Tigers Top Elks In Season Finale
Monday, February 20th, 2012
TROUP – In their final game of the regular season, the Elkhart Elks found themselves playing for pride against the district leading Troup Tigers. The upset minded Elks almost spoiled the Tigers Senior Night, rallying back from an early deficit against the Tigrs, before eventually falling 68-56.
The Elks were eliminated from playoff contention on Friday night, but looked to end district play with a big win leading into the offseason. Elkhart had a solid night offensively, getting six treys on the night and had three players with at least 10 points, but an early hole would be too much to dig their way out of in the final quarter.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Elks found themselves in a deep hole against the Tigers. Troup carried a massive 60-41 lead going into the fourth quarter before the Elks began their comeback run. Behind a strong start offensively, the Elks would chisel their way back into the game, cutting the deficit in half before the game was said and done.
Sophomore Jeffery Wilson would lead the charge for the Elks, helping push his team back into the game. Junior Jacob Cheatham also got into the fray, putting up big numbers for the Elks in the fourth quarter. Troup would rebound late, and hold off the Elks, who would outscore Troup 15-8 in the final quarter of the night.
Elkhart would have to dig themselves out of an early hole, as Troup would charge out of the gates to take an 18-9 lead over Elkhart. The Tigers would get a big night offensively from star guard Carson Clark. Clark, who finished the night with 33 points and five 3-pointers, came out of the gates strong from the field, as the Tigers pushed out to an early lead.
Troup would extend that lead in the second quarter behind more outstanding play from Clark. The Tigers would outscore Elkhart 22-12 in the second frame of the night, pushing their lead to 19 going into the halftime break. Trailing 40-21 the Elks were in dire straits going into the halftime break.
The Elks offense would begin to fire up in the third quarter, as Elkhart erupted for 20 points, keeping pace with the Tigers. That quarter would help ignite the Elks fourth quarter run, and eventually help the Elks rally back into the game, before ultimately falling to the Tigers by a final score of 68-56.
Elkhart finished the night with three players in double figures scoring. Wilson, the Elks leading scorer throughout district play, led the Elks with 19 points on the night, including a pair of three-pointers in the contest. Cheatham finished just behind his teammate with 18 points and a pair of trey’s for the Elks.
Brian Johnson would be the final player in double figures with 10 points offensively. Johnson came on strong towards the end of district play, becoming a solid scoring option. Jared Hamm and Luke Hollingsworth would score four points apiece, and Banuelos would add one point to round out the Elks scoring offense.
The loss ends the Elks season, who finished with a 6-6 record, and just two games out of third place for the final playoff spot. With just a couple of seniors, the Elks bring back the core of their team and look to be leading contenders going into the 2012-2013 season.
For the latest news and notes on Elkhart athletics, as well as other area sporting news, check back in The Messenger. Also follow The Messenger on Facebook and check out our website at www.messenger-news.com. Chris Boothe can be reached at cboothe@messenger-news.com.
