Parrish boosts Bulldogs to semis in sectional at Seymour

SEYMOUR, IND. — When New Albany junior guard Jermaine Parrish saw his first shot swish Tuesday night, it was the omen he — and his basketball team — needed. Good things were on the way.

From his first jumper to his last free throw, Parrish was percolating, and nothing Floyd Central did could cool him. He exploded for a career-high 31 points and powered New Albany to a 67-57 victory in the opening game of a Class 4-A sectional.

The Bulldogs (14-7) advanced to meet Bedford North Lawrence (11-9) in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday. No. 2 Jeffersonville (18-4) eased past Seymour 73-46 in the second game and will face Jennings County (11-11) in the second semifinal.

The championship game is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

New Albany 67, Floyd Central 57:Parrish was the Bulldogs’ first-half offense, scoring 20 as they bulled to a 30-16 lead. He got late help from A.J. Schmidt, who had 16 of his 19 in the second half and hit two dagger jumpers to start the fourth quarter.

But Parrish’s start was crucial for the defending sectional champs. He hit jump shots, penetrated for layups and single-handedly scored while his teammates struggled.

“He did such a nice job,” New Albany coach Jim Shannon said. “He had his game going all the way around.”

Parrish used a 15-footer as his kick-starter and took off. He was 7 of 11 from the field, and his early offense kept the Highlanders (10-13) from establishing control as they did in the regular-season meeting. New Albany won that game 58-57 in overtime Dec. 9 and needed a heroic comeback to do that.

“I just didn’t want to let my team lose,” Parrish said. “I know I’m a leader on this team. I hit that first shot and got in the zone. If I hit that, it’s on.”

New Albany’s defense also had a hand in the Highlanders’ elimination. The Bulldogs gave up only five second-quarter points, and they held their own against Floyd Central big man Jordan Thompson, who had a six-inch advantage over the Bulldogs without Anthony Edwards (out for the season with a dislocated ankle) in the post.

“We tried to go inside-out,” Floyd Central coach Randy Gianfagna said. “It didn’t work as well as we would have liked. The second quarter was pretty big. That makes it tough on you. Then we were playing catch-up, and they were able to take our size advantage away.”

The Highlanders were within striking distance at 37-29 late in the third quarter when Schmidt put them away. He converted a three-point play and hit a 3-pointer to end the quarter, then started the fourth with back-to-back threes for a 49-32 lead.

Those were New Albany’s last baskets. The Bulldogs scored their final 18 points at the foul line and hit 28 of 32 overall at the stripe. They made their first 21 before finally misfiring.

Quinton Miller paced Floyd Central with 17 points, while Nick Bomersbach had 11 and Thompson finished with 10 as the Highlanders suffered their 11th straight loss to New Albany.

“We knew if they powered it in, we would be in for a long night,” Shannon said. “It was a great effort. From where we were early in the year, not shooting well and not playing well, to now, they’ve come a long way. It’s a good time to be playing well. And they want to play some more.”

Jeffersonville 73, Seymour 46: Darryl Baker scored 22 points and Trice Whaley added 17 as the Red Devils rolled past the overmatched Owls (6-15) for the second time this season.

Jeff’s question was focus after posting a 95-40 win at Seymour on Dec. 9. The Red Devils answered that emphatically with a quick start — racing to an 18-6 lead after one quarter — and a ruthless finish as they allowed only seven fourth-quarter points.

“Our kids really knuckled down,” Jeff coach Chad Gilbert said. “Our kids know it’s about surviving and advancing. We’ve got six seniors who don’t want to make any game their last game. That’s what the tournament is all about.”

Whaley was the trigger man early with 11 first-half points without missing a shot. Baker took over from there, totaling 19 after the break. Jeff won for the sixth straight time and 18th in the past 20 in the series.

Matt Lucas had 15 points and Connor Kirtley 12 for the Owls.

Floyd Central (10-13) – Schellenberg 6, Bomersbach 11, Thompson 10, Hussung 2, Miller 17, O’Neal 4, Wortham 5, Smith 2.New Albany (14-7) – Arnold 7, McBirth 4, A. Schmidt 19, Parrish 31, Byrne 3, Stubbins 1, Donastorg 2.3-point goals - Arnold 1, A. Schmidt 4, Parrish 1, Byrne 1, Bomersbach 1, Wortham 1, Miller 1.

Jeffersonville (18-3) – Roland 7, Jor. Ellis 4, Baker 22, Whaley 17, Jon. Ellis 6, Allen 7, Harvey 5, D. Ellis 4, Williams 1.Seymour (6-15) – M. Lucas 15, Hubbard 2, Kirtley 12, Booth 9, Joray 2, Mills 6.3-point goals - Whaley 3, Jon. Ellis 1, Harvey 1, M. Lucas 1, Booth 1, Mills 2.