BOYS’ HOOPS: Red Devils rebound from New Albany loss, 90-46

By GREG BURTON

Special to Southern Indiana Preps

JEFFERSONVILLE — Most people assumed that Class 4A No. 10 Jeffersonville would respond after losing to rival New Albany on Friday night.

Most people also had a degree of pity directed towards Christian Academy of Indiana, Jeff’s opponent on Saturday at Johnson Arena.

The Red Devils of head coach Joe Luce made a demonstrative response coming off that loss and facing CAI.

What a statement it was.

Jeffersonville (10-1) essentially put the game away in the first three minutes of the game and rolled past the Warriors by a 90-46 score. The lead was so large, Luce took four of his starters out midway through the third quarter, and they never returned.

“We learned some stuff about ourselves (Friday) night,” Luce said. “They were disappointed in the way they played, and we wanted to come out and play at a different level and be locked in defensively.”

A different level is an understatement. The Red Devils dominated in every way imaginable.

Jeffersonville placed four players in double figures, led by senior Bailey Falkenstein with 25 points. He pumped in 22 in the first half. Also in double digits were Jaden Coleman and Zeke Smith with 18 apiece, and Tre Coleman added 15.

In contrast, Christian Academy (7-6) had Stephen Cook with 18 and Noah Williams finished with 10.

The Red Devils torched the nets, shooting 62.5 percent from the field (40-of-64). CAI shot 40 percent from the field on 18-of-45 shooting.

Jeffersonville controlled the boards as well, hauling down 36 rebounds total, led by Jaden Coleman with seven. CAI collected just 13 total rebounds.

“They (Christian Academy) are not a bad team,” said Luce. “I just thought our guys focused on getting things done in the correct way. I thought we played well tonight together. I don’t think (CAI) ever got to the point where they felt comfortable against our pressure and our transition.”

Jeffersonville took the mystery out of the game from the outset. The Red Devils scored the first 11 points of the game, forcing CAI coach Steve Kerberg to call a timeout at the five-minute mark of the first quarter.

Two and one-half minutes later, Kerberg needed a second timeout when Jeff ran the advantage to 20-6. The first period ended with the Red Devils leading 28-10.

The Red Devils racked up 33 more points in the second quarter to lead at the break, 61-23.

The assault continued through the third frame, although four of Jeff’s starters went to the bench for good midway through the period. After three quarters, the Red Devils led 81-35.

“I thought we were good in the half court tonight, which we were not on Friday,” said Luce. “It was important we got some baskets off our half-court offense. We did a better job of getting the ball to the right people.”

Jeff will return to action this coming Friday at Class 4 No. 7 Floyd Central (10-1) in a key Hoosier Hills Conference matchup. Christian Academy will be at home next Friday against potential sectional opponent Lanesville (5-6).

JEFFERSONVILLE 90, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 46

Christian Academy          10   13   12   11—46

Jeffersonville                    28   33   20     9—90

Christian Academy (7-6): Stephen Cook 7-11 3-3 18, Noah Williams 4-13 2-3 10, Nathan Paris 3-4 0-2 6, Jeremiah Robison 0-2 0-0 0, Bailey Conrad 3-9 1-1 9, Ethan Carrier 1-4 0-0 3, Kevin Ballew 0-2 0-0 0, Josh Hahn 0-0 0-0 0, Nick Conrad 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-45 6-9 46.

Jeffersonville (10-1): Jaden Coleman 9-10 0-0 18, Tre Coleman 7-10 1-1 15, Zeke Smith 8-9 2-2 18, Bailey Falkenstein 10-19 1-1 25, Jacob Jones 4-7 0-0 9, Jaylen Fairman 1-4 0-0 3, Hunter Schmitz 0-1 0-0 0, Trevis Oglesby 0-0 0-0 0, Olufemi Kareem 0-2 0-0 0, Michael Garcia 0-1 0-0 0, Izaac Smith 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 40-64 4-4 90.

3-point field goals: Christian Academy 4-14 (B. Conrad 2-3, Cook 1-3, Carrier 1-3, Ballew 0-1, Williams 0-2, Robison 0-2); Jeffersonville 6-12 (Falkenstein 4-5, Jones 1-2, Fairman 1-3, T. Coleman 0-1, Kareem 0-1).

Rebounds: Jeffersonville 36 (J. Coleman 7); Christian Academy 13 (B. Conrad 5).

Turnovers: Christian Academy 18, Jeffersonville 10.

Total fouls: Jeffersonville 12, Christian Academy 6.

Fouled out: none.

Junior varsity: Jeffersonville 42, Christian Academy 39.