Varsity Bulldogs Earn Second Straight SRC Championship

Our varsity boys basketball team became back-to-back Southern Roads Conference Boys Basketball Tournament Champions!

Rafe Garrett, Sports Editor|December 10, 2019

The Bulldogs are back-to-back SRC Boys Basketball Tournament Champions! December 7, 2019.

The past weekend the Cannelton boys varsity basketball team competed in the Southern Roads Conference tournament. This was the second ever SRC tournament, the first one being held last year at Dugger Union High School and was won by the Bulldogs. Cannelton’s main focus this year in the tournament was to become back to back champions and solidify themselves as the front runners of the conference this year before they begin season conference play.

Cannelton played two games on Friday night against the Columbus Christian Crusaders and the Medora Hornets. In the first game against the Crusaders, the Bulldogs mixed their defenses between half-court traps and man defense throughout the whole game. Cannelton had a double digit lead through 3 quarters, but in the fourth quarter Columbus Christian looked to make a comeback. Cannelton was able to hold off the late offensive run from the Crusaders and beat them 61-50.

Rafe Garrett led the Bulldogs in scoring with 15, while Clayton White poured in 11 points and Jace Bryant added to the total with 10 points.

In the next game on Friday night, Cannelton took on the Medora Hornets. Cannelton came out hot and didn’t look back. Cannelton took control early offensively and defensively. They continued to mix their defenses and it worked well.

Garrett once again led Cannelton with 15 points. Sophomore Kyan Earnest scored 12 points in his Varsity season debut, and Devyn Komasinski added 10 points.

With that win, the Bulldogs earned themselves a spot in Saturday’s championship game against the Christian Academy of Madison Defenders.

In the final game on Saturday afternoon, the Bulldogs took on the Christian Academy of Madison Defenders for the SRC championship. Cannelton wanted to focus on taking care of the ball and limit their turnovers in this game which they did a good job of. They knew if they were able to limit turnovers and rebound they would have a good opportunity to win and go back to back.

Cannelton totaled 35 rebounds in the game and kept their turnover number to 16. While they still want their turnover numbers to be lower, this was enough to win the possession battle in the game, which led to the Bulldogs securing the victory.

Cannelton beat the Defenders by a final score of 50-36 and became back-to-back SRC champions.

Rafe Garrett led the Bulldogs with 29 points while Jace Bryant and Bryce Faulkenburg both added in 6 points in the victory.

Garrett also led the team in rebounds and assists with 9 boards and 6 dimes. Jose Flores added in 4 assists to the Bulldogs total and Bryant grabbed 6 rebounds.

The Bulldogs only committed 16 turnovers in the game which they were happy with but still want to bring that number down.

Cannelton comes out of the tournament on a 3 game win streak and want to use this momentum to boost them to more success in their upcoming games.

The Bulldog’s next game is Friday, December 13th against the Tecumseh Braves. There will be coverage of that game here on the Cannelton HiLife.