Tigers send EIAC champ Spartans home
GREENSBURG – Since March 6, 2021, Connersville’s Spartans have secured two EIAC championships (going 14-0). But that date also remains the last time Kerry Brown’s squad won a sectional game. Following a loss to Greensburg last March, the Lawrenceburg Tigers – defending Sectional 29 champions – did the honors this year with Wednesday’s 50-41 victory over CHS.
Connersville, ranked fourth in the final Class 3A poll, could do next to nothing right through the first three quarters and trailed 31-17 with one frame to play. The score was 42-27 when timeout was called with 2:33 remaining. Spartan senior Josh Williams then tried to will his team to an epic comeback.
He started with three free throws after being fouled on a long-range attempt. Still a 12-point game, Williams produced a steal and subsequent 3-point play to make it 42-33 with two minutes left. The senior swingman then drained a 3-pointer to put CHS within two possessions.
The score was 45-38 when time was called at 30.7. Williams scored again to make it 46-40 ahead of Brown’s final timeout with 20.8 ticks left. CHS senior Lucas Barron then fouled out to end his solid Spartan career. LHS’ Cooper Bobo sank 1 of 2 to squash the Spartans’ postseason hopes.
Logan Rohrer – tied with Williams for game-high scoring honors at 19 – scored the game’s first bucket. James Williams and Barron later tied the game early at 4 apiece. Noah Knigga and Jo. Williams then traded baskets for a 6-6 stalemate. Lawrenceburg ended the first period on an 8-0 run. A lob to Rohrer was finished and big man Bobo stepped out for a three. In the final seconds, Rohrer scored on an inbound play to make it 14-6.
Braxton Myers finally broke the Spartan silence with a field goal. Rohrer answered directly from the 3-point line and two by Sam Cornett had LHS up 19-8. Brayden Pearson landed a 3 for Connersville but Bobo echoed that and Rohrer’s bucket made it 24-11. The score at half was 26-14.
The third quarter featured very little scoring (eight points total) and a lot of deliberate offense. CHS got within 26-17 before Knigga hit and Rohrer’s cut to the basket produced a 3-point play.
Bobo added 13 in the winning effort and Ben Cornett posted 9. Knigga and S. Cornett each had 4 and Charlie Meyer a free throw. The senior class had all of Connersville’s 41 points; Myers had 6, Barron and Ja. Williams 5 each, Pearson and Gavin Pearson each with a 3-pointer.
LHS (19-6) and coach Brad Cutter move on to Friday night’s semifinal matchup with host Greensburg. The Spartans closed at 18-5.
