dragons led 29-20 at halftime.
Following the break, the Dragons went on a 6-0 run behind three different scorers.
The Owls scored only five points in the third quarter, all from Thomas.
A lack of offense hurt the Owls in the third, as they trailed 44-25 going into the final quarter.
The Dragons went on a 10-0 run until Stoner broke the streak with a converted and-one opportunity with 3:18 left in the game.
Holding onto a 54-28 lead, the Dragons coasted the rest of the way and emptied their bench.
Thomas led the Owls with 11 points and three rebounds.
Gabe Bauer finished the high-man for the Dragons with 15 points.
“I’m proud of (Thomas) tonight,” Clough said. “I think Christian Reed is one of the best big-guys we’ve seen in (Class) 3A or 4A. I though Isaiah was fantastic going toe-to-toe defensively — as good has he’s been all year. Offensively, he was able to attack and get him into a little foul trouble.”
At the end of the night the Owls turned the ball over 20 times to the Dragons’ eight giveaways.
“Give them a lot of credit, they’re one of the best defensive teams in the state,” Clough said. “I thought we did a nice job of battling back after a slow start and really played some quality basketball in the second quarter. Their defense got to us and they got some run-outs. They’re strong on the run and tough in the half court.”
On Tuesday, the Owls (8-13) will host New Albany in the first round of sectional.
“I really think it was a lot more them than it was us, (Silver Creek) is going to be a tough team,” Clough said. “It was a good experience, and test, for us going into Tuesday’s sectional.”