By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
SHELBYVILLE – For nearly a generation, opposing teams that entered the micro-dome in Shelbyville knew a couple of things going in. First, the pace of the game would be subdued at best, and secondly they should celebrate if they ever got the ball in the paint.
Well, it is a new generation for Golden Bear basketball. Shelbyville’s Dec. 4 contest with powerful Columbus North often resembled a track meet as much as a basketball game. On this night, the tempo did not help Shelbyville stay in the race as the Bull Dogs ran away with a 74-42 decision.
Columbus North’s imposing front line of senior Philip Tarnowski and junior Kyle Greathouse were the obvious difference in this contest. The duo combined for 28 points, controlled the boards, and was a huge defensive force throughout.
It was obvious that would be the case from the outset. The Bull Dogs scored on eight of their first 10 possessions, and four of those buckets were on offensive rebounds. It led to a 17-3 opening blast, and Shelbyville never recovered.
It was 21-7 at the end of one quarter and 36-18 at intermission.
First-year Golden Bear coach Tom Beach, he of Forest Park fame, obviously wanted to challenge Tarnowski and Greathouse. Shelbyville guards consistently penetrated into the lane, looking to dump the ball to post players or draw fouls on the duo.
The problem was that game plans are only as good as the execution. North’s interior defense met the challenge, and instead of foul trouble for the Bull Dogs, Shelbyville ended up with numerous turnovers and poor shot selection. Those factors, in turn, led to Columbus fast breaks and more points.
A 14-2 Columbus North spurt to start the third quarter ended all suspense as the lead grew to 50-20. It eventually ballooned to 62-28 at the end of the period.
During the fourth quarter, however, Golden Bear fans got a glimpse of why Beach-coached teams have been so successful through the years. Shelbyville continued to pressure defensively until the end and forced North’s reserves into numerous final-quarter miscues.
The loss was Shelbyville’s first after victories over Beech Grove and Triton Central last week. Columbus North improved to 2-0 on the year with a date at Martinsville on Saturday evening.
Tarnowski and Evan Dodd led the Bull Dogs with 18 points, while Nick Lykens added 14. Shelbyville’s leading scorer was Patrick Ellis with nine markers.
The box score:
Columbus North 21 15 26 12 – 74
Shelbyville 7 11 10 14 – 42
Columbus North: Dodd 18, Tarnowski 18, Lykens 14, Greathouse 10, Camman 7, Olivo 5, Gommel 2, Miller 0, Purtlebaugh 0, Souza 0. 3-pointers: Greathouse 2, Camman, Olivo. Totals: 29 12-15
Shelbyville: Ellis 9, Alvis 6, Baird 6, Hartnett 6, Parsley 5, Brown 4, Kramer 3, Krise 3, Ash 0, Cox 0. 3-pointers: Alvis 2, Hartnett 2, Kramer, Krise, Parsley. Totals: 16 3-7
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