Senior staff writer
Beech Grove and Southport put together the Southside’s most dramatic game of the boys’ basketball season last week with a four-overtime marathon. The host (7-4) Hornets prevailed 86-85 at Southport Fieldhouse on Josh Copenhaver’s free throw with 3.5 seconds to play.
He was sent to the line after being fouled on an offensive rebound. The third OT produced the most dramatic moment of the game Jan. 16 when BG’s John Parker nailed a half-court buzzerbeater for a 69-all deadlock. Earlier, Southport’s Brian Miller hit 2 free throws that put the Cardinals ahead by 3 points.
The nailbiter was tied 50-all at the end of regulation. Each team scored 4, 9 and 6 points apiece in the next overtimes. Parker scored 13 of his 16 points in the overtimes. Gavin Hess led the Hornets (8-6) with 24 points and 18 points. Southport’s Brevin Jefferson had a game-high 35 points. Southport (8-6) played without 6-8 Chaz Hinds who sprained his ankle early in the first quarter. The fourth overtime game was the second in Hornets basketball history in nearly nine decades.
On Feb. 28, 1930, Acton defeated Beech Grove 3130 in the sectional at Tech. The Hornets played in three overtimes on Feb. 27, 2007 in a 70-65 win against Chatard in the Whiteland sectional and a 61-59 homecourt loss against Roncalli, Jan. 10, 2003.
Elsewhere, Center Grove hit the road with new uniforms Friday and came away with an impressive 56-45 conference win at Ben Davis (10-5). The Trojans (12-4) were led by 6-9 Indiana University commit Trayce Jackson-Davis with 23 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks and 6-7 Justin DeGraaf, 16 points and 11 rebounds. CG poured in 21 points in the third quarter for a commanding 47-34 lead and pulled away for its first league win.
At Roncalli, the Rebels (3-9) pulled to 53-51 on Anthony Donohue’s 3- point shot but the Dragons (8-4) prevailed 67-61 by hitting 8 of 8 free throws in the final 35 seconds. Jacob Denney put in 18 points for the Rebels and 6-7 Daniel Asher, 13 points. Games postponed due to weather Saturday included Roncalli at Center Grove (Feb. 5) and Terre Haute North at Southport (Feb. 19), and games involving Franklin Central, Greenwood, Lutheran and Perry Meridian. (Note: Basketball historian Jim Pich contributed to this article.)