New Palestine’s Steele Brasfield fakes to get Shelbyville defender Nolyn Smothers to jump before driving around him to score at New Palestine on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. (Richard Sitler/Daily Reporter)
By James Howell Jr./For The Daily Reporter
NEW PALESTINE — Even in Indiana, there are things bigger than basketball.
On Friday night, the New Palestine community joined together to celebrate much more than their Dragons (15-4, 5-1) and their eventual 63-60 win over the Shelbyville Golden Bears (5-12, 0-6). The community unified to rally behind the Eyerman family, and especially Andrew Eyerman, 5, who continues his fight against cancer.
With hundreds in the stands donning shirts that read, “No One Fights Alone,” and, “Andrew’s Army,” the New Palestine community raised more than $3,000 for the Eyermans as Andrew battles leukemia and is receiving chemotherapy at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
Dragons head coach Trent Whitaker was proud of the community and its support for the strong and resilient Eyerman family.
“Tonight gave our team and hopefully everyone a lot of perspective,” Whitaker said. “We are lucky and blessed to be able to come out and play a game while others battle things much more difficult. Win or lose tonight, there was something more important. I’m thankful to both our community and Shelbyville’s for the support tonight and a special shout-out to our student section for getting here early and being loud and proud.”
Along with the donations, the Dragons were also able to get Andrew Eyerman involved as he watched introductions via video chat and was announced as honorary captain of the team.
Eyerman’s teammates did not fail him as they grinded out a hard-fought win again the streaking and hungry Golden Bears.
Winners of three straight before Friday night, the Golden Bears were searching for their first Hoosier Heritage Conference win of the year, while the Dragons looked to remain in contention for the crown.
Early, the Dragons seized control of the game as Blaine Nunnally and Ian Stephens filled the scoresheet.
Regardless of the early success, it was evident that Friday night’s game was not going to be a walk in the park.
By the halfway point of the second quarter, the Dragons stretched their lead to as many as 14, but the energy from the Golden Bears never left the court.
In the third quarter, with the help of five 3-point baskets, the Golden Bears not only drew closer but took the lead for the first time in the game. While the Golden Bears offense was soaring, the Dragons turned to a mismatch in the post for Steele Brasfield to put a bandage on the bleed that was their advantage.
Brasfield scored all ten of the Dragons third quarter points. He then continued to carry the scoring for the Dragons by putting the first five points of the fourth quarter on the board. He finished the night with 24.
Remaining composed despite the seeming inability of the Golden Bears to miss a 3-pointer kept the Dragons safe from dropping the game and their chance at the HHC title. With clutch free throws, Bryant Nunnally was able to put the pressure entirely on the young Golden Bears in the final seconds of the game.
“Shelbyville hit some incredible shots tonight,” Whitaker said. “That team is getting so much better as the season goes on. Credit to Coach Hartnett for keeping their heads in it after the rough start they had. It took composure for us to pull that one out. I am proud of Bryant for stepping up and hitting those free throws that enabled us to tighten up defensively on Shelbyville’s final possession.”
The Dragons can claim a share of the HHC title now next Friday night when they travel to Mt. Vernon. Before then, they must turn their focus to visiting Connersville on Saturday.
New Palestine 63, Shelbyville 60
New Palestine;18;20;10;15;—;63
Shelbyville;11;16;21;12;—;60
New Palestine (15-4, 5-1 HHC): Steele Brasfield 9 2-3 24, Blaine Nunnally 8 1-2 20, Ian Stephens 5 0-1 12, Bryant Nunnally 0 3-4 3, Logan Strong 1 0-0 2, Ben Slagley 1 0-0 2. Totals: 24 6-10 63.
Shelbyville (5-12, 0-6 HHC): Jakob Heaton 11 0-1 27, Ollie Sandman 5 3-4 17, Nolan Smothers 6 0-0 14, Aidan Asher 1 0-0 2, Luke Brinkman 0 0-2 0. 23 3-9 60.
3-point field goals: New Palestine 7 (Blaine Nunnally 3, Brasfield 2, Stephens 2), Shelbyville 11 (Heaton 5, Sandman 4, Smothers 2).
