By RICHIE HALL
SHERIDAN – The Sheridan boys basketball team began a tough weekend of home games on Friday with a battle against Frankton, and the Blackhawks took the Eagles down to the wire before falling 51-49 in a great game at Larry Hobbs Gym.
It was Sheridan’s winter Homecoming game, and it was played in front of a nice-sized crowd. Frankton never trailed, but the Blackhawks never allowed the Eagles to lead by more than nine, and used timely shooting and toughness to stay with Frankton until the end.
Sheridan coach Tod Windlan told his team after the game that there was no reason for anyone to hang his head and get down.
“We got another tough game tomorrow night and then the tournament starts,” said Windlan. “These are great opponents preparing us for our tournament.”
The Eagles opened the game with a 3-pointer from Jack Davenport, but Sheridan’s Ethan Moistner tied it up with a triple, his first of what would be many. But back-to-back 3s from Frankton gave it a 9-3 advantage.
Silas DeVaney scored on a layin, then Moistner drained another 3 to get the ‘Hawks within 9-8. Frankton would keep trying to pull away, but Sheridan always came back. Two baskets from Corbin Murray at the end of the first quarter kept the Blackhawks within 17-16.
Frankton threatened to pull away in the second quarter, as a 6-0 run put the Eagles ahead 28-19. Sheridan hung around, however, with everyone making contributions. That included Cole Webel, who came off the bench starting in the second quarter and made his presence known with a 3-pointer to finish the period. That kept Sheridan within 32-26 at halftime.
Keenan Warren, who was named the winter Homecoming king during halftime, added four points during the second quarter as well. Windlan said both Warren and Webel came off the bench “and played great for us.”
“We got a lot of contributions,” said Windlan.
Frankton held its largest lead in the third quarter when it went up 36-26, and was still up 40-31 late in the period. Sheridan made its move at that point, going on an 8-0 run that stretched into the start of the fourth quarter.
Murray began the run with a layin, followed by a free throw from Kyle Eden. Cayden Hunter finished the third period with a 3, then Murray opened the fourth with a basket.
The Eagles’ Harrison Schwinn ended the run with a 3-pointer. Later, Ryan Smith’s 3 gave Frankton a 48-42 advantage. But Webel struck again with 20 seconds left when he made a 3 to get Sheridan within 49-47.
A free throw by Ayden Brobston stretched the Frankton lead back to 50-47. Eden made a layin, then Schwinn hit a free throw to keep the Eagles up by two. Sheridan had one last shot, but it didn’t go.
“Anytime you give your team a chance to win the game at the end, that’s really all you can ask for,” said Windlan.
The Blackhawks had good balance, as all seven players that took to the court scored at least four points. Moistner led the way with four 3-pointers for 12 points. Murray and DeVaney each added eight points, with DeVaney pulling seven rebounds. Moistner collected five rebounds and Eden dished out seven assists.
“We get a lot of deflections and we mixed defenses up a lot and I think that threw them off there,” said Windlan. “But (Frankton coach) Brent (Brobston) made some good adjustments. It’s just a tough game to lose, but it’s a game that I think going into the tournament’s going to be really good for us, playing these tight, close games.”
Sheridan is 11-9 and finishes the regular season and its Hoosier Heartland Conference schedule tonight by hosting Eastern.
FRANKTON 51, SHERIDAN 49
Sheridan FG FT TP PF
Corbin Murray 4-6 0-0 8 4
Kyle Eden 3-8 1-2 7 4
Cayden Hunter 1-5 1-2 4 1
Silas DeVaney 4-8 0-2 8 4
Ethan Moistner 4-8 0-0 12 2
Keenan Warren 2-2 0-0 4 1
Cole Webel 2-3 0-0 6 1
Totals 20-40 2-6 49 17
Score by Quarters
Frankton 17 15 8 11 – 51
Sheridan 16 10 11 12 – 49
Sheridan 3-point shooting (7-19) Moistner 4-8, Webel 2-3, Hunter 1-5, Murray 0-2, Eden 0-1.
Sheridan rebounds (21) DeVaney 7, Moistner 5, Eden 3, Hunter 3, Murray 2, Hunter 1.