BOYS’ HOOPS: Murawski takes responsibility in Pioneers’ 55-38 loss to Henryville

By GREG BURTON

Special to Southern Indiana Preps

CLARKSVILLE — Last Saturday evening, despise a loss to Jeffersonville, Providence coach Rob Murawski was upbeat with his team’s play.

Friday night at home at the Larkin Center for the first time in eight games, the Pioneers faced fellow Class 2A sectional member Henryville. The results turned out to be pretty bleak this time. After a 55-38 loss to the Hornets, Murawski found nothing consoling in his squad’s output.

“It’s all on me. It’s all my fault,” said the Providence coach. “I didn’t have them prepared.”

The game was never seriously in doubt. Henryville’s Nick Walker opened the contest with two smooth 3-pointers, and the Hornets were on their way to the victory.

Providence was cold from the field the entire night. Numerous missed shots from in close prevented the Pioneers from maintaining a serious drive that would keep them in the game.

“That’s all on me, too,” said Murawski. “I’ve got to make them work harder on taking those shots and making those shots in practice around the rim.”

Providence (5-9) trailed 12-8 near the end of the first period. Nick Sexton hit two free throws, and the Pioneers appeared to be back in the contest, trailing 10-8.

Henryville, however, scored six unanswered points and Providence vainly chased the Hornets the rest of the night.

In the second quarter, Providence closed to within six points at 22-16. But the Pioneers never did get this close the remainder of the game. Henryville led at half, 26-18.

Providence was able to make one final attempt at getting back into the game. The Pioneers’ Blake Murphy hit a 3-pointer in the third quarter to make the score 37-30.

Henryville responded as it had the entire game, scoring the next six points, and the lead was never less than double digits the rest of the way.

“I didn’t work them hard enough,” said Murawski. “I didn’t have them prepared well enough to play that team, and they are good. It’s just all on me.”

Walker took scoring honors for the night with 19 points. Thomas Green also finished in double figures with 12 points for the Hornets.

Sterling Huber and Murphy each had 11 for the Pioneers. Murawski expects more from his team in the future.

“The message is sent,” he said.

After losing the first three games of the year, Henryville has now reeled off 12 straight wins for a 12-3 record (1-0 in Southern Athletic Conference play.) The Hornets will have a rivalry game Saturday against SAC opponent Borden (5-5, 2-2 SAC).

Providence will have another home game at the Larkin Center on Tuesday against Silver Creek (10-3).

HENRYVILLE 55, PROVIDENCE 38

Henryville          12  14  15  14—55

Providence           8  10  12    8—38

Henryville (12-3): Nick Walker 19, Kade Badger 6, Kendall Dunn 8, Kasey Robertson 8, Thomas Green 12, Kevin Hollis 2, Trenton Guthrie 0, Trevor Badger 0, Logan Owens 0, Nick Beeler 0.

Providence (5-9): Blake Murphy 11, Cullen Ebert 7, Sterling Huber 11, Austin Barnett 0, Reece Libs 0, Nick Sexton 2, Hayden Burke 2, Trey Beatty 4, Aidan Finnegan 0, Bishop Edwards 1, Alec Fougerousse 0, Zach Johnson 0.
Junior varsity: Providence 49, Henryville 41, OT.