By Arv Koontz | The Tribune
CROTHERSVILLE
Lanesville opened up a 23-7 lead at the end of the first period and rolled past Crothersville 61-47 Friday night to finish unbeaten in the Southern Athletic Conference with a record of 5-0.
The Eagles (12-9) shared the SAC title last year.
Lanesville’s fast start coupled with the Tigers’ rough beginning is what did them in according to Tigers’ coach Greg Kilgore.
“They’re a good team, but we needed to get off to a better start,” Kilgore said. “We were down 16 points at the end of the first quarter, and we can’t beat teams playing like that.
“We’ve had trouble doing that, not just the last four or five games, including the win over Pekin, but in other games. We’ve got to get off to better starts in ball games against Henryville and Austin, and in the sectional.
“If we get Trinity, West Washington or Edinburgh in the sectional we’ve got to be ready from the opening tip.”
The Eagles started out hot by making 9 of 12 shots in the first quarter to take their early advantage. Connor Nolot scored eight and Ethan Schickel drilled two 3-pointers to spark the Eagles.
The Tigers managed to make only 2 of 12 from the floor in the period.
After Jayden Walls opened the scoring in the second quarter with a 3-pointer, the Eagles came back with a 7-0 run to build their lead to 30-10.
Taylor Tatlock and Walls scored back-to-back baskets for the Tigers for a 30-15 score before the visitors extended their led to 40-21 at the half. Walls scored six points in the second period.
Crothersville made only 7 of 24 shots in the first half while the Eagles made 15 of 26 in the first half.
Lanesville scored the first five points of the quarter to increase its lead to 45-21 and held a 49-32 lead at the end of the third quarter. Spall and Josh Thomas made 3-pointers for the Tigers in the final two minutes of the third period.
Spall topped the Tigers (10-10, 1-3 SAC) with 11, Thomas and Ethan Shirley scored nine each, Walls scored six, Quinten Keasler and Kaedon Bright four each, and Carson Farmer and Taylor Tatlock two each.
Lanesville won the junior varsity game 56-46.
Zach Helt was high scorer for the Tigers with 19 points, Damian Bowman scored 11, Matt Clouse 10 and Zerik Hunt six.
The Tigers will host Henryville tonight for their final SAC game.