We’re now officially into the full gear for the Winter Sports season with boys basketball getting underway a few weeks ago. There’s already been some great story lines developing with plenty of area teams.
I personally think the start to the boys basketball season is going for the most part a lot better than many people imagined. The Chargers got a big win over Fountain Central and then followed it up a week later by scoring 60+ points against Speedway in another win. South with new coach Michael Byrum at the helm has shown grit through its first four games. It’s never easy playing a county rival in your season opener but the Mounties thanks to a career night from senior Hayden Hess were able to pull out the win. Crawfordsville sits at 3-2 and through five games Cville has already seen many different players step up to lead them in scoring. Kaden Patton couldn’t miss against Lebanon, Tyson Fuller had 25 in the season opener vs Greencastle, Ethan McLemore is continuing to be just a great overall athlete and then Alec Saidian scored 25 in a narrow 64-62 loss vs West Lafayette.
The girls season believe it or not is about to enter its final month with 2024 just a few weeks away. South and Fountain Central look poised to compete for a sectional title while a young North Montgomery team is showing flashes of what looks like a bright future. I will also tip my cap to Crawfordsville and first-year coach Joe Ferguson. I’ve really enjoyed watching him coach this team despite what their record might say. The girls more often than not still walk off the court with smiles on their faces and this is a Cville team that even if they don’t come out on top, will compete and fight for a full 32 minutes.
The main purpose of this column is to talk about these next few days and what an exciting time it’ll be at Crawfordsville High School.
Friday night kicks things off with a county double-header between the Chargers and Athenians in what always produces fun matchups and games. I can remember off the top of my head two instances that both happened in two years ago. Who can forget in the regular season Madi Welch hitting the game winning three to lift the Chargers to a 42-39 win. However Cville would get revenge in the sectional and take down the Chargers 34-31 in another close battle. These two rivals met in the Sugar Creek Classic this season and once again it was three-point game with North winning 32-29. Expect another game when these two tip it off at 6 pm.
The boys game has provided us with entertaining moments of its own as well. Two years ago in the Sugar Creek Classic after losing by 20 in their first meeting, North took the Athenians to overtime where CHS was able to hang on 45-42. A season ago in the regular season it was a 45-39 Athenian win in another close, physical contest. Overall CHS has won the last 11 meetings dating back to 2016 . This Charger team is ready to end that skid and with a group of players that include Jarrod Kirsch who having a great start to his senior year, Noah Hopkins who is the anchor of the physical Charger defense, and the catalyst of the Charger team Kelby Harwood. Throw in role players like Ross Dyson who isn’t afraid of contact, Colton Arnold, Cameron Enlow, and Corbin Meadows and the Chargers and the Athenians are set for what should be another great county matchup.
Let’s fast forward to Saturday. Before I get started I want to say that it’s a bummer that county wrestling got postponed. In the end the decision was for well-being of all the student athletes involved. Cville is having a heck of a season under Aaron Keller at 13-0 on the season. Southmont boasts three ranked wrestlers in seniors Maddox Cade, Marlin Williams and Wyatt Woodall while the Chargers are a team that’s impressed to begin the season on the mat as well. I look forward to covering the county wrestling meet when a new date is made available.
With wrestling being sidelined, that means the full attention on Saturday will be turned to the county swim meet which is shaping up to be a very good one. On the girls side is where it’s going to get really exciting as Crawfordsville and North Montgomery will likely battle it out for the county crown. The Chargers brought home the title last season and bring back nearly everyone from that team. Annabel Anderson, Kylie Sankey, Dusty Robinson, and Brooklyn Kearns all headline a Charger team that also has plenty of depth. North is 8-0 on the season and wants to prove they belong at the top . Stay tuned to Saturday’s edition of JR Sports for a special feature story on them.
Crawfordsville comes in with plenty of talent as well with Sophia Melevage, Marie Hesler, Guinevere Schmitzer-Torbert, Maesa Horton, Ellie Walker and others who also had a strong season. The Athenians want to get back to the top of the county and the conference and believes this is the group that can do it.
For the boys side, Crawfordsville comes in as the overwhelming favorite as they look to continue their county dominance. With swimmers like Whit Horton, Campbell Mason, Ryan Miller, Jayden Callejas and Adrian Medina Cville is poised for another county title as they look for bigger things come the conference and sectional.
And yes heading into the next two days where there’s plenty of county chase points on the line, here’s a reminder where things stand. Crawfordsville leads the way with 24, South is in second with 14, and the Chargers have 12. Things can quickly change on Saturday with each winner getting four points and second place two. Of course the winner of Crawfordsville and North girls and boys basketball will also get two points each.
Thanks for reading this far and I look forward to seeing everyone out and about these next few days and the rest of the winter season. I wish each and every one of you a very happy and safe holiday season with friends and family!
