Shelbyville Lady Golden Bears Basketball

Sports Wednesday, January 31, 2001 Last Updated: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 at 11:51 AM SHS gets physical to beat Franklin By JEFF BROWN Wednesday, January 31, 2001 at 3:50 AM Blood was all that was missing at Garrett Gymnasium Tuesday. A very tall, extremely physical Franklin team visited Shelbyville in a girls’ basketball game that resembled every facet of a hockey game. Bodies on the floor, hard checking in the lane and a team determined to send its two seniors out winners in their home court finale were all on display — even if there wasn’t any ice on the floor. In the end, Shelbyville’s defense tightened down, completely rattled the Lady Grizzly Cubs in the fourth quarter — forcing 11 turnovers (two more than Shelbyville had in the entire game) — and pulled out a 48-44 come-from-behind win with some clutch free throw shooting. Through three quarters of the action, the Golden Bears (15-3) struggled from the field (8 of 37). And when they managed to drive to the basket, there stood one of several Franklin 6-footers waiting to block a shot. The Lady Grizzly Cubs (11-7) blocked eight shots in the contest and altered several more keeping Shelbyville somewhat confused as to what might work in the half-court set. The lack of scoring was hurting the Golden Bears both offensively, of course, but defensively as well. Without a made field goal, Shelbyville’s full court, relentless trapping defense couldn’t be deployed. But the Golden Bears were steadily forcing the Lady Grizzly Cubs into foul trouble and working into a steady rhythm at the free throw line. Trailing 33-26 at the end of the third quarter, the Golden Bears came out to prove they were a little bigger than the Grizzly Cubs — at least in the heart department. It took Shelbyville five minutes and 37 seconds of the fourth quarter to take the lead for the first time in the game. A Sarah Laird’s baseline floater over the Franklin defense put her team up 40-39. After a Franklin turnover, Gretchen Haehl drove to the free throw line and perfectly anticipated the defense collapsing on her. The freshman lobbed the ball over the charging Lady Grizzly Cubs to fellow freshman Haley Wise, who deposited it in the basket for a precarious three-point lead. Franklin had hope after forcing a turnover at mid-court that allowed Laura Bullington to score and tie the game up with 1:26 remaining. Haehl responded with a 10-footer from the left wing that put the Golden Bears ahead for good. From there, Shelbyville just needed to stay calm and rely on a senior to ice the game. After Franklin cut the lead back to one, Laird hit the second of two free throws with 12 seconds left. Ashley Chaney took the inbound pass and threw the ball away keeping Franklin from getting one last shot to tie the game. Laird hit two more free throws with six seconds remaining to provide the final scoring margin. In the final quarter, Shelbyville hit 12 of 14 free throws and finished 20 of 29 for the game. “This is a huge win for us,” said Shelbyville coach John Fair. “This planted the seed that we can beat Franklin (at sectionals). They can beat us too, though. That was pretty evident tonight. It was nice to see from this team that they had heart against a very good team because I questioned it at halftime.” Laird finished her last game at Garrett Gymnasium with a game-high 18 points and a team-high six rebounds. Fellow senior Jenni Ross scored two points in limited action due to nagging injuries. Caron Blotch led Franklin with 11 points. Shelbyville will play its last two games on the road. The Golden Bears visit Indianapolis Arlington Saturday and finish the season at Morristown Tuesday.