WRV edges South Knox in double overtime

WRV's Cole Goodman (44) tries to establish position on South Knox senior Mitchell Patton Friday night at Switz City. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

Good teams find a way to win even when they're not playing well overall.

The Class A No. 10-ranked Wolverines hung tough against visiting Class 2A South Knox on Friday night and eventually pulled out a thrilling 59-58 double-overtime high school basketball non-conference victory.

Neill said his players are playing as a team, and despite some early season miscues -- especially at the free throw line -- that togetherness has helped WRV to a 3-0 start.

"I think that shows you, to win games like tonight, you have to think we instead of me," Neill stressed. "And that's what I'm seeing."

What he saw at the end of regulation was David McNeal hit two free throws with 0.9 seconds on the clock to send it into the first overtime.

And near the end of the first overtime, Jared Shelton hit a long 3-pointer to tie the game.

"And Jeffrey Hogue came in during overtime and pounded the glass and got us going," Neill said.

Neill said this was the best team the Wolverines have played so far.

"It's only three games, but they've got size, strength and athletic ability. It's a good win for us just because somebody had better athletes than us overall and more size, and we got a nice win," Neill explained.

"I'm just proud of everybody who went on the floor for us."

McNeal led WRV with 21 points, while Shelton added 16 and Cole Goodman eight.

Mitchell Patton -- an IUPUI recruit -- led South Knox with 14 points.

Poor free throw shooting has been a problem for WRV through three games. Against the Spartans the Wolverines were 15 of 32.

"We've struggled from the free throw line, but hey, these kids are finding a way to win. They're gutting it out. That's a positive," Neill said.

"We've not played well overall, but somehow we're digging deep and it's a group effort.

"That's the point we're at. We're beating ourselves, but somehow we rise up (and find a way to win."

WRV won the junior varsity game 42-31.

Cade Hill and John Ashcraft had 12 points each, and Austin Roudebush added six. Rounding out the scoring were Sam Dyar and Trey Graves with three each, and Jordan O'Haver had two. Alec Sipes and Nick Johnson played but didn't score.

WRV is back in action tonight at Mitchell. The JV game starts t 6 p.m.

SOUTH KNOX (58) -- Meyer 0 0-0 0, J.Marchino 4 0-2 11, Wilson 0 3-4 3, Beaman 0 0-0 0, Owens 2 6-6 11, C. Marchino 0 0-0 0, O'Grady 1 0-0 2, Hendershot 5 3-4 13, Welton 2 0-0 4, Patton 7 0-1 14. Totals 21 FG, 12-17 FT, 58 TP.

WHITE RIVER VALLEY (59) -- Hostetter 2 0-2 5, Shelton 5 3-6 16, Sargent 0 0-0 0, Hogue 3 0-1 6, Dyer 0 0-4, 0, McNeal 6 9-11 21, Ressler 0 0-0 0, Dove 1 1-6 3, Goodman 3 2-2 8. Totals 20 FG, 15-32 FT, 59 FG.

3-point goals -- J.Marchino 3, Shelton 3, Owens, Hostetter. Total fouls -- SK 28, WRV 16. Fouled out -- Goodman, Patton, J.Marchino.