By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor
GREENSBURG – Despite entering its Class 2A Sectional 44 opening-round clash March 4 against fifth-ranked Lawrenceburg a nearly 20-point underdog (according to the Sagarin power ratings), Hauser battled gamely throughout an up-tempo and highly entertaining affair.
But a look at the stats would show that too many turnovers and some shoddy free throw shooting were the main culprits in the Jets’ near-miss in a 74-67 Lawrenceburg victory. That, and 20 second-half points – part of a game-high 32-point outburst – from the Tigers’ Jim Faehr.
The 6’2” senior did it all. Faehr tallied nine third-quarter points on a putback, layup, drive, and 3-pointer. But that was nothing compared with 7-for-8 free throw shooting and two critical steals in the last three minutes of the game, the second of which resulted in a fast-break layup that gave Lawrenceburg (18-3) a 67-56 lead with 1:18 left to play.
Faehr was the perfect late-game straight man for classmate Sean Powell’s first-quarter hi-jinks. The 6’1” Powell, the Tigers’ leading scorer at 18.8 points per game, snagged three steals and had eight points himself in a high-scoring opening period that ended with a 24-18 Lawrenceburg lead.
But like several of his teammates, Powell was a little under the weather and wore down a bit later in the contest. Faehr’s ascension was thus crucial in enabling the Tigers to ward off a gallant, 32-minute effort by Hauser (11-10), the 2006 Class A state champion.
Particularly troublesome for Lawrenceburg was 5’10” junior Cody Thayer, whose kamikaze entries into the paint resulted in a team-high 23 points and bucket after big bucket to keep the Jets in it.
“I was really impressed by the Thayer boy, number 10,” said 16th-year Lawrenceburg coach Mike Pratt.
Powell joined Faehr in double digits with 15 points, while 6-foot junior Justin Ricketts added 13 – most coming from behind the 3-point arc.
Three Hauser players reached double figures alongside Thayer: 6’8” senior center Tanner Case (14 points), 6’6” sophomore Silas Sims (11), and 6’5” sophomore Evan Dodd (10).
The Tigers will face Switzerland County (17-5) in the second semifinal Friday after Southwestern (Hanover) (7-14) and sectional host North Decatur (6-15) tip off at 6 p.m. ET. Lawrenceburg was 2-0 in that series this year, winning 60-56 in overtime Jan. 8 and cruising to a 75-55 victory on Valentine’s Day.
In Wednesday’s opening game, Switzerland County slowly pulled away from South Ripley in a 64-54 victory. The Pacers led by one at the first stop, eight at the half, and 44-32 heading to the fourth quarter.
South Ripley (8-13) cut the lead to seven down the stretch, but Switzerland County held the Raiders off by going 8 of 14 from the free throw line after entering the one-and-bonus with six minutes to play.
The Pacers got amazing balance offensively as three 6’4” players – senior Kyle Green and juniors Travis Tackett and Brennan Bragg – all finished with 15 points. South Ripley was led by the 13 points of 6’1” senior Andy Miller (13 points), while 6-foot junior Chase Grider had 12 and 6’5” senior Thomas Welch added 10.
44. North Decatur Sectional
Game 1: North Decatur 46, Milan 45
Game 2: Switzerland County 64, South Ripley 54
Game 3: Lawrenceburg 74, Hauser 67
Game 4: Southwestern (Hanover) vs. North Decatur. Fri 6p
Game 5: Switzerland County vs. Lawrenceburg. Fri to follow
Championship: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5. Sat 7:30p
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