Versailles Republican Sports

March 8, 2007

Raiders take first 2 but fall in Class 2A Boys' Sectional #44 championship

Gary Franklin, Sports Editor

The South Ripley Raiders, behind the direction of Varsity Coach Scott Holdsworth, extended their season to the final game of the IHSAA Sectional #44, held at Switzerland County High School in Vevay on February 27, March 2, and March 3.
The sectional opener found the Milan Indians' season "Officially ended" after game 1, with a final score of North Decatur Chargers 54-40.
Raiders vs Pacers
Game 2 of opening night, Tuesday, February 27, slated the South Ripley Raiders against the host Switzerland County Pacers. The Raiders pulled off the win behind senior Michael Fear's 14 point production and junior BJ Sieverding's 10 as the game's second highest scorer.
This match up had been played twice earlier in the regular season with the Raiders dominating the Pacers at SCHS in a non-conference counting game on December 16 by a score of SR 60-47 SC. The later match up counting in conference played at Tyson gym on February 2 left the Raiders short at the end of the game, SC 40-39 SR.
Raiders vs Chargers
With a win under their belt, the Raiders were set to face the North Decatur Chargers in the opener on Friday night, March 2. Regular season play against the Chargers at NDHS found the Raiders the 10 point victors, SR 49-39 ND, on January 13.
The March 2 contest during Sectional #44 play would also prove the Raiders to be the supreme of the two at game's end with a SR 61-47 ND score. The win also lofted the Raiders into the championship game played on Saturday night, March 3.
The Lawrenceburg Tigers defeated the Southwestern Hanover Rebels in the second game of the evening 63-58, moving them into the Saturday championship match.
Raiders vs Tigers
All the chips on the table, the Saturday, March 3, championship game would see one team advance to regional competition, and close the door on the other. The Raiders had been successful over the Tigers in their regular season game played at Tyson by a margin of 18 points, SR 60-42. That would lead one to believe the advantage should favor the Raiders. Not necessarily, we find as the Tigers were a little short handed with some of their key players not in the game. Saturday night's fare for the championship title, all were present and accountable.
The Tigers managed to suppress the Raiders scoring to a mere 3 points in the third quarter of play, while adding 15 for themselves. Looking glum for the Raiders, trailing going into the fourth quarter by 20 points, Law 43-23 SR, the Raiders took the Tiger by the tail if you will, outscoring them 26-14 in the fourth.
"Too little too late" as it would turn out for the Raiders as the final score ended with Lawrenceburg the 8 point victor, 57-49.
Raider Sectional scoring
Trent Tucker 36
Michael Fear 32
BJ Sieverding 25
Chris Miller 23
Kyle Patrick 19
Eric Demaree 12
Thomas Welch 4
Non-scoring Raiders: Chandler Stearns, Andy Miller and Jared Keck each with 6 seconds of play, and Mitch Krall DNP.
Scoring by Quarter
vs Switzerland County
1. SR 11-10 SC
2. SR 23-19 SC
3. SR 29- 26 SC
4. SR 41-33 SC
Scoring by Quarter
vs North Decatur
1. SR 10-12 ND
2. SR 19-12 SC
3. SR 39-26 SC
4. SR 61-47 SC
Scoring by Quarter
vs Lawrenceburg
1. SR 10-15 Law
2. SR 20-28 Law
3. SR 23-43 Law
4. SR 49-57 Law

PAT LANHAM PHOTO Senior Raider Michael Fear jump stops to square for his shot.

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PAT LANHAM PHOTO Raiders junior BJ Sieverding (5) breaks past his Charger defender for the lay up drive and score as NDHS Head Coach Kyle Nobbe observes.