stranded

If facing off against their long time rival Lawrenceburg in the opening round of 3A Sectional play wasn't enough of a problem for the South Dearborn Knights, then consider this - Ohio River flooding has shut down the main access road to their school and school itself.  As necessity is often the mother of invention, going old school may be the answer to their tourney prep dilemma.  Past the flooded playgrounds on US 50 and housed within the confines of the Aurora Recreation Community Center is what remains of the old Aurora High School, built in 1938, and a hardwood court available for practice.  Although the original Red Devil gym vanished years ago, the current facility is only yards from decades of basketball glory - 23 Sectional titles starting in 1925 and ending with consolidation (into South Dearborn) in 1978.  The 1976-77 team was a great one, ending their tourney run in the final 8, but the 1953-54 squad holds a special place in local history as one of only two teams to defeat the Milan Indians during their championship season. Who knows, maybe some of that tournament magic still lives within the walls of the old building and this team from Aurora can bring home a banner of their own. © Chris Smith

 

coming home

On the eve of boys Sectional play one last look at Homecoming 2018 at Covington - the home of the #1 ranked 2A Trojans.  © Chris Smith

scenes from a regional: speeding to a championship

On Saturday night, in the shadow of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Triton Central and Winchester took the floor hoping for their own checkered flag - a Regional Championship.  Two 20 win teams with impressive resumes, the Tigers & Golden Falcons appeared evenly matched on paper, but that was before the Falcons started raining down 3's on their opponents.  In the blink of an eye the score was 12-0 and that was just a preview of what was to come.  Final tally, 56-32, and coach Holly Gutierrez & her high flying Falcons were speeding off to the Semi-State in Jeffersonville.  © Chris Smith

scenes from a regional: survive & advance

Benton Central, Owen Valley, Indianapolis Ritter and Danville all started Saturday February 10 with thoughts of hoisting a championship trophy by day's end. By 3:00 only the Owen Valley Patriots & the Danville Warriors were left, and one of them had only hours left in the 2017-18 season.  © Chris Smith