The Versailles Republican Sports

April 19, 2007

Fear sets new 40/8 scoring record at 38

Gary Franklin, Sports Editor

Another drab and dreary April 2007 day preceded Saturday's Ripley County Voiture 40/8 All-Star games, held at Jac-Cen-Del High School gym on April 14.

The weather would not dampen the enjoyment of those in attendance however, as the entertainment began. Due to many circumstances, this year's All-Star event could not be a Ripley County vs Tri-County team display of talent, but the enjoyment of watching many of the senior All-Star basketball players of the area was still the key to a good evening of clean competition for entertainment.

Better than that is the fact that 13 Registered Nurse pursuers were allowed to be given a scholarship from the 40/8 to help them in their schooling expenses.

The evening opened with 40/8 Commissar Intendant (Finance Officer) Jim Lemon announcing on behalf of the 40/8, where he proceeded to ask those in attendance to rise for the playing of The National Anthem.

The Girls' Game
With all Ripley County girls but one of the 10 players attending, their could be no Ripley County vs Tri-County game this year. However that would not halt the action as a 5 on 5 game of yellow vs blue would be played for the fans enjoyment.

The ladies of the evening were introduced before their game along with their respective coaches. The yellow team members were Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagle seniors Emily Einhaus, Abby Lauber and Abby Rohlfing along with Milan Lady Indians Lacee Alloway and Cassandra Billingsley. These five were coached by JCD Lady Eagle Varsity Coach Scott Smith.

The opposing team of five members in blue jerseys included Batesville Lady Bulldog Cara Hartman, South Ripley Lady Raiders Abbey Lemon, Ciara McGuire, and Ashley Thomas, along with Tri-County representative Jena Elder of the Rising Sun Lady Shiners. These five were coached by Coach Abby Frint of the Lawrenceburg Lady Tigers.
The 5 on 5 competition battled through two 20 minute halves with only foul shots, coach called time outs and a 10 minute halftime period for a break for them. The teams worked diligently to put on a good show, even though they were denied much of an opportunity to rest having no subs on either bench.

Each of them deserve a large pat on the back for an exhausting effort to make an interesting game for those in attendance.

The blue team led at the halftime break by 10 points at 26-16. The second half continued much the same with the blue team winning by a final score of 48-29.

The "star of stars" honor for the girls, awarded to a winning team member, went to South Ripley Lady Raider Ashley Thomas. The Thomas effort included a 15 point outing to lead all girl players. Thomas' outing included two 3 pointers, 3/4 FT shooting, 3 FG's and multiple steals, rebounds and assists.

Lady Bulldog Cara Hartman scored 13 points. Lady Raider Ciara McGuire added 10 points. Lady Raider Abbey Lemon worked to an 8 point outing with Lady Shiner Jena Elder adding a FG and good defense.

The yellow team's scoring was led by Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagle Abby Lauber with 11 points and Lady Eagle Emily Einhaus added 8 points. Lady Eagle Abby Rohlfing scored 6 points, and the Milan Lady Indians Lacee Alloway and Cassandra Billingsley each added 2 points for their team's tally.

During the break between the girls' and boys' games, Jim Lemon of the 40/8 again manned the microphone at center court to announce and present the Nursing Scholarship recipients as Abe Hooton, 40/8 Correspondent (Secretary) passed out the scholarships.
Lemon thanked all who had again worked and or contributed to help make the 40/8 event successful over the many years of its existence. Since '52, they have been able to help 432 RN pursuants with scholarship assistance which is thought to be more than any other Voiture in the state.

The Boys' Game
The boys' All-Star game also had to entertain Ripley County boys on each team to make up two squads for competition, thus the lack of Tri-County vs Ripley County but definitely not a lack of fun, excitement and All-Star performance by those who came to participate.

Jac-Cen-Del Eagle Varsity Boys' Basketball Coach David Bradshaw and his assistant coaches, Steve Narwold and Roy Thomas, coached both teams during the competitive exhibition. The teams were white jerseys vs red jerseys.

Members of the white team included South Ripley Raider Michael Fear, Jac-Cen-Del Eagles Thomas Wenning, Tucker Brown, Justin Huff and Daniel Leonetti, and Milan Indians Bryant Withers and Jeremy Hunt.

The team in red jerseys included Batesville Bulldogs Alex Siefert and Steve Vonderheide, Jess Lewis, Adam Wheat, and Brett Redwine of the South Dearborn Knights, and Brandon Callahan of the East Central Trojans.

South Ripley Raider Michael Fear lit the nets with 38 points during their game and was named "star of stars" of the boys game. The halftime score found the white team up 41-36, however by game's final horn, they were up 107-84.

The 107 point total for the white team came from Raider Fear with 38, Milan Indian Jeremy Hunt with 16, and Indian Bryant Withers with 15 points. JCD Eagle Thomas Wenning added 14 points, Eagle Tucker Brown had 11, and Eagle Daniel Leonetti netted 10. Also scoring for the white team was Jac-Cen-Del Eagle Justin Huff, connecting on the long range 3 with only 2 ticks left in the game.

The 84 point scoring by the red team came from East Central Trojan Brandon Callahan with 20 points. South Dearborn Knight Jess Lewis added 19 points with Batesville Bulldog Alex Siefert netting 16. Adam Wheat of the Knights scored 13 points. Batesville Bulldog Steve Vonderheide tallied 10 points with South Dearborn Knight Brett Redwine adding 6.

A flurry of 3 pointers by multiple members of the teams rallied the interest of those in attendance along with an occasional slam dunk or attempt there at. All in all, it turned into an entertaining display of All-Star quality players having fun, showing true sportsmanship and obviously enjoying the company of equal type players to compete with.

In the realm of 3-ville, SR Raider Michael Fear scored 10 for 30 of his 38 point outing. South Dearborn Knight Jess Lewis nailed 5 for 15 of his points. Batesville Bulldog Alex Siefert added 4 for 12 points. Three 3 pointers were scored by both Jac-Cen-Del Eagle Tucker Brown and South Dearborn Knight Adam Wheat. Scoring two 3's were South Dearborn Knight Brett Redwine and Jac-Cen-Del Eagle Daniel Leonetti, and adding a 3 point shot each were Batesville Bulldog Steve Vonderheide and Jac-Cen-Del Eagle Justin Huff.

In the city of dunk were Milan Indian Bryant Withers, East Central Trojan Brandon Callahan, Jac-Cen-Del Eagle Thomas Wenning, Batesville Bulldog Steve Vonderheide and Batesville Bulldog Alex Siefert.

Good job guys, gals, and of course the Ripley County Voiture 40/8 crew. Much success to those pursuing the nursing career and those who gave of themselves to make this effort fun and rewarding for so many once again. Next year's 40/8 games are scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 12 at the Milan High School. Please make plans to come support and be a part of this entertaining and worthwhile project.