DAILY JOURNAL SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
MONROVIA
Indian Creek continued its successful boys basketball season Wednesday night at Monrovia, claiming the Bulldog Holiday Classic championship for the second straight year.
Indian Creek topped Brown County 67-45 in the title game and raised its record to 8-1.
The victory was the third straight for the Class 3A Braves. Their only loss was two weeks ago against Class 4A Martinsville.
“The kids are playing well,” Indian Creek coach Derek Perry said. “Before the tournament started, we talked about getting the lead and finishing it out by winning. We did that (Tuesday) and again (Wednesday).
“Very nice win against a good team.”
Better yet, the game gave the Braves a preview of the Eagles, whom they will play again in a few weeks.
From the start, it seemed the smaller Braves might have trouble with the Eagles’ 6-foot-9 junior center Josh Cochran. But he didn’t have the speed to keep up with the Indian Creek players.
Instead, senior forward Austin Kritzer gave the Braves some problems with his rebounding, but ultimately it would prove to be a minor inconvenience.
Both teams traded baskets throughout a close first half. Indian Creek capitalized at the free-throw line and led 29-23 at halftime.
Indian Creek steadily took control in the second half.
Junior guard Tim Abel hit a 3-pointer in early in the third quarter, and momentum carried the Braves the rest of the way.
Indian Creek allowed only seven points in the final quarter.
“The defensive pressure was great,” Perry said. “We also had some good runs offensively and had great bench play.”
Abel led all scorers with 26 points.
Sophomore Jared DeHart added 12 for the Braves, while senior Gynson Robley had 11.
Brown County (6-4) was led by Collin Hoskins with 13 points.
“We did a good job of containing him,” Perry said. “The key was to limit him to 15 points or under and we did that.”
Indian Creek’s next game is Saturday at Greensburg.
