Golden Eagles edge Wildcats 86-85

STAFF REPORT

BSN

ROBINSON CREEK — Johnson Central edged 15th Region rival Shelby Valley 86-85 in its regular season finale on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The win allowed Johnson Central to move above the .500 mark. With the win, Johnson Central improved to 13-12.

Shelby Valley dropped to 7-15 after suffering the loss.

Johnson Central shot 59.5 percent (25-of-42) from the field. The Golden Eagles shot 50 percent (five-of-10) from three-point range.

Johnson Central shot 81.6 percent (31of-38) from the free throw line.

Austin Slone poured in a game-high 38 points and claimed eight rebounds to lead Johnson Central to the win.

Joining Slone in double figures for Johnson Central, Brayden Shepherd netted 22 points.

Along with the two scorers in double figures, Mason McKenzie (seven points), Andrew Meeks (six points), Dawson Montgomery (four points), Jacob Breeding (four points), Jaidon Daniel (two points) and Kaleb Callaham (two points) produced offensively for the Golden Eagles.

Shelby Valley, a former state champion, shot 54.5 percent (30-of-55) from the field. The Wildcats shot 50 percent (11-of-22) from three-point range.

Shelby Valley shot 87.5 percent (14-of-16) from the free throw line.

Riley Phillips scored 19 points to lead Shelby Valley to the win. Phillips made seven of nine shot attempts from inside the arc.

Following Phillips in scoring for Shelby Valley, Robert Stewart netted 17 points while Ethan Sykes posted 11 points.

Giving Shelby Valley five scorers in double figures, Caden Johnson and Logan Johnson added 10 points apiece.

Finishing outside double figures, Bruce Coleman (eight points), Jonah Bartley (five points), Caden Justice (three points) and Braiden Tackett (two points) supplied the rest of Shelby Valley’s scoring.