Shelbyville Lady Golden Bears Basketball

FAIRLAND — Heading into Tuesday’s battle with Triton Central, Shelbyville had several advantages over the host Tigers: More depth, a tougher schedule and three-game winning streak in the series. By all accounts, Class 3A No. 5-ranked Shelbyville was favored to beat the Class 2A No. 2-ranked Tigers. Apparently, someone forgot to tell Jessie Scherer. The Tigers led for most of the contest Tuesday, but trailed 45-42 early in the fourth period. That lead was short lived, however, as Scherer put the Tigers on her back and carried Triton Central to a 62-58 upset of Shelbyville. Shelbyville (16-3) played a lackluster first half and trailed 28-15 at the break. The Golden Bears missed 21 of 25 field goal attempts over the first 16 minutes. “It was almost like we were a deer in the headlights,” said Shelbyville coach John Fair. “We took quick shots that were not part of our offense, we didn’t drive well, we didn’t get to the line.” Sophomore Gretchen Haehl, Shelbyville’s leading scorer, was held to three points in the first half. Meanwhile, another sophomore — Triton Central’s Jennifer Moulton — enjoyed the best game of her young high school career in helping the Tigers to an early lead. Moulton, a first-year starting guard, scored nine of her season-high 13 points in the first half as the Golden Bears’ defense focused on the Tigers’ usual scoring threats — Scherer, Audra Blackford and Kristy Gates. Triton Central led by as much as 16 points in the first half. “We have scouted them and scouted them and if you want to give me credit for it, I’ll take some credit for it,” said Triton Central coach Larry Pringle of the Tigers’ first-half defensive effort. “But, the kids get a lot of credit because we really thought we knew where they were going on ball reversal and we really tried to clog the middle. But, who can say? They didn’t hit the bucket very well.” Fair didn’t have to make any major adjustments at halftime. He just let Haehl know that her presence was needed — immediately. “Gretchen was told at halftime that she had to step up, and Gretchen did step up,” Fair said. “It’s just too bad that some of her teammates didn’t (do) the same ... .” Haehl scored 11 of her game-high 25 points in the third period and pulled Shelbyville to within 42-40 heading into the final period. Shelbyville outscored Triton Central 25-14 in the third period as Pringle was forced to put his top three scorers on the bench for long stretches at a time. By the time the third period ended, Blackford (19.4 ppg) and Gates (12.2 ppg) were playing with three fouls and Scherer (19.7 ppg) was on the sidelines with four fouls. “I am thinking, ‘Oh God, just let me get through this quarter and get to the fourth’,” Pringle said. The Tigers did weather the storm, but not before Haehl gave Shelbyville its first lead of the game, at 45-42, on a 3-pointer with six minutes, 40 seconds left in the game. Triton Central managed to tie the score at 46-46 with six minutes to go. And then, in what proved to be the pivotal moment of the contest, Scherer checked back into the game. After managing only 10 points on just seven field goal attempts in the first three periods, Scherer exploded for 13 points over the game’s last six minutes. The University of Evansville recruit scored all but three of Triton Central’s final 16 points. “The game changed quite a bit (when Scherer came back into the game),” Fair said. “But, it should change. She’s a Division I player. She was the best player on the court tonight.” It was Scherer’s third-consecutive dominating performance. Over the Tigers’ last three games, Scherer has scored 42 percent of the team’s points. “Jessie said to me she’s going to play every game like it’s her last game, and it’s all coming true,” Pringle said. “This is her last time to play Shelbyville ... and I’m so proud of her.” It’s no coincidence that perhaps Scherer’s best game yet came against Shelbyville. In the week leading up to the game, much was made of the fact the Triton Central senior class was 0-3 in its career against Shelbyville. “I told (the seniors), ‘Guys, this is our last time around with this team. We’re going to give it our all,” Scherer said. Scherer, Gates and Ricka Goodwin comprise the Tigers’ senior trio. “For me, being my last year here and not beating Shelbyville yet ... I wasn’t doing too good in the first three quarters. I knew the fourth quarter was mine, so I took over.” Scherer finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Blackford added 14 points and five assists for the Tigers. Katie Douglas and Haley Wise combined for 22 points and 12 rebounds for Shelbyville. Shelbyville hosts Connersville Saturday. Triton Central can wrap up a Mid-Hoosier Conference title with a win at North Decatur Thursday.