It was nice. Kevin Hensley will admit that. But he wasn’t going to blow his own horn too loudly or celebrate too dramatically.
On Saturday afternoon when his Crothersville girls basketball team defeated Christian Academy of Indiana 63-23, it was the 113th triumph of Hensley’s coaching career at the school.
It tied longtime versatile coach Jerry Owens for most basketball victories.
“I’m not all about records,” Hensley said after the Tigers’ win in the last regular-season game of the year before sectional play begins Friday. “I just wanted to be a coach and help others get better.”
Hensley, 59, is in his 12th season as coach, and thus far this year, the Tigers are 6-11. Before that, he coached at the junior high level.
Crothersville compiled a 12-6 lead after one period against Christian Academy (1-20) and moved out a little bit to lead 24-14 at the half. Then the Tigers took over in the third quarter, leading 42-18 heading into the fourth quarter and dominating the last stretch.
It was an all-around attack for Crothersville with the top players turning in double-figure scoring days. Guard Kennadi Lakins was the high scorer with 16 points, and she contributed six assists and four steals, as well.
Addy Cole added 15 points and seven rebounds.
“She’s just a force,” Hensley said of Cole, who missed a large chunk of the season recovering from injury. “Teams have got to double up on her.”
Grace Wilson helped Crothersville with 14 points, four assists and five rebounds. Zoe Spangler scored 12 points, made five blocks and gathered four rebounds.
The other Crothersville scorers were Ella Plasse with four points and Tiessa Stevens with two. Stevens also had seven rebounds.
The Warriors’ leading scorers were Brooklyn Shields and Audrey Brieschke with seven points apiece.
Last weekend’s play concluded the regular season and the 46th annual Indiana High School Athletic Association tournament sectionals open with games around the state beginning Tuesday.
Crothersville is in the Class A Edinburgh Sectional along with host Edinburgh, Shawe Memorial, West Washington and Trinity Lutheran, another local school. Crothersville previously beat West Washington and lost to Edinburgh and Trinity.
The Tigers have a first-round bye and then Friday night are scheduled to meet the winner of Edinburgh-West Washington.
Meanwhile, thinking about making a mark with his record, Hensley said, “It means a lot to me, but it’s what these girls do. Maybe after I’m done coaching, I’ll think more about it.”