The Seymour basketball team celebrated Senior Night in the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium Friday night by defeating Silver Creek 52-32.

Before the game, senior players Landon Fritsch, Charlie Longmeier, Eli Meyer, Josh Rennekamp, Cory Robinson and Evan Smith and their parents were introduced. The players each received a framed replica of their jersey.

Owls head coach Kirk Manns said he will miss them.

“They’ve meant everything to me, just like the seniors who have come before them. I have spent hundreds of hours with these guys,” Manns said. “I’m grateful for them and excited to see where the future takes each of them. They have been a critical part of a positive shift for Seymour basketball.”

The seniors combined for 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Manns said getting off to a good start and controlling the tempo would be important for his team.

The Owls opened the game with a 9-0 run and ended the first half on an 8-0 run to lead 29-14 at the half.

Jaylan Johnson gave the Owls a 2-0 lead with the game 20 seconds old, and the hosts were in front to stay.

A 3-pointer by Fritsch gave the Owls a 5-0 lead, and he followed up with a jump shot to make it 9-0 at the 4:30 mark. The Dragons missed their first two shots from the floor and had four turnovers as the Owls dominated the opening minutes.

Bret Perry also had a 3-pointer and Johnson also had two baskets in the opening period to help the Owls to a 16-10 lead.

Perry took over the offense in the second period as he hit a 3-pointer and two jump shots for seven points in the quarter.

A twisting layup by Ethan Silcox just before the buzzer gave the Owls their 15-point lead at the half.

A layup by Fritsch early in the third period gave the Owls a 33-17 lead before the Dragons picked up their offense and went on a 7-0 run to cut the Owls’ lead to 33-24.

A 3-point play by Robinson at the 3:24 mark stopped the Dragons’ rally, and baskets by Perry and Meyer in the final two minutes gave the Owls a 40-28 lead going into the fourth period.

Johnson had the hot hand in the fourth period with three baskets and two free throws, plus he grabbed three rebounds to help the Owls extend their lead.

Manns said having good shot selection and holding the turnovers down were other keys for the Owls. The Owls shot 23-for-42 from the floor for 54.7% and committed only six turnovers on the night.

Manns has the Owls take a lot of pride in their defense, and Seymour held Creek to four points each in the second and fourth periods and shooting 12-for-29 from the floor.

Johnson topped the Owls in points (14) and rebounds (6), Perry scored 12 and Meyer netted 10.

Kyle Roberts topped the 11-11 Dragons with nine points.

Seymour held a 20-13 advantage in rebounds.

The Owls (10-12) will begin preparation today for the Seymour Sectional that begins Tuesday night with Bedford North Lawrence playing Jennings County at 6 p.m., followed by Floyd Central battling New Albany.

The Owls drew a bye and will face the winner of Floyd Central-New Albany in the second game Friday night.

Box score

At Seymour

Owls 52, Dragons 32

Silver Creek;10;4;14;4;—;32

Seymour;16;13;11;12;—;52

Silver Creek (11-11): Kaden Oliver 2 1-2 5, Kyle Roberts 3 0-1 11, Walker Hoffman 4 0-0 8, Hayden Garten 2 0-0 4 Nate Davidson 3 0-0 6, totals 12 2-5 32.

Seymour (10-12): Landon Fritsch 3 0-0 7, Jaylon Johnson 6 2-3 14, Eli Meyer 5 0-0 10, Charlie Longmeier 1 0-0 2, Bret Perry 5 0-0 12, Evan Smith 0 0-0 0, Cory Robinson 1 1-1 3, Josh Rennekamp 0 0-0 0, Ethan Silcox 2 0-0 4, Michael Brooks 0 0-0 0, totals 23 3-4 52.

3-point goals: S (Perry 2, Fritsch), SC (Roberts 3, Davidson).

Rebounds: S 20 (Johnson 6, Meyer 4), SC 13.

Turnovers: S 6, SC 12.

Junior varsity

Seymour 45, Silver Creek 36

Seymour: Brady Harpe 15, Nate Fritsch 8, Traysean Hawkins 8, Aden Kruse 7, AJ Harrell 5, Nolan Bartels 2.