Published: November 21, 2009 02:06 am      

BASKETBALL: Jeff girls roll past Silver Creek, 68-21

SELLERSBURG — Reserve forward Shanice Gholson scored a career-high 27 points as the Jeffersonville girls’ basketball squad cruised to its second straight win, defeating host Silver Creek 68-21 Friday night.

“Shanice came off the bench for us tonight, but her energy really sparked us,” Jeffersonville coach Chad Gilbert said. “That doesn’t bother her. She’s the type of unselfish player that’s an example to all the girls that play here now and in the future.

“She’s the team captain. She epitomizes what we’re all about.”

The Red Devils (2-0), who travel to face Hoosier Hills Conference foe Bedford North-Lawrence tonight, started out hot, embarking on a 16-0 run over the first 4:36 and never trailed on the contest.

In the second half, Silver Creek came as close as 15, 34-19, when forward Maribeth Rogers powered inside for a basket and converted a foul shot with 5:42 left in the third quarter.

That margin meant that Silver Creek actually outscored the Red Devils over a span of about 11 minutes, which heartened coach Ryan Apple.

“We gave them a big start there, but we calmed ourselves down and worked our way into a manageable situation,” Apple said. “Then, they put some pressure on us and went on a run.”

That run, led by Gholson, took apart the Dragons (1-1) like an F5 tornado.

The Red Devils scored the next 22 points during the third quarter unanswered, with Gholson scoring seven consecutive points off steals.

The Dragons would only muster two more points throughout the entire game, when Rogers sank two free throws with seven minutes remaining in the contest.

Jeffersonville’s full-court pressure caused mismatches all over the floor for Silver Creek, which committed 28 turnovers.

“They are without a doubt the most athletic team we’ll face all year,” said Apple, whose Dragons travel to Henryville tonight. “The thing is, you can’t simulate what you see from them in practice. It got to the point where none of our girls seemed to want the ball.”

Brooke Valentine added eight points and nine rebounds for Jeffersonville, who saw nine of its players score. Rogers led Silver Creek with 9 points.

Gilbert was pleased with the win, but saw a couple of negatives.

“We’re 2-0. Our kids are going in the right direction. I think we did play a little selfishly in the fourth quarter where we’d take a shot only after one pass, but all in all, it was a good win,” he said.



Jeffersonville 17 15 24 12 - 68

Silver Creek 6 7 6 2 - 21

Jeffersonville (2-0) — Gholson 27, Valentine 8, Roland 7, Kinnard 7, McClain 6, Williams 4, Samuel 4, Falkenstein 3, Eckert 2, Brendle 0, Tarver 0, O’Neal 0.

Silver Creek (1-1) — Rogers 9, Martin 5, Clayton 5, Jamros 2, Voyles 0, McFarland 0, Tinsley 0, Harper 0.

Turnovers: Jeffersonville 18, Silver Creek 28.

Rebounds: Jeffersonville 31 (Valentine 9), Silver Creek 14 (Rogers 6).

Three-point goals: Jeffersonville 3 (Roland, Kinnard, Gholson), Silver Creek 0.

Junior Varsity: Jeffersonville 33 (13-2-6-12) Midgett 8, Falkenstein 11, Roberson 2, Brendle 2, Crabb 10. Silver Creek 20 (4-3-4-9) Bennett 3, McFarland 4, Tinsley 3, Fluhr 2, Sierota 4, Christman 4.