Rusk High School on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 –
Shelbyville’s Dragons varsity basketball team fought for 52 minutes to take a narrow 93-90 Region III Class 2A Semifinal on Tuesday over the Normangee Panthers in five 4-minute overtime periods. Shelbyville now has a 28-3 season record. Normangee’s season ends with them posting a 28-5 mark.
The Dragons built a 16-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and they held a 32-26 point advantage when the teams headed to the locker rooms at the midway break. The Dragons had a 43-39 lead at the end of the third period and they led 57-53 with just 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Panthers got two late scores to tie the game at 57-57 at the end of regulation.
The first overtime period ended with the teams tied at 61-61. The second extra period ended with each team having 66 points apiece. The third extra frame saw the game tied at 68-68. Both teams exploded for 16 points each in the fourth 4-minute overtime but the elimination game was still tied, this time at 84-84. The Dragons were able to outscore the Panthers 9-6 points in the fifth overtime to earn the win and, to advance to the Region III Finals to face Marlin High School later this week. Marlin beat Hawkins 61-52 to advance. Marlin has a 23-4 season record.
Dragons guard Ja’Davian Mathis scored 43 points and guard DJ Barnes scored 17. The Panthers were led by postman Keelan Adams with 24 points. Junior guards PJ Edwards and Trey Kirven each scored 17 points.
