“Hey, Silas. Since I made the game-winning free throws last night, do you want to make them tonight?”
“Sure, Ethan. Thanks.”
This conversation probably didn’t happen. But it does seem like lately, the players on the Sheridan boys basketball team have been taking turns making the clutch free throws at the end of the game.
It was Silas DeVaney’s turn on Wednesday, as his foul shots with a few seconds to go pushed the Blackhawks in front by one point. Sheridan was then able to hang on for a 55-54 overtime win over Hoosier Heartland Conference rival Clinton Prairie at Larry Hobbs Gym.
“The kids are figuring out ways to win games when they’re not used to winning games,” said Blackhawks coach Tod Windlan. That’s one of the coach’s goals, “trying to change the culture as much as we can. We’re slowly getting it done. It was a great team win. We had a lot of contributions.”
The game ended regulation in a 47-47 tie. Sheridan went up 53-47 after back-to-back 3-pointers from Cayden Hunter and Ethan Moistner, who made the game-winning free throws Tuesday in the Hawks’ win over Frankfort. (Moistner made some history on Wednesday – more about that in a minute).
The Gophers came back to lead 54-53 with 17 seconds left. DeVaney then took the ball inside, got fouled going to the basket, and made both of his free throws. Prairie had one more chance to score, but missed free throws at the end.
The Blackhawks outscored the Gophers in each of the first three quarters, leading 14-11 after the first period after being down 9-2 early. Sheridan then went up 28-23 at halftime, then extended its lead to 39-33 after three periods. Prairie outscored the ‘Hawks 14-8 in the fourth to force overtime.
Moistner finished the game with 24 points on eight 3-pointers, tying the school record for most 3s in a game. The senior made two triples in each of the first three quarters, then one more in the fourth. Moistner also pulled four rebounds and blocked two shots.
DeVaney scored nine points, while Hunter threw in two 3s on his way to eight points. Hunter and Kyle Eden both dished out four assists. Keenan Warren had seven points and four steals.
Sheridan is now 3-2 in the conference standings and 9-6 overall. The Blackhawks travel to Carroll on Friday to continue HHC play.
SHERIDAN 55, CLINTON PRAIRIE 54
(overtime)
Sheridan FG FT TP PF
Corbin Murray 1-5 0-0 3 4
Kyle Eden 2-5 0-1 4 5
Cayden Hunter 3-3 0-0 8 2
Keenan Warren 3-4 1-4 7 2
Ethan Moistner 8-14 0-0 24 1
Silas DeVaney 2-4 5-7 9 2
Evan Grinstead 0-0 0-0 0 0
Totals 19-35 6-12 55 16
Score by Quarters
Clinton Prairie 11 12 10 14 7 – 54
Sheridan 14 14 11 8 8 – 55
Sheridan 3-point shooting (11-20) Moistner 8-12, Hunter 2-2, Murray 1-3, Eden 0-2, DeVaney 0-1.
Sheridan rebounds (13) Moistner 4, Eden 3, DeVaney 3, Murray 2, Hunter 1.