Koby Johnson
SHELBYVILLE — Hauser wasn’t intimidated by one of the top Class A teams in the state in No. 10 Jac-Cen-Del during Saturday’s Southwestern (Shelby) Sectional final.
The Eagles got a strong push early in the fourth quarter, and that was all it took for them to end the Jets’ season with a 61-46 boys basketball defeat.
“I’m really proud of these group of kids,” Hauser coach Brent Keck said. “We were a unique mix of seniors and freshmen. I can’t say enough about our four seniors — Cole Renner, Bryce Bates, Eli Miller and Koby Johnson. They’re phenomenal young men that’s going to have a lot of success in the journey of life. That conversation at the end of the season hasn’t gotten any easier in my career. I wish I could say something to help their hearts. They left it all out there on the floor. When we were finishing up, we played our best basketball of the season, which is all you can really ask for.”
The first quarter started out ugly for the Jets (11-14), who were outrebounded, and it led to Jac-Cen-Del (20-5) getting more opportunities to lead 12-3. Hauser had a little trouble knocking down shots offensively, as well, and it trailed 20-8 after the first quarter.
The Eagles had their largest lead of the game at 24-11 in the second quarter, but then the Jets finally ignited their first spark in the game as they worked the ball down low. It led to a 14-2 run, capped off with a buzzer-beating basket from Bryce Bates right under the basket to trail only 26-25 at the half.
Bates got a basket inside to give Hauser its only lead of the game 27-26 to begin the third quarter.
Both teams got hot shooting the ball in the period, combining for seven 3-point field goals. Jac-Cen-Del led 42-35 until the Jets finished the third on a 5-0 to trail only 42-40 heading into the fourth.
The Eagles went on an 8-0 run to begin the fourth and eventually put away the game at the foul line.
“I’m really proud of that group. Jac-Cen-Del is a great team. They’re very talented. To beat them in the tournament, you’ve got to play really well,” Keck said. “I thought our kids battled and put themselves in position to win. I can’t say enough about them kids. I love them and I’m not afraid to admit it. I would be there for these kids in any shape or capacity in any way I can for the rest of my life.”
Hauser was were led by its seniors. Johnson finished with a team-high 15 points, Bates had 13 and Miller added 11.
