Osgood Journal Sports
March 24, 2009

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer Members of the 2008-2009 IHSAA Class 1A Semi-State Champion Jac-Cen-Del Eagle Boys Basketball Squad pictured front from left include: Torie Gilland, Allie Shinkle, Megan Gunter, Erica Hicks, Tanaha Simon, Jaime Lunsford, Audrey Huffmeyer, young Gehl, Rachel Brown, Renee Meister, Megan Joseph, Kayla Kohlman and Lacey Derringer. Row 2: Student Manager Jim Dobbs, Student Manager Ethan Hess, Daniel Harlemert, Derek Lunsford, Shane Adams, Spencer Purdy, Brandon Wilhoit, Samantha White, Kristin Konradi and Hailee Sizemore. Standing in Row 3: Eighth Grade Coach David Espinda, Seventh Grade Coach Travis Rohrig, Reserve Coach Steve Narwold, Joe Abplanalp. Ethan Harmeyer, Blake Sutton, Gerald Hardesty, Freshman Coach Roy Thomas, Matt Gehl, Tim Arnett, Trevor Arnett, Clay Comer, Dalton Garnett, Alissa Stolze, Varsity Coach David Bradshaw, Brooke Gilland and Morgan Young. The Eagles defeated the North Davies Cougars 38-32 in their Semi-State bout at the Seymour HS gym on Saturday, March 21 to earn a spot on the State Championship lineup at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday March 28 where they will battle the Triton Trojans for the '09 State Class 1A Title at 10:30 a.m.

Jac-Cen-Del Eagles to battle Triton Trojans for Class 1A State Championship Title

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Jac-Cen-Del Eagle Boys Basketball faithful have spoken of nothing less than the State Championship since being ironically denied in Sectional #60 a year ago. Hungry, determined, focused and undeniably ready at the right time when this year's extended season rolled around. The mighty Eagles began their '09 State Championship drive in Sectional #60 with with a win over the Oldenburg Academy Twisters on opening night, continued with a victory over the Rising Sun Shiners and earned the Sectional Championship by their victory over the hosting South Decatur Cougars.
In Regional competition, the Eagles defeated the Clay City Eels and the Bethesda Christian Patriots to become Regional Champions.
Masterfully creating a Semi-State victory over the North Davies Cougars by the final score of 38-32 on Saturday, March 21, the (24-2) Eagles will now set their sights on the IHSAA Class 1A State Championship Final game at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with a 10:30 a.m. tip off, where they will battle the (24-2) Triton Trojans.
Semi-State action
The North Davies Cougars obtained the opening possesion and put the first points up on the scoreboard in the form of a three pointer. Eagle senior Matt Gehl was first to respond for JCD with a FG making the score 2-3. The Cougars added one of two FT attempts, followed by Eagle senior Tim Arnett's first FG of the day, knotting the game at four.
A Cougar FG, followed by Eagle Tim Arnett's second FG, tied the game at six. Eagle senior Gerald Hardesty gave JCD its first lead in the game with his connecting on one of two FT shot attempts. The lead was short lived as the Cougars added a pair of FT's to regain the lead at the first quarter's end, ND 8-7 JCD.
Quarter Two
Eagle senior Matt Gehl opened quarter two with a FG, putting JCD on top once again. That was followed by an old fashioned three point conversion by Cougar senior Logan Wagler with the FG and FT combo. The Cougars stretched their lead to four points off the FG of Kendall Wittmer, then to six with a FG basket by Jacob Miller. Trailing 9-15, Eagle Matt Gehl scored a FG, only to have the Cougars capitalize on a pair of FT's before the halftime buzzer to take their largest lead of six into the locker room at the halftime break, North Davies 17-11 Jac-Cen-Del.
Quarter Three
Eagle senior Blake Sutton breathed a breath of new life into his team's effort with the nailing of a three pointer in the opening moments of the third period, cutting their deficit in half. A Cougar basket led to the biggest Eagle run of the game, where sophomore Trevor Arnett drilled a long distance three pointer followed by brother Tim's erupting for back to back FG's. With Tim Arnett's first FG of the run, he knotted the game at 19, the second gave JCD its long awaited lead at 21-19.
Not a time for relaxing, as the Cougars tied the game at 21 with a FG and regained a two point lead with their making of a pair of FT's. Eagle Tim Arnett again squared up and drained a basket for a 23-23 tie. North Davies answered with a FG for the lead, only to find Eagle senior Matt Gehl lofting his first 3 pointer for the end of period Eagle one point lead of JCD 26-25 North Davies.
Quarter Four
With only seconds off the final period game clock, Eagle Tim Arnett was sent to the charity stripe where he converted one of the two FT's alloted him. As unreal as it seems, the two point lead was the largest margin of advantage JCD had enjoyed to this juncture of the game, but that not for long as a Cougar FG tied the game at 27.
Eagle Blake Sutton again launched a little relief in the form of a three pointer as it swooshed the net cords. With under five minutes remaining in the contest, a Cougar FG cut JCD's lead to one. After a nearly two and a half minute lapse in scoring as the Eagles played the control game that North Davies had used on them from the game's onset, a Cougar foul sent Eagle Matt Gehl to the charity stripe where he converted both shots to again give the Eagles a three point edge. This time at 32-29.
With approximately one minute remaining in the game, Eagle Trevor Arnett followed suit and delivered both ends of a one and one FT offering, stretching the JCD lead to five points, the largest edge enjoyed to that point. Eagle Trevor Arnett established the largest lead enjoyed by the Eagles during the entire game with his FG at the 33 second mark, elevating the score to JCD 36-29 over North Davies.
The Cougars weren't quite done, as they drained a three pointer in the remaining seconds. However, in desperation, as the remaining seconds ticked away, the Cougars were forced to foul and in doing so sent Eagles Matt Gehl and Tim Arnett to the charity stripe where each added a FT apiece to create a final score of Jac-Cen-Del 38-32 over the Cougars.
At the missing of Tim Arnett's last FT attempt, Coach Bradshaw emptied the bench to give his young Eagles a personal Semi-State memory. The team continued with ball control until time expired, maintaining the Eagle lead and score of 38-32, securing the victory and stamping their voucher for the State Championship game that is to be played on Saturday, March 28, at Conseco Field House in Indianapolis.
Semi-State Scores by Quarter
No. Davies 8 - 7 JCD
No. Davies 17 - 11 JCD
JCD 2 6 - 25 No. Davies
JCD 38 - 32 No. Davies
Jac- Cen-Del Eagles 38
Tim Arnett 12
Matt Gehl 12
Trevor Arnett 7
Blake Sutton 6
Gerald Hardesty 1
Non-scoring Eagles: Shane Adams, Spencer Purdy, Ethan Harmeyer, Derek Lunsford, Daniel Harlemert, Brandon Wilhoit, Dalton Garnett, Clay Comer and Joe Abplanalp.
North Davies Cougars 32
Thomas Nugent 12
Logan Wagler 9
Kendall Wittmer 7
Jacob Miller 4
Non-scoring Cougars: Lucas Swartzentr, Isaac Swartzentr, Nelson Graber, James Raber, Scott McAtee, Stetson Townsend, Clayton Shake and Clayton Byrer.
The victory caravan home
The team bus, cheerleaders and over 90+ car and motorcycle victory caravan led by Osgood, Delaware and Napoleon Fire Departments and local police departments escorted the Semi-State celebratory procession, beginning at the Versailles Wye where they proceeded north past Jac-Cen-Del High School to Napoleon, before returning to JCDHS to a gym packed victory gathering just a little after 7 p.m.
With the game having been played at the Seymour HS gym, following the cutting down of tournament nets and picture taking on the gym floor, JCDHS Athletic Director Mark Meyer announced the time of the victory meeting for fans to come and compliment the Eagle achievements of the day.
JCDHS victory clebration
Eagle AD Mark Meyer opened the festive celebration, introducing Coach David Bradshaw. Coach Bradshaw reiterated his comments made to his players at the beginning of this sesason, "Good, Better, Best". He explained its meaning during the packed gym Eagle victory celebration, held at JCDHS following their triumphant Semi-State victory over the North Davies Cougars on Saturday afternoon, March 21.
He stated,"Good is what the team appeared to be capable of being at the beginning of the season, Better was evident after working together as the regular seasons scheduled game play progressed and Best at season's end, ready for extended play action was the summation of the efforts."
Proudly he stated, "We have reached each level as required to set us up ably ready to prepare for competing next Saturday morning, March 28, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the '09 IHSAA Class 1A Boys State Basketball Championship Title."
After speaking for a short period, Coach Bradshaw passed the mic to the team players for any comments they would care to make. All responded with gratitude for the support having been shown them.
A special guest to the JCD Semi-State pep rally on Friday afternoon, March 20, was former Coach David Porter, who spoke to the Eagle team and student body, leading a cheer in closing. Coach Porter also attended the game Saturday as he has most of the season and during the celebration on Saturday night, again praised Coach Bradshaw, his staff and the team's efforts along with the actions of JCD's student body and fans in support of them.
Former Principal John Ward also spoke to the Eagle players and crowd on Saturday evening as well. He too led a cheer that he had led for many years while at JCDHS.
Principal Johnny Budd elaborated with the final comments of the evening, enticing the Eagle spirit to continue to build toward their next action which will be their battle at Conseco for the '09 State Championship Title in Indianapolis.
Editorial summary
Not once has Coach Bradshaw boasted about what he has done, nor have his players gotten caught up in the me and I concept of their accomplishments. They are in totallity, including the assistant coaches, student managers, cheerleaders, statisticians and scouting teams solidly a TEAM firmly planted on the ground, and most gracious with complementing each other, rather than seeking the glory ride rush for themselves!
That my friend is not found in many sports teams, near nor far. Our congratulations goes out to each and every member for exemplifying the true spirt of a team/family relationship, while representing their school, community, county and state.