FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – The No. 5 Northeastern boys basketball won its fourth Tri-Eastern Conference title in a row on Friday as the Knights defeated Winchester 75-59 in Larry Moore Gymnasium.
“We kind of put it on our seniors shoulders starting on Monday,” Northeastern coach Brent Ross said. “We started all four seniors and told them we were going as far as they take us.”
With the win, the Knights (18-4, 6-0) have 28 straight wins in conference play and 43 overall victories in a row over league foes.
“For those kids, it’s pretty exciting,” Ross said. “Winchester was one a run like that and Centerville was on a run like that. You just kind of ride it. To be able to do that is a big credit to the kids. There have been a lot of kids come through the program, who have been a part of this.”
On Friday, Northeastern seniors Tyler Smith, Kaleb Mikesell, Nate Reynolds and Harrison Rice started together for the first time this season.
“They don’t want their careers to end,” Ross said. “They were pretty fired up.”
Northeastern jumped out to a seven-point advantage just 43 seconds into the contest.
“To come out and get a 7-0 lead was big,” Ross said. “Winchester is a good basketball team. A team that can shoot the ball as well as they shoot it, the game is never over. Give our kids credit for finishing out.”
After scoring on their first possession, the Knights forced a pair of turnovers and they took advantage of the situation.
“It was huge,” Winchester coach Matt Fine said. “A terrible job on our part. We were organized and ready. We freelanced and got down. They have all of the momentum and the pace is at their style.”
Winchester (10-10, 4-3) was able to answer as the Golden Falcons closed the gap to 8-6 when Michael Georgi scored with 5:38 left in the opening period. However, the Knights finished the quarter with an 11-2 run to lead 19-8.
In the second frame, the Knights began with seven straight points to extend their margin to 26-8. They were on top 39-22 by the intermission.
Northeastern led 64-49 after a high-octane third quarter for both teams.
“We adjusted well at halftime,” Fine said. “We scored enough in the second half to win the game.”
“We just didn’t do it enough early,” Fine added. “It was our inability to handle their traps in certain situations that really hurt us.”
Smith led Northeastern with 27 points with Freeman Brou adding 14 and Jordan Stolle tossing in 13. Reynolds finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
Boo Enis topped the Golden Falcons with 19 points, including four 3-pointers in the third period. Isaiah Jordan-Miller had 12 points as he grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Jordan Key had 10 points.
Winchester won the JV contest with Ross Culy leading the way with 17 points. Nathaniel Dunica and Glenallen Anderson finished with 10 points each.
Caylor Fisher led Northeastern with 10 points with Wesley Mull tossing in nine points.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday with home contests. Northeastern entertains Connersville, while Winchester gets a visit from South Adams.
Box Score
WINCHESTER (10-10, 4-3) – Boo Enis 6 2-2 19, Michael Georgi 3 0-0 7, Jordan Key 3 2-2 10, Isaiah Jordan-Miller 5 2-3 12, Austin Lawrence 2 0-0 4, Lukas Mills 0 2-2 2, Aaron Wallace 0 0-0 0, Justin McAllister 0 0-0 0, Trey Graft 0 0-0 0, Ross Culy 0 0-0 0, Josh Lowe 0 0-0 0, Glenallen Anderson 1 0-0 3. Team – 20 8-9 59.
NORTHEASTERN (18-4, 6-0) – Tyler Smith 9 8-10 27, Kaleb Mikesell 2 1-2 6, Nate Reynolds 4 0-0 9, Harrison Rice 2 0-0 4, Jordan Stolle 5 0-0 13, Jalen Hillard 0 0-0 0, Freeman Brou 5 1-2 14, Alex Reynolds 0 0-0 0, Caylor Fisher 1 0-0 2, Cole Mikesell 0 0-0 0. Team – 28 10-14 75.
Winchester 8 22 49 59
Northeastern 19 39 64 75
3-pointers – Winchester 9 (Enis 5, Key 2, Georgi, Anderson), Northeastern 9 (Stolle 3, Brou 3, Smith, K. Mikesell, N. Reynolds). Rebounds – Winchester 24 (Jordan-Miller 9), Northeastern 23 (N. Reynolds 7). Turnovers – Winchester 21, Northeastern 11. Fouls – Winchester 10, Northeastern 13. Fouled out – None. JV score – Winchester 49, Northeastern 42.