Photo by RR Best
Pictured are the Sullivan boys’ basketball seniors, who were recognized at Friday’s basketball game against Central A&M. From left to right: Zak Britton, Shane Atchison, Cody Maxedon, and Derrick Stain.

Seniors Atchison and Stain Combine for 23

by Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

Oh how time changes things.

As freshmen four years ago, this year’s seniors for the Sullivan Redskins boys’ basketball team didn’t look like a team that would or could beat itself out of a wet paper bag let alone a state ranked team or win the OVC tournament in the next few years.

But this year, they did just those two things—defeating eighth ranked in Class 2A Decatur St. Teresa, and winning the Okaw Valley Conference Tournament—among others that nobody expected they could, and the four remaining seniors—Derrick Stain, Zak Britton, Shane Atchison, and Cody Maxedon—are a large part of the team’s success. Read More

Photo by Susan Shadley
Pictured are Arthur-Lovington’s boys’ basketball seniors, who were recognized last Wednesday (from left -right): Noah Yantis, Bradley Risley, Clayton Honn, Curtis Plank, Tham Kongdetudomkul, and Caleb Schrock. Not pictured is Logan West.

Schuring scores 28

Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

With 3:07 to go in the first half, Tyler Schuring finally sank the Knights’ first 3-point field goal of the game Wednesday on senior night against Shiloh. The bucket was a part of a 12-4 half-closing run for the Knights as they took a 30-28 lead into the locker room at halftime.

“It was obvious early we weren’t making outside shots,” Knights head coach Dale Schuring said. “I told them to attack at the half and at times we did, but we didn’t do as well as we could have. We missed way too many layups.”  Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Mt. Carmel’s Tyra Buss eyes the basket on a breakaway Tuesday night. Buss, who is the nation’s leading scorer averaging 46.9 points per game did that and more with 50 points against Sullivan in her team’s 78-43 sectional semi-final victory in Casey.

Lady Ace Sr. scores 50 in three quarters

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

For those familiar with Tyra Buss and her performance against Sullivan in last year’s sectional semi-final, the Mt. Carmel phenom proved why as a senior she was even more lethal in this year’s sectional. The future Indiana University athlete led the nation this year in scoring by averaging 46.9 points per game and did three better Tuesday night, scoring 50 in just three quarters, propping her team up to a 78-43 victory.

“I think in our case it’s Tyra Buss,” said Sullivan head coach Sheri McCain. “I thought Elissa Stewart did the best she could guarding Tyra. She stole the ball from her twice, took her to the hole twice, it’s just hard to maintain that type of play the entire game.” Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan high school senior and softball standout Taylor Gottfriedt signs with Lincoln College last Friday as Lincoln softball coach
Crystal Wurth watches.

Sullivan catcher to enjoy immediate role next fall

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Taylor Gottfriedt is a leader.

Her summer softball coaches will tell you that.

Her high school softball coach will tell you that.

Even her forthcoming college coach will tell you that, and she’s only watched her play.

And it’s this clear leadership value that Gottfriedt brought to the table in her decade of softball that now has her seated at Lincoln College on a partial scholarship beginning next fall.

“I’m excited to get Taylor over to Lincoln,” said head coach Crystal Wurth. “She is a very, very smart ball player. She knows the game and does a very good job of communicating with her teammates so she will follow with the leadership from high school and carry that on into college.” Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan’s boys’ basketball team reacts after earning the Okaw Valley Conference tournament championship trophy Saturday night.

Redskins battle through OV Tourney, defeating host in Championship Saturday

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

“Why not us.”

What had been a rhetorical question and even mantra became a simple statement Saturday night when Sullivan, the no. 5 seed, upended no. 7 seed and host Meridian in the Okaw Valley tournament championship.

After 12 long years, the trophy came back to Sullivan in what is the final year of the Okaw’s existence. Sullivan last won the conference tourney in 2002 when they defeated Monticello 51-43. But it was 14 years ago that a young Chester Reeder, then a junior on the basketball team, was a part of the ‘99 Sullivan group to win the trophy. Read More