Blackhawks’ balance bodes well in home win over Elwood

Sheridan’s Ty Garner scored 11 points for the Blackhawks during their win over Elwood last Saturday. (Kirk Green)

Sheridan hosted the Elwood Panthers last Saturday night in boys basketball and looked to get back to winning ways following last week’s road loss at Rossville.

The Blackhawks took advantage of a slow second quarter for Elwood for a 50-40 home victory.

The visiting Panthers jumped out early with a 14-11 lead after one period.

Sheridan was able to hold Elwood to just two points in the second to grab a lead by seven at halftime, 23-16.

The game stayed close in the third with the Panthers sticking with the Blackhawks up by six 35-29.

Home court advantage held true for Sheridan in the fourth, posting a 15-11 edge to win going away, 50-40.

“Elwood plays tough,” said ‘Hawks coach Bill Bowen. “They play physical, they play tough. They’re not having a great year with wins and losses, but I knew it’d be a tough game.”

Tyler Garner led the Blackhawks with 11 points, while Trent DeCraene was right behind him with 10 points and eight assists.

The Blackhawks had a balanced scoring attack with Caleb Wright pitching in with nine on 3 of 4 from long range. Jackson Aleman added eight and Owen Bell six.

“Offensively, I think it was pretty balanced,” said Bowen. He noted that Garner had “eight points in the fourth quarter. DeCraene carried us in the third quarter.” He also credited Owen Bell giving the team good minutes off the bench.

They shot well from the floor making 20 of 34 shots overall for 58 percent. They also knocked down 6 of 11 three-point attempts.

Sheridan (8-6) has now won five of their last seven and will hit the road on Jan. 20 in the Hoosier Heartland Conference to face the Delphi Oracles (7-7).