By RICHIE HALL
SHERIDAN – The Sheridan boys basketball team ran its win streak to three games on Saturday by beating Elwood 69-46 at Larry Hobbs Gym.
The Blackhawks started the game with a superlative effort on defense, building up to a 30-point lead in the second quarter. That momentum carried Sheridan through in the second half and allowed the ‘Hawks to finish their three-game homestand with victories in all three contests.
Sheridan led 21-4 after the first quarter. Ethan Moistner had the hot hand during that period, hitting three 3-pointers for nine points. Cayden Hunter added five points, including his own triple.
In the second quarter, the Blackhawks scored the first 13 points of the period, which gave them a 34-4 lead with around two-and-a-half minutes to go. Five different players were part of that run, with Kyle Eden draining a 3 and Silas DeVaney adding two baskets.
“I felt we played really well the first half,” said Sheridan coach Tod Windlan. “Got in a little foul trouble, but I thought our defense in the first 12 minutes of the game was really, really good. A lot of energy, moving when the ball was in the air.”
The Panthers ended the run with a 3-pointer, but the Blackhawks were still in front by a wide margin at the halftime break, 37-11. The second half was a little more even, but Sheridan maintained its comfortable advantage throughout. The ‘Hawks never allowed Elwood to get within 20 points of them, and the Panthers’ only serious run was a 7-0 stretch at the end of the third quarter, which got them within 48-28 at the buzzer.
Elwood was then within 50-30 early in the fourth period before Sheridan went on its own 7-0 run. Eden nailed a 3, then scored on a floater. Keenan Warren added a layin, and the ‘Hawks were back up 57-30.
“That first half, we were spot on to what we we’re doing,” said Windlan. “Really focused, and then I thought we lost focus. I’m not sure how many times these kids have been up that much at half. We didn’t know how to play with that lead and didn’t respond very well. I told them, that’s a learning experience for us.”
Five Sheridan players scored in double figures. Eden led the way with 18 points, DeVaney scored 14, Warren added 11, while Moistner and Hunter both contributed 10 points.
“I thought we had some really good performances,” said Windlan. “I thought Eden and Hunter played exceptionally well. I thought Silas was a force for us inside. Ethan got us off to a great start, shooting it from out. He’s a great shooter.”
The Blackhawks shared the ball well, with 19 assists out of 29 baskets. Hunter dished out eight assists and Eden handed out six. DeVaney collected eight rebounds while Murray pulled six.
“I’ve always said, winning is really tough,” said Windlan. “It just doesn’t happen overnight. We’re winning. We got a ways to go to even get better. That’s a good sign. We haven’t peaked or anything like that. They bought in, they play hard and try to compete every night and that’s all I want.”
Sheridan is 5-2 for the season. The Blackhawks will play their next three games on the road, starting with a Friday trip to Delphi for a Hoosier Heartland Conference game.
SHERIDAN 69, ELWOOD 46
Sheridan FG FT TP PF
Corbin Murray 2-6 0-0 4 1
Kyle Eden 7-9 2-4 18 2
Cayden Hunter 4-9 1-2 10 0
Silas DeVaney 7-14 0-2 14 4
Ethan Moistner 3-6 1-2 10 2
Keenan Warren 5-6 1-2 11 2
Cole Watts 0-0 0-0 0 1
Evan Grinstead 0-1 0-1 0 1
Carson Huffman 1-1 0-0 2 2
Totals 29-52 5-13 69 15
Score by Quarters
Elwood 4 7 17 18 – 46
Sheridan 21 16 11 21 – 69
Sheridan 3-point shooting (6-16) Moistner 3-6, Eden 2-3, Hunter 1-5, Murray 0-1, DeVaney 0-1.
Sheridan rebounds (24) DeVaney 8, Murray 6, Hunter 4, Warren 2, Moistner 2, Eden 1, Grinstead 1.