CAMDEN — Preble Shawnee split a pair of games last week to finish two games above .500, losing 51-50 to Middletown Madison before closing the season on a 75-58 win against Arcanum.
The Arrows started the week at home against Madison on Friday, Feb. 12, jumping out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter. They even outscored Madison 18-14 in the second period and took a 32-21 lead into halftime.
But Madison buckled down on defense in the second half, holding Shawnee to just 18 total points of offense while posting 30 – including a big 20 point fourth quarter – to pull off the down-to-the-wire victory.
Kevin Ketring led Shawnee with 16 points while Thomas Buell added eight points and 10 rebounds. Vince Bulach posted nine points of his own while Joby Williams added seven on the night.
They then closed out the year with a 17-point win over Arcanum on the following day, Saturday, Feb. 13.
Shawnee jumped to a 16-8 lead in the first before exploding for 22 in the second quarter, heading into the break with a 38-23 lead.
Out of the half, they continued to pour it on, outscoring Arcanum 22-12 in the third to amass a 60-35 deficit. The Trojans made a slight comeback in the fourth, but the game was well in hand and the Arrows cruised to a big year-end victory.
Buell led all scorers with 29 points and seven rebounds while Joey Bates added 12 points. Ketring added six points and five assists on the night as well.
The Arrows will take on Brookville in the opening round of the playoffs, taking on the Blue Devils on Saturday, Feb. 20 at Belmont High School. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.