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Madison-Grant celebrates its third straight softball sectional championship Thursday at Jay Dunlap Field.
The Herald Bulletin
Madison-Grant softball Defeats Eastbrook to Win Third Straight Sectional Crown by Kyle Smedley of The Herald Bulletin
When the final out was called, a sea of black, white, and gold swarmed Jay Dunlap Field.
“It’s unreal, I can’t even describe it,” senior pitcher Elizabeth Lee said. “It just feels like weight off your chest. It’s the best feeling ever.”
That feeling? A sectional championship.
“It’s kind of a release of pressure. It just feels amazing,” senior designated hitter Katie Duncan said.
Although it’s now a feeling Duncan, Lee, and Madison-Grant softball has experienced three seasons in a row, it’s one that creates a lasting impact each time.
“This will never get old,” coach Travis Havens said.
Madison-Grant (25-4) captured the 11th sectional title in program history with a 12-3 win over Eastbrook (19-9). The Argylls’ third consecutive win snapped Eastbrook’s three-game win streak and marked the third time Madison-Grant beat the Panthers this season. The Panthers fell just short in their quest to win their eighth sectional championship and first in a decade.
Lee, Duncan, shortstop Daya Greene, and second baseman MaKennah Clouse have each won a sectional title every year in the program, as they are all seniors and missed a season due to COVID-19. Since their first-round sectional matchup against Elwood, each game they’ve played could have been their final time donning the white, black, and gold.
It hasn’t even set in yet because I feel like we’re so good that I haven’t even thought, ‘Oh, this might be the last game that we’re gonna play,’” Duncan said.
Havens said the four seniors have created a bond that has translated into leadership roles for their younger teammates. Looking back on the time he’s spent with them, Havens realized his perspective on coaching may have changed over the years.
“When I was a younger coach, the most important thing for me was winning and losing, and now I know completely different,” Havens said. “The relationships that you build with players, your coaches, and even parents sometimes, that’s what it’s about.”
After the first two Argylls were sat down in the top of the first, sophomore catcher Johnna Hiatt singled to shallow right field before freshman Cayleigh Stitt entered as a courtesy runner. In the next at bat, Duncan continued her clutch hitting in sectional play with an RBI double to shallow left field.
The Panthers went down in order to end the inning, ensuring Madison-Grant held a 1-0 advantage heading into the second.
The top of the second inning almost mirrored the top of the first for the Argylls, as Eastbrook earned two quick outs before Clouse reached base on a walk. Junior left fielder Madelyn Moore cranked an RBI double to deep right-center field, but this time Madison-Grant didn’t stop at one when Greene drove Moore in with a slicing double to shallow left-center field.
Once again, Lee put away the Panthers in order in the bottom of the inning to keep the Argylls ahead 3-0.
Madison-Grant finally flipped the script in the top of the third when Hiatt and Duncan hit back-to-back singles to start things off. After Eastbrook recorded an out, sophomore center fielder Demie Havens laid down a perfect bunt that ended up getting away from the first baseman, leading to Stitt scoring from second base.
Next, Lee helped herself with a rocket right up the middle for an RBI single. Although the Argylls stranded two, their lead grew to 5-0.
After going without a baserunner in the first two tries, Eastbrook senior second baseman Morgan Dixon drew a walk to lead-off the bottom of the third, and sophomore pitcher Randi Casto followed with a single to left field. Lee bounced back with a strikeout in the next at-bat before senior center fielder Kayleigh Gross gave the Panthers their first run on an RBI double to left-center field.
Senior catcher Addison Coates drew a walk, loading the bases for senior shortstop Chloe Poe, who drove a high fly ball to deep left field that resulted in a sacrifice fly. Lee worked out of a bases-loaded jam to end the inning, but not before Eastbrook cut the score to 5-2.
Although Madison-Grant’s one and two-hole hitters went down quickly in the top of the fourth, Hiatt ripped a single into left-center field for her third hit of the contest. Following her lead, Duncan hit a laser up the middle for a single.
When Stitt tried to score from second on a botched groundball to the shortstop, she was thrown out at the plate, and the Argylls failed to score in an inning for the first time in the contest. However, M-G made up for it, putting down the Panthers in order to end the fourth inning.
Madison-Grant once again started off an inning with back-to-back singles, as Havens and Lee came through in the top of the fifth. Clouse laid down a bunt in the next at-bat, and when the bang-bang play at first base saw Clouse and freshman first baseman Gracie Elliott collide to knock the ball loose, Havens scored from second base.
Another mishap from Eastbrook, this time a wild pitch, led to Lee coming around to score to put the Argylls ahead 7-2 with no outs. Shortly thereafter, Madison-Grant loaded the bases, and another wild pitch led to another run for the Argylls.
After an intentional walk loaded the bases once again, Duncan delivered a two-RBI single to right field. The Panthers turned a double play to end the top of the fifth, but were staring down a 10-2 deficit.
Lee continued her all-around performance in the top of the sixth with a no-doubt home run over the left-field wall that ended Casto’s day in the circle. Casto allowed 11 runs, 13 hits, one walk, and struck out one in five and a third innings pitched before freshman DeLanie Elliott entered in relief.
Elliot sat down Madison-Grant relatively quietly to end the top of the sixth before Eastbrook once again went down in order in the bottom of the inning. With an inning to go, the Argylls held a nine-run advantage.
In her fifth at bat, Duncan sent a ball over the left-field fence for her first home run of sectional play. The Anderson University commit finished the contest five-for-five with three singles, a double, a long ball, and four RBI.
The bottom of the seventh saw high drama, as the Panthers wouldn’t go down without a fight with two outs, reaching base via error and a Gross single before Coates shot a single into the center-field grass. Though the runner scored, Coates was thrown out at second base to secure a 12-3 victory for Madison-Grant.
Lee finished with three runs, four hits and three walks allowed, as well as five strikeouts. At the plate, she collected two singles, a home run, and two RBI.
“If I’m hitting good, I’ll be more confident on the mound. If I’m doing good on the mound, I have more confidence at the plate,” Lee said.
The Argylls now shift their focus to Lapel (18-9), as they host their regional championship matchup Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. The Bulldogs handed Madison-Grant one of its four losses, 11-4, in April. However, the Argylls bounced back with a 7-3 win a month later.
Havens said this experience against Lapel may give Madison-Grant an advantage in the regional title game but knows the Argylls have to approach it as they have every playoff game so far.
Article by Kyle Smedley of The Herald Bulletin
Madison-Grant’s Carley Holliday watches a pitch cross the plate Tuesday against Eastern.
Bob Hickey | For The Herald Bulletin
Holliday connected with a high fastball for her 10th home run of the season, a two-run blast to straightaway center field that put Madison-Grant ahead 3-0. If there was ever a display of the Argylls’ motto ‘Quiet Confidence,’ Holliday showed it.
“We all have a sister bond, and we all have confidence in each other that we’re going to pull through and do what we need to do,” Holliday said.
Madison-Grant coach Travis Havens’ plan against the Comets was the same as it was in the Argylls’ first round-victory over Elwood the night before: get an early lead and hold on for a win. Once again, they delivered, defeating No. 8 Eastern 5-1 to advance to their seventh straight sectional championship game.
Havens said half the reason No. 5 Madison-Grant (24-4) has been able to find so much success is because of the culture Holliday spoke on.
“They have bought into the coaching, they trust us, and they listen to the plan,” Havens said. “I think they know enough about the game that they believe in us.”
The other half, he said, is out of his hands. “We’ve got talented kids, we’ve got competitive kids, we’ve got kids that care about winning, and we’ve got kids that are tough,” Havens said.
Though the Argylls followed their plan on offense, Havens said senior Katie Duncan getting the nod in the circle was not the original plan. Originally, senior Elizabeth Lee was pegged to start for Madison-Grant before Havens decided to go with Duncan due to her dominance in the first round.
Duncan set down the first three Eastern batters in the top of the first, two via strikeout. Senior shortstop Daya Greene reached first base after a throwing error to start things off for Madison-Grant, but Macy bounced back with two straight strikeouts to put the Argylls in danger.
Like she did three times in Round 1, Duncan responded with an RBI single to give Madison-Grant an early lead. Holliday followed with the aforementioned home run to put the Argylls up 3-0 heading into the second.
“I think we work so hard in practice that it comes easy to us in games,” Duncan said. “We’re a hitting team, so it’s kind of easy for us to get an early lead because we’re really aggressive.”
The Comets (21-5) went down in order again in the top of the second, before Madison-Grant caused chaos a second time. Senior second baseman MaKennah Clouse made it all the way to second base on an error before junior left fielder Madelyn Moore hit an infield single to put runners on the corners with one away.
Madison-Grant’s Madelynn Moore slides into home plate but is called out.
Bob Hickey | For The Herald Bulletin
As the Argylls held a 4-0 lead in the top of the third, Eastern finally got things going when junior first baseman Kenzie DeGraaff reached first via error. However, Duncan once again showed her poise under pressure, striking out the next two batters to keep the shutout intact.
Another error led to a batter reaching base in the top of the fourth, this time in the Comets’ favor when Macy reached third base after a botched fly ball to right field. However, this time Eastern brought the runner home when senior catcher Cassidy Keene hit an RBI single past Greene at shortstop.
The Argylls went down in order in the bottom of the fourth, and after freshman right fielder Elle Winger’s leadoff single, Eastern was held at bay in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, Madison-Grant extended its lead to four when Hiatt drove in a run on a groundout.
The Comets loaded the bases in the top of the sixth after an error, walk, and dropped third strike, but Duncan once again evaded disaster as she forced a fly out to right field to keep the Argylls at a 5-1 advantage. For the second time in 24 hours, Duncan pitched a complete game, allowing one run on two hits, one walk, and five strikeouts.
“I don’t think my arm is attached, but it’s OK,” Duncan said. “In eighth period today I told my art teacher, ‘I’m in softball mode now.’"
Madison-Grant’s Makennah Clouse flips the ball to first base for the out.
Show Stopper: Argylls Outlast Eagles for CIC Softball Crown
by Daniel Kehn for the Herald Bulletin
FAIRMOUNT — If you asked Johnna Hiatt about her batting performance before the sixth inning against Frankton on Thursday, she would tell you it wasn’t her best.
The sophomore hit a ground ball into a double play in the bottom of the first before bouncing back with a leadoff double in the bottom of the third but followed it with two strikeouts in her third and fourth at-bats (one looking and one swinging).
“Before (the sixth) I had a pretty bad at-bat,” Hiatt said. “I told myself, ‘I need to just clear my head.’ I know that I can hit the ball, and that’s what I did. I went up there, and I looked for a pitch that I could drive, and I hit it.”
Read the Show Stopper article for the complete details.
Senior Andrew Richards threw four shutout innings, surrendering just one hit and recording four strikeouts, as the visiting Argylls blasted the Panthers 20-1 to return to the Nick Muller Memorial Baseball Tournament semifinals.
Richard Sitler | The Herald Bulletin
M-G Coasts Into Muller Semifinals With Win at Elwood by George Bremer of The Herald Bulletin
For all Madison-Grant’s offensive exploits during Wednesday’s victory at Elwood, the most important feat might have come on the mound.
Senior Andrew Richards threw four shutout innings, surrendering just one hit and recording four strikeouts, as the visiting Argylls blasted the Panthers 20–1 to return to the Nick Muller Memorial Baseball Tournament semifinals.
Richards’ effort was critical with Madison-Grant (3–3) in the midst of a stretch that will see it play four tournament games in five days.
“Being that you’ve got to play consecutive days here — we’re not super deep,” Argylls coach Curt Haisley said. “I feel like we’re OK. I did like our draw, and I liked the way that our rotation — with days of rest and everything — was stacking back up."
“But, at the same time, if somebody goes out and we just have a bad day, and then all of the sudden it just messes up all your plans and now you’re fetching and catching. And, obviously, you’ve gotta win the games and you’ve gotta get there. We do have a plan. I like the way our plan is laid out, but Drew being able to do what he did today is obviously a huge relief.”
Madison-Grant’s Andrew Richards leaps to catch a throw from Braiden Ross to get the force out at second as Xavier Yeagy looks on during the fourth inning against host Elwood in Muller Tournament baseball on Wednesday.
Richard Sitler | The Herald Bulletin
There were few nervous moments for Madison-Grant from the moment Xavier Yeagy drove a lead-off double into right-center field. Teagen Yeagy followed with an RBI single, stole second and scored on a single by Braiden Ross.
When Ross scored two batters later after an error in right field, the Argylls were ahead 3–0 and had all the offense they needed.
Elwood’s lone run came in the bottom of the second inning on a double by Bracken Jetty, but Madison-Grant stole any lingering suspense with a 12-run third inning.
All 14 Argylls who took at least one at-bat either scored a run or drove one in, and the top of the order was particularly effective.
Xavier Yeagy went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and scored four runs, and Teagan Yeagy was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI before giving way to pinch-hitter Richards in the fourth.
Ross was 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs, and clean-up hitter Lucas Humphries finished 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and a run.
Teagan Yeagy’s presence as the DH for the first three innings might have been the most welcome aspect. One of the Argylls’ preseason leaders, he suffered a UCL injury in his elbow and could be looking at Tommy John surgery in the near future.
Madison-Grant's Teagan Yeagy hits the ball during the third inning against Elwood on Wednesday.
Richard Sitler
It was unclear in the immediate aftermath of the diagnosis whether Teagan Yeagy would still be able to contribute. But he provided an emotional lift against the Panthers (1–5).
“When you’ve got a guy that’s a .500 hitter and just the leader of your squad, when you lose that — and at the same time, he should be one of our dudes on the mound and the leader,” Haisley said. “He should be playing shortstop. He should be the leader of our infield. So essentially, when you lose that, it’s a pretty good gut punch. And it was a big step back, and everyone’s asking you when you show up at practice, they’re messaging you, ‘What are we gonna do now? What’s the next step?’
“So you’ve just gotta look at the younger guys, and you’ve just gotta tell them it has to be the next-man-up mentality. The couple games that Teagan was out, he was still very much a leader, and he might as well have been another coach for us here. But you can see a big peace of mind with those guys seeing him back on the field and knowing that he’s a part of it, and also you can see it in him, too. It’s a joy.
“You can see the joy back in him being able to be on the field, and then he also feels connected and being a part of the team.”
The Argylls had no shortage of contributors against Elwood. The five players who entered the game as pinch hitters alone accounted for four hits, five runs and three RBI.
Madison-Grant finished with 19 hits overall, including six doubles, while taking advantage of seven Panthers’ errors.
Elwood's Jackson Blackford hits the ball during the second inning and was later batted in by Bracken Jetty during Muller tournament action against Madison-Grant on Wednesday.
Lead-off hitter Jayden Mullins accounted for Elwood’s only other hit, singling with two outs in the fifth. The Panthers will host Frankton in the consolation round Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
The Argylls’ victory sets up an interesting set of semifinals, also Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Pendleton Heights will meet Lapel on one side of the bracket, with Madison-Grant traveling to Anderson’s new diamond on the other side.
Those two pairings represent the two most recent Muller championship games. The Argylls won the title with an 11–8 decision against the Indians in 2021, and the Bulldogs beat the Arabians 9–5 in last year’s final.
“We played them last year towards the end of the year,” Haisley said of Anderson. “Very competitive game, kind of got away from us there at the end. So the way that our rotation is set up, I do like the arms that we’ve got available going into it (Beckley and Ross).
“The last two games we have hit the ball really, really well. So I like where we’re at offensively, and then — like I said — where we are going with our options on the bump there, I think we have a really good chance, really good shot.”
Madison-Grant’s Makennah Clouse throws the ball to first base after fielding a ground ball.
Bob Hickey | The Herald Bulletin
Argyll Softball Focusing on Repeating 2022 Post-Season Run by Rich Torres of The Herald Bulletin
Last year is exactly that for Madison-Grant softball coach Travis Havens.
While Havens does look back fondly on last season’s final four post-season run, historic 24 wins, and the program’s 10th overall - and second straight - sectional title, and fourth regional championship, it’s time to turn the page.
“It’s a different team. It’s a different year. We have high expectations every year. We’re not crazy enough to think it’s just going to happen again,” Havens said. “We have very similar goals every year. A lot of that involves winning our conference, winning some tournaments whether that being our Argyll Invitational or the Grant County Tournament or the Madison County Tournament and then, obviously, state tournament games.”
The Argylls won four straight state tournament contests in 2022, but unfortunately victory number five eluded them with a narrow 4-3 loss to Eastside in the class 2A semi-state.
Now, it’s time to reload and try again - to aim for a potential second state title. A feat the Argylls haven’t achieved since 2009.
The key to success in 2023, Havens said, begins and ends in increments, starting with finding answers leftover by the graduation of 105 combined RBI and 101 runs from the standout trio of Anzlee Thomas, Chelsea Parker, and Chelsea Bowland.
“Honestly, I don’t know how it will all turn out, but I believe potentially, we can win any game we take the field on. As a competitor, I wouldn’t want to take the field if I didn’t think we could win,” Havens said. “We have a lot of kids that need to step up and fill in some spots of graduation losses, but we feel we have kids that can do that.
“I always tell the kids, if they don’t believe they can win, then let’s not get on the bus.”
The program’s fuel budget won’t have a surplus by season’s end.
“It’s a collective group, and collectively we just need to fill those roles and see what happens,” Havens said. “We have four seniors that all started last year. Three of them were all-conference kids as juniors.”
Madison-Grant’s Daya Greene claps as she prepares to lead off from second during the first inning against Western at Jay Dunlap field Wednesday.
Richard Sitler | The Herald Bulletin
Senior Daya Greene (.436 batting average, 25 RBI) will return at shortstop and hit leadoff. Senior Makennah Clouse (.381) will start at second base and is building toward an all-central Indiana conference season.
The Argylls return two All-CIC pitchers in seniors Elizabeth Lee and lefty Katie Duncan.
Duncan posted a 2.43 ERA as a junior with a 9-3 record and 55 strikeouts in 92 1/3 innings. Lee had a 2.74 ERA with an 8-2 record and 51 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings.
“It’s an interesting dynamic having two kids that have both pitched those kinds of innings. They’ve both pitched in regional championship games. Two years ago, Elizabeth Lee kind of carried us throughout the postseason, and then last year, it was the other way around, and Katie Duncan did more of the postseason pitching,” Havens said. “They’re both very capable, and we’ve had a sophomore pitch fairly well in McKenna Craig.
“They’re all three a little bit different, and we’ll probably try to use them a little bit differently.”
Run support will be a group effort, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see further growth from sophomore Carley Holliday who had a breakout freshman campaign with a .390 average, 25 RBI and a team-best six home runs.
“We started three freshmen last year. Two of them played defensively and one of them led us in home runs,” Havens said. “You never know what you’re going to get necessarily each year as far as contributions from your freshmen, but it’s not uncommon, at least at Madison-Grant, to play freshmen, and all three of them held their own, and we feel they’ll do the same as sophomores this year.”
Katie Duncan pitches for Madison-Grant during the fourth inning Wednesday at Jay Dunlap Field against Western.
Richard Sitler | The Herald Bulletin
Along with Holliday at first base, sophomore returners Johnna Hiatt (.292) and Demie Havens will start at catcher and center field, respectively.
At this point, junior Maegan Wilson (.308) will take over at third base, and junior Maddy Moore (.357) is projected to fill out the outfield.
“Those two kids have been two of our better players overall in our preseason workouts and first couple weeks of the season in practice,” Havens said. “Maddy is a three-sport athlete and plays volleyball and basketball, so she’s going to be fine in the outfield. She has good speed and a strong arm. Maegan plays volleyball, so she’s an athletic kid, and hopefully she can fill the role that Chelsea Bowland had last year at third base.”
Lee has proven to be a dual threat on the diamond after hitting .429 as a junior with 31 RBI and 13 doubles. Duncan (.400, 27 RBI, nine doubles) is also more than capable offensively.
“Duncan through post-season games, and even in the semistate, was a very tough out,” Havens said. “Lee was at one time leading the area in doubles. So far, in our preseason, sophomore Johnna Hiatt has been as good as anybody at the plate, so we’re looking to fill a pretty strong lineup from top to bottom and see how it turns out.”
Last season, the Argylls tasted postseason success, but they had to settle for second in the CIC with a 6-1 record behind defending champion Frankton (7-0), which beat Madison-Grant 3-2 in extra innings during the regular season.
However, no team on their schedule will be highlighted more than the other despite the past.
“As soon as you focus on one team and one team only, then someone else is going to sneak up and beat you because our conference is pretty deep throughout,” Havens said. “A lot of teams this year will be better than they were last year, but as always Frankton and Coach (Jeremy) Parker are going to be a handful. We’re not going to overlook anybody.”
M-G's Brooks Now a Senior Leader, and a Fast One by Rob Hunt of The Herald Bulletin
Madison-Grant’s Tanner Brooks speaks prior to the high school track and field meet at Anderson University
David Humphrey | For The Herald Bulletin
When Tanner Brooks steps into the starter block at a Madison-Grant (M-G) track meet, fans should refrain from blinking.
They might miss something spectacular.
The Argylls senior is picking up this spring where he left off a year ago when he made it to the state finals in the 200 meters.
On Saturday, Brooks moved up the rankings in the state for indoor small-school qualifying in the 60-meter dash at Anderson University in 7.05 seconds, a full tenth of a second faster than the previous week at Indiana Wesleyan.
"Oh, he's going to be ecstatic with that," M-G coach T.J. Herniak said of the time.
He is currently seeded third in the state for small schools in the event and will run this weekend in Bloomington at the Hoosier State Relays.
An absolute blur on the track, Brooks has his sites set on another deep postseason run. Not only is he eyeing a return to the state finals in the 200, he is closing in on the school record in the 100-yard dash and is part of a pair of relay teams - 1,600 and 800 - that have high hopes as well.
The five-time Madison County track champion - a sixth title was lost due to a disqualification - feels he is right where he needs to be at this time of the season, which is far ahead of last year.
"I feel accomplished, but I've got to keep digging for more," he said. "It's not enough. I'm never satisfied."
"I think he's improved. He's definitely much stronger," Herniak said. "He's carrying about 20 more pounds for track season than he was last year, so I told him to lay off the curls in the weight room. He's gotten bigger. He's gotten stronger, but he hasn't lost a step."
In a uniquely individual sport as track and field can be and as deserving of the spotlight as Brooks is, he shies away from it in a sense.
He would prefer to share his athletics glory with his teammates, hoping for their success as much as for his own. This is not to say Brooks does not relish his own achievements. He certainly does and celebrates them as vigorously as ever. But with maturation that has come over the last four years, he also wants his teammates to succeed, especially fellow football players Andy Stanley and Cole Stitt who join Brooks on the 800-meter relay team.
"If we all have success in our individual events, then we'll have success as a team, and that's something I preach a lot," Herniak said. "For Tanner, that shows an evolution for him as an athlete. As a freshman, he was very cocky and focused on his own success and didn't really care what anyone else did. But now, he really celebrates his teammates' success and wants to see his teammates do well and be right up there with him. He's excited about where we can go as a team."
If Brooks is competing - even from the sideline - he's a happy camper.
"I just love competing, even watching others compete," he said. "I just have that drive in me. I need to compete and do something. Even during basketball season, I have to cheer them on. That's my team."
"He loves competition. That's for sure," Herniak said. "Any time he has an opportunity to beat somebody, he's all about it. Tanner is a special kid from that aspect. A lot of kids you can't teach competitiveness. They either have it or they don't. For Tanner to have both the talent and the competitiveness, it makes him that much more special."
Brooks was dominant on the football field for the Argylls rushing for over 2,000 yards and 36 touchdowns last season. Despite the fact many of his attempts on the field ended with him standing up - largely untouched - in the end zone, he still needed some time to recoup from the physical demands of the sport which he will continue playing at Wabash College next year.
With daily reminders from M-G strength and conditioning coach Brock Massey to ice and rest his muscles, Brooks largely took it easy over the winter in preparation for this spring. He said he feels stronger and better now than he ever has and is ready to do to his sprinting competitors what he largely did to would-be tacklers.
Leave them in his wake.
"I feel like a new man," Brooks said. "I'm mostly excited to see how we can do because we have more drive than we've had in recent years. We need eyes on Madison-Grant this year."
On Friday, January 6, all MGJSHS students participated in Career Day. Seventh and eighth grade students participated in a Reality Store and Tech Trek competition. Freshmen went to three career sessions with local professionals, had a meeting with John Hinds Career Center, and joined the Reality Store in the afternoon. Sophomores went to four career sessions and learned about their personal style through the DISC assessment. Juniors and seniors went to four career sessions in the morning and then had three additional sessions focused on college and careers available in Grant and Madison counties in the afternoon. Over 30 local professionals joined us to share about their careers and experiences—many of our speakers were Madison-Grant alumni. It was an active day full of exciting learning opportunities!
Madison-Grant's Howell Enters the Record Books by Rob Hunt of The Herald Bulletin
Each week we bring the readers a few of the highlights from the previous days of individual and team athletics accomplishments from some of the games, matches, and meets The Herald Bulletin sports was unable to cover.
Tuesday, December 27
Madison-Grant fell in overtime to Oak Hill 60-57 in the Grant 4 semifinal despite 23 points from Peyton Southerland. In the third-place game, the Argylls routed Eastbrook 90-47 behind a record-setting performance from senior guard Jase Howell. He made 14 of 18 field goals overall including 12-of-15 from three-point range and scored 42 points for the Argylls. His 12 three-point baskets set Grant 4, Grant County, and school records.
Lapel opened play in the Northeastern Holiday tournament with a 66-60 win over Winchester. Brode Judge scored 22 to lead the way, and Matt Carpenter added 13 points for the Bulldogs who later fell to New Castle in the semifinal and placed fourth following a loss to Delta.
In Alexandria's holiday invitational, the Tigers defeated Southwestern 55-35 in the opener but dropped a 66-45 decision to Ritter in the title game. Owen Harpe led the Tigers with 26 points for the two games while Braxton Pratt added 13 points.
Wednesday, December 28
Alexandria finished ninth at the East Central Indiana Classic among 13 wrestling teams. Senior Isaiah Fye took the 113-pound championship and improved to 19-0 on the season while Ezra Fye (15-4) advanced to the 120-pound final before falling to Taye Curtis from the host Jay County Patriots.
In the girls Grant 4, Madison-Grant upended Oak Hill 48-29 in the semifinal behind 10 points from Maddy Moore but fell to Eastbrook 64-13 in the championship game. In the title game, Daya Greene passed Danyelle Hutson as the program's all-time leader in steals.
Friday, December 30
Several area wrestling teams completed two-day holiday tournaments on Thursday and Friday.
In Greentown, Madison-Grant finished the tournament with an 8-1 record falling only to champion Freemont. Individually, three Argylls won weight-class titles including Tripp Haisley (113), Cole Stitt (170), and Braiden Ross (195).
Anderson, Daleville and Shenandoah took part in the 32-team Connersville Spartan Classic with the Indians placing 24th, the Broncos 27th, and the Raiders coming in 29th. Tremayne Brown (170) was the top placing Anderson athlete with a sixth-place finish while Mayson Lewis finished fourth for the Raiders. Reazon Davenport (160) was eighth for the Broncos.
Pendleton Heights (PH) was fourth and Lapel was 15th at the 16-team North Montgomery Duals with Jack Todd (25-0) taking the 145-pound championship for the Arabians and being named the most outstanding wrestler of the meet. Alex Heineman (132) and Garrett Pederson (182) were runners-up for PH. Lapel had a pair of sixth-place wrestlers in Paige Stires (113) and Alan Buzan (120).
Reigning and Defending Argylls Claim Third Straight Sectional Title by Rob Hunt of The Herald Bulletin
Alexis Baney (2) holds up the sectional championship trophy while Daya Greene (3) shows off the game ball to their celebrating teammates after Madison-Grant defeated Eastern for the Sectional 39 championship.
Rob Hunt | The Herald Bulletin
After graduating six key seniors from the 2021 sectional championship team, expectations were not as high for the 2022 Madison-Grant volleyball team, a team that would be playing with a bullseye on its back all season.
But driven by their two senior stars, the Argylls have won 12 straight matches after overcoming a sluggish start to knock off Eastern 3-1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-15) and win their third straight sectional championship and the 18th in the program’s rich history.
“It’s a lot of pressure on these kids, even on the younger kids who aren’t seniors, to be successful,” M-G coach Kayla Jump said. “I don’t know if people know how much stress they’re put under for that. A lot of people wouldn’t play with our expectations, and for me, that’s the best part. If you don’t have expectations to hit a certain level, you’re just wasting your time. I’m really proud of them.”
At the outset, the Comets were the aggressors, taking advantage of Argyll errors and an offense that sputtered early. M-G (27-5) was not playing like the 10th-ranked team in Class 2A, and the players knew it.
After dropping the first set and playing even with Eastern (16-17) through much of the second set, seniors Alexis Baney and Daya Greene had a message for their teammates — many of whom are postseason full-time players for the first time.
“We realized that it was time that, if we wanted to win, that we had to pick it up because they were outworking us, and we were not working hard enough,” Baney said. “We were making mistakes on dumb little errors. We weren’t talking. We were getting really mad. Then, when we’re mad, we yell at each other. But we got it together and did it as a team.”
The message worked.
Including a five-point service run from Baney, the Argylls outscored the Comets 13-4 to close out set 2 and 63-34 the balance of the match. They very much looked the part of the sectional favorites.
“We started off pretty slow, and after that first set, we said ‘Oh, we cannot do this,’” Greene said. “We’re not going five. We’re endingthis. We got in the huddle, and Kayla really ripped us…after that, we’ve really got to get it together.”
Jump said it was less about mechanics and playing well but more about having fun and celebrating the positives early in the match. Once the excitement and the smiles were back, M-G looked more like itself.
“We got a little bit faster, and once we got our speed back up, we started having fun,” Jump said. “I’m yelling at them to celebrate, and
that’s a little disheartening because I’m a big smile person, and when I yell, I’m loud. Even when we scored a cheap point, they were just walking around and I said, ‘This is no fun.’ I think we started having more fun and got more excited after each point.”
A Maddy Moore ace gave the Argylls set point, and Maegan Wilson put away one of her seven kills to even the match at 1-1.
From there, Baney took over.
The 6-foot senior recorded two early blocks to give M-G a lead it never relinquished in the third set at 5-3 before a booming kill from Baney pushed the lead to 11-6. Junior Ella Brummet added three of her six kills during the all-important third set as the Argylls took a 2-1 lead.
A Demie Havens block on the opening point of the fourth set charged up the M-G bench, but it wasn’t until three straight Baney kills made it a 19-11 lead the Argylls could sense the end was in sight. On championship point, sophomore Johnna Hiatt’s sixth kill clinched Madison-Grant’s third straight title.
“It feels great. It really does,” Baney said. “You really never know at sectional time when the last time you play is, especially since this is the last time I’m playing (at home) ever. It is really sad, but I’m glad to have the team behind me. We had a great connection this year.”
Alexis Baney sends over one of her 18 kills during Madison-Grant’s 3-1 win over Eastern on Saturday night.
Rob Hunt | The Herald Bulletin
Baney finished the match with 18 kills, eight blocks, and two aces, Moore had 34 assists and four kills, and Havens wound up with six kills and two blocks.
It was a record-setting day individually for Greene, who recorded 34 digs and two aces in the championship match. Earlier in the day, during M-G’s 3-0 sweep of Tipton in the semifinal, Greene had 31 digs and passed Maddi Evans for the program record for digs in a season. She now owns the school record for digs in a match, season, and for her career.
“I remember when I was little watching Maddi, and I always wanted to be like her, do as good as she did and pass her records,” Greene said. “It really shows me that I’ve worked hard to get this record, and I’m getting up there, comparable to her.”
Jenna Odle — daughter of former Indiana University basketball player Jarrad Odle — led the Comets with 12 kills, three blocks, and eight assists while Adalyn Downing added 13 assists.
The Argylls will return to familiar territory for next week’s regional when they face 2A second-ranked Wapahani (28-5) at noon in the second semifinal match.
Argylls Sweep Frankton, Advance to Regional Final by Scott Hunt of the Chronicle Tribune
Madison-Grant's Ben Pax follows through on a backhand shot during the No. 1 doubles match against Frankton Tuesday in Marion Regional semifinals. Pax and partner Brogan Brunt won 6-0, 6-3 and helped the Argylls top the Eagles, 5-0.
Scott Hunt/shunt@chronicle-tribune.com
Madison-Grant continued its impressive roll into the 2022 boys' tennis postseason Tuesday evening with an impressive Marion Regional debut.
The Argylls seized momentum early on in their third meeting of the fall against Central Indiana Conference-rival, Frankton, and M-G earned its most decisive triumph yet over the Eagles with a 5-0 sweep.
If Madison-Grant experienced any nervousness about making its first-ever regional appearance, it certainly didn’t show.
“Being in the situation last week, taking out defending champion Mississinewa then Marion at their place (to win the Marion Sectional), I think the pressure was a little off there being on these courts,” said Argylls coach Tony Pitt. “They handled that pretty well.”
Much better, in fact, than did Frankton, who made its first regional appearance since 1995 and only the second in its boys' tennis history.
“Madison-Grant came out loose and confident and did what they had to do,” said Frankton coach Mark Hartley, whose all underclass lineup finished the season 14-7. “If we’re fortunate enough to get back again next year, we can use (the experience), come in with some different energy, some confidence. That’s huge. The mental part is huge.”
In M-G’s 3-2 win over Frankton in the Madison County tourney consolation match on August 26 and the 4-1 victory in Fairmount on September 7, the Eagles won the No. 1 doubles position each time.
However, junior Brogan Brunt and sophomore Ben Pax helped set the tone for M-G Tuesday with a 6-0, 6-3 over sophomores Jackson Alexander and Jon Hobbs.
The wave of momentum continued to grow on the singles courts for the Argylls as sophomore Luke Gilman efficiently defeated junior Max Barr, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1.
Junior Clayton Hull jumped out to a 5-0 at No. 3 singles but had to hold on as sophomore Aaron Hartley won four-straight games and had a point to tie it up. Hull fought off the challenge to finish the first-set win 6-4 then cruised to a 6-0 decision in the second.
M-G’s No. 2 doubles team of seniors Soren Price and Davin Barton battled back and forth with juniors Logan Sutton and Jarett Needler to a 7-5 win in the first set, then earned a 6-3 second-set win to score the third and clinching point just a few minutes before Hull’s match concluded.
Junior Christopher Fox finished M-G’s sweep with a 6-4, 6-1 win over junior Sam Barr at No. 2 singles.
“We started out a little flat with the exception of one doubles and three singles. As the match went on we picked it up a little bit and we competed really well,” Pitt said.
Madison-Grant improved its record to 21-4 and earned a date opposite another team of Eagles Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on Bill Beekman Courts trying to win its first-ever regional title in its first appearance.
Only the Argylls will see a team quite familiar with regional competition in Delta, who won its 30th straight sectional title last week. The Eagles rank ninth in Indiana history with 24 regional championships.
Delta lost just 10 total games in defeating Jay County, 5-0 on Tuesday.
Pitt is confident the Argylls will be ready to go to battle against Delta.
“I anticipate the kids coming out ready to play and not being intimidated by the situation just because we’ve been in some spots before,” he said. “We’ve already preached it before and we’ll preach it again, we’re not playing the name on the front of the jersey. We’re not playing the team that has won 30 straight sectionals and however many regionals.
“We’re just playing another team. Granted, a good team, but we are playing another team that if we play well and compete well, I think good things can happen out of that.”
Argylls Claim First Tennis Sectional Championship by Rob Hunt of The Herald Bulletin
For months, Christopher Fox and his Madison-Grant (M-G) teammates have put in extra hours on the tennis courts, often well past dark and often forcing coach Tony Pitt to send them home.
“This is a goal they've set from day one. This is our year for sectional,” Pitt said. “Yesterday, when we got back from the Mississinewa match, I had to turn the lights on for them, and they just love each other. This group has been together forever. … They just love the competition and to push each other.”
On Thursday, September 29 that extra effort bore fruit as Fox reversed a regular-season loss, and the Argylls swept past Marion 5-0 to claim the school’s first tennis sectional championship.
The Argylls won the title in near-perfect fashion, sweeping defending champion Mississinewa 5-0 a day before rolling past a Giants program that has amassed 32 sectional championships in its program’s storied history. Mississinewa and Marion have combined to win the last 14 titles in this sectional.
“I just love the fight these kids have,” Pitt said. “This is the first time going into a sectional final that I wasn’t nervous. It’s just a testament of the kids and how they handled things yesterday, and I knew they would do the same today.”
The tone was set early by Fox when he jumped ahead 3-0 in his number two singles match against Elijah Maki. The Giants’ player won the next two games, but otherwise, Fox was in control throughout in a 6-3, 6-2 win.
The M-G players fed off each other’s energy as they saw Fox’s fast start as well as a quick one-set lead in both doubles matches.
Soren Price and Davin Barton are M-G’s only seniors, and they comprise their number two doubles team. They put the first point on the board with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Dylan Schuh and Gabe Clark while Ben Pax and Brogan Brunt were nearly as efficient at number one doubles in taking a 6-2, 6-2 win over Todd Pederson and Daniel Terhune.
From there, the rout was on.
“It’s a true team atmosphere with these kids, and it’s great to see,” Pitt said.
While Fox and number one singles player Luke Gilman were still playing, it was Clayton Hull at number three singles who scored the clinching point after posting a convincing 6-0, 6-1 win over Ryan Spitzer.
“We made sure to bring the energy and lift each other up the whole time,” Hull said. “Doubles yelling, singles yelling, back and forth, we made sure to keep each other up.”
After Fox closed out Maki for the 4-0 lead, the team gathered near court one where Gilman was in a battle with Ryan Sebastian. The Giants number one player had controlled the first set 6-2, but Gilman bounced back 6-4 in the second to even the match and force a third.
Knowing the team result was already decided took the pressure off Gilman to finish the sweep.
“Winning that second set just gave me a big boost of energy and seeing everyone win made me happy for them,” he said. “I knew that my match meant a lot even though we already won sectional. … There was a lot on the line, but the pressure was off because I knew I was moving on.”
Holding the trophy after the matches made the extra work, the late nights and inconveniencing their coach well worth it.
“It was the next step, like coach said” Fox said. “It means a lot for everyone to come out here and give it their all. We went 3-2 with Marion earlier this year and sweeping them tonight feels so good.”
The regional semifinal opponent for the Argylls will be the winner of Friday’s Anderson sectional championship between Lapel and Frankton.
The Argylls make no bones about who they would like to see in that first matchu- the team that knocked them off in the Madison County semifinals.
“We know Frankton is a nice team. We’ve played twice and had some good battles,” Pitt said. “If it is Frankton, hopefully, we’ll be ready for that challenge. We have four losses this year, and it would be nice to have another crack at Lapel.”
The regional will also be played on Marion’s courts with the winners from Delta and Jay County comprising the second semifinal. Both semifinal matches will be played on Tuesday, October 4 with the championship match slated for Wednesday, October 5.
Argylls Sweep Elwood to Wrap Up First-Ever CIC Title by Scott Hunt of the Chronicle-Tribune
The Madison-Grant (M-G) boys tennis team put an emphatic stamp on the first central Indiana conference (CIC) championship in program history on Tuesday, September 20 with a 5-0 win at Elwood.
The Argylls finished the CIC portion of their schedule with a 5-0 record, made even more impressive by the fact they swept every opponent but Frankton, who M-G defeated 4-1 on September 7.
“Not just to do it but, to do it decisively, this has been a goal for awhile,” said Argyll coach Tony Pitt, who has been the boys tennis coach at M-G since 2007. “A lot of the kids have older brothers that played and we had some seasons where we thought we had chance, we just couldn’t quite get by either Frankton or Mississinewa which have had a stranglehold on the conference.
“They’ve worked at it. The first day they set the goal, and it’s great to see them, as a team, be able to accomplish it.”
Madison-Grant’s efficient conference-clinching sweep of Elwood included Luke Gilman earning a 6-4, 6-2 decision at number one singles, Christopher Fox taking a 6-2, 6-1 triumph at number two, and Clayton Hull breezing to a 6-0, 6-0 win at number three.
Ben Pax and Brogan Brunt claimed a 6-1, 6-1 win at number one doubles while Soren Price and Davin Barton battled to a 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 win at two doubles.
The Argylls celebrated with a team pic after sewing up the win over Elwood and quick stop for supper on the way out of town.
Upon arriving back at the school in darkness a little after 8:00 p.m., most of the players quickly departed for home, but a few also stayed, flipped on the tennis court lights, grabbed a ball bin, and went back to work.
Sure, the first set of numbers will soon go up on the banner for boys tennis inside M-G’s gymnasium, but the Argylls want more before this historic season ends.
“We celebrated it, but while we were in the breakdown the kids were like this isn’t our end goal,” Pitt said. “We have bigger fish to fry and that’s next week.
“At the same time I want them to enjoy the moment, too. Not just concentrate solely on sectional, but enjoy the ride to get there.”
The IHSAA will announce the pairings for the 56th-annual boys tennis state tournament on Monday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. during a show streamed live on IHSAAtv.org.
First serves in the four-team Marion Sectional semifinals will go up on Wednesday, September 28 at 5:00 p.m. The championship is scheduled for Thursday, September 29 at 5:00 p.m.
Greene Digs Her Way into Madison-Grant Record Books by Scott Hunt of the Chronicle-Tribune
Former Madison-Grant volleyball coach Bob Holloway didn’t mince words when talking about current Argyll senior Daya Greene.
“Daya’s the best passer we’ve ever had at Madison-Grant,” Holloway opined on more than one occasion since he retired as Argylls’ varsity coach a few years ago.
And it’s difficult to argue against Holloway’s notion.
Greene is a two-time Class 2A first-team All-State player, a first-team All-Central Indiana Conference performer for three seasons, and has been M-G’s starting libero since the first match of her freshman season.
Most importantly, Greene’s role on the court has been the backbone of M-G’s defense, as an energizer and as a coach on the floor.
Current M-G coach Kayla Jump, who is Holloway’s daughter, uses the phrase “put it on the wall” to her teams as they work towards winning matches, conferences, and tournaments.
Recently, Greene put her name on the wall twice and into the Madison-Grant record books by doing what she does best in volleyball passing.
At Tipton on August 25, Greene reached 1,251 career digs, which moved her to the top of that list. She broke the 12-year-old record previously held by Lauren Stanley Lutton, who had broken Jump’s record previously.
Greene then put her name on the wall again by digging up 40 balls against Eastbrook on August 30 to set the single-match record at M-G.
Greene’s relationship with Holloway, Jump, and Madison-Grant volleyball goes way back to shortly after she learned to walk.
“My mom used to coach in junior high, so me and my sister would go to practice every day,” Greene said, recalling memories from when she was three. “We’d be off in the corner touching a ball, and ever since then, I’ve had a volleyball in my hand. Volleyball has run in my family, and it’s been our go-to whenever we’re free, it’s like volleyball, volleyball.”
“Me and my sister used to play every single day in the yard. All I did was work on passing, so I was hoping I wasn’t a setter,” she added with a big smile. “I’ve played club, so I got a lot of touches during the week and on the weekends. I’ve just worked.”
The career digs record came onto Jump and Greene’s radar late last season. The single-match record was something Greene had been eyeing since her freshman year, though she was caught off guard when she learned that she’d broken it.
“Freshman year against Northfield I was nine away from one of the records, and that’s when I thought, I’m beating some of these records. My name is going to be on the wall,” Greene said. “I need up there. Having that career (record) and having Bob talk about me like he does, it boosts my confidence, and now I know.
“I came out here for the career award, then she said (the single-match record), and my heart just stopped. I’ve been wanting that one since my freshman year.”
Jump said she’s been friends with Greene’s parents since before her senior was born, so seeing her put her name on the wall and earn the individual accolades is something the coach is extremely proud about.
“We used to see her running around when she was eight-, nine-, ten-years-old and passing better than a lot of the kids ahead of her,” Jump said. “I said, hey, if you could be the best passer we’ve ever had. By junior high, we said you’ve got to get with it because you will be. It’s nice to see.
“It doesn’t come natural, but she makes it look natural. She’s put in a lot of work,” she added. “She focuses on everything around her and reading to make it happen. It’s great to see her break our records. ... I don’t know if she’ll get up to Maddi Evans’ season record. I hope she does. I hope she clears the board.”
The downside to Greene’s 40-dig night at Eastbrook is that the Argylls lost to the Panthers for the first time in over a decade.
The ties between Eastbrook and M-G run deep. Panther coach Bailie Havens is the older sister of Argyll sophomore Demie Havens. Their dad, Travis Havens, coaches Greene on M-G’s softball team. Eastbrook’s Kayleigh Gross is a cousin to Jump.
So the loss didn’t sit well in the M-G family.
“We were really down for a couple days,” Greene said. “Losing to Eastbrook, it’s close, it’s family. You never want to lose to Eastbrook, but we know we play them first in Grant Four, so we’re working hard and trying to get better.”
Greene and senior Alexis Baney, another 2A All-State player a year ago, were the only returning players for M-G to bring much varsity experience into 2022, so they’ve been thrust into an important leadership role.
Even with the loss to Eastbrook, Madison-Grant goes into Madison County Tourney play Saturday at Elwood with a 12-2 record.
Jump credits Greene and Baney for not only their performance but their roles as teachers and mentors for the younger Argylls.
“We’ve always relied on them, now as the only returning players, I think there was a little pressure on them,” Jump said. “They’ve looked around at everyone else, and kind of said, ‘hey, you need to start playing with us.’ It’s a learning opportunity for everyone. They do really well.
“Lexi wants everyone to be great at everything. Daya will help you, but she will also coach you and tell you every shot to make, where you’re supposed to be at. It’s not about them, it’s about we need you to do your part to make everything successful,” she added. “We talked tonight and (Greene) said, ‘if they do not hit the shot I tell them to, I’m going to get really mad.’ I said welcome to coaching.”
Argylls Control Own Destiny for First CIC Boys Tennis Title by Rob Hunt of The Herald Bulletin
The walls of the Madison-Grant (M-G) gymnasium are adorned with banners celebrating the various championships - Grant 4, sectional, and regional among others - that have been won by each of the school's sports programs, and up until now there is one program whose banner is blank.
On Wednesday, September 7 the Argylls boys tennis team took a big step toward ending that particular tradition.
Madison-Grant's Luke Gilman prepares to return a forehand shot Wednesday night when the Argylls hosted the frankton Eagles
Bob Hickey | For The Herald Bulletin
Luke Gilman led another M-G singles sweep with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Max Barr, and the Argylls rolled to a 4-1 victory over Frankton - clearing a major obstacle to capturing the program's first central Indiana conference championship.
The win also marked the 150th for coach Tony Pitt as leader of the boys team. He already has 161 wins and four CIC titles as girls coach and with still more work to do this season, is nearing that first conference title in the fall.
"It just means I've been around for a while," Pitt said. "We've had some great groups. I can't remember one of those 150 where I took one serve, one forehand, or one backhand."
The Argylls are now 12-1 overall and have already defeated longtime conference powerhouse Mississinewa earlier this season to start 3-0 in the CIC. Gilman - who improved to 12-1 individually - said being a part of the first team to capture a title in program history would be special.
"That's a big achievement, being the first team up there, even with good teams last year and the year before that," he said. "It's an accomplishment being that one team and would be a great feeling."
The strength of the Argylls team all season has been the play of its three junior singles players. In addition to Gilman, Christopher Fox and Clayton Hull are now 13-0 after their wins against Frankton. Fox defeated Sam Barr 7-5, 6-2 at number two singles while Hull defeated Aaron Hartley 6-0, 6-1 in the number three slot. Pitt said while the three players are almost interchangeable in terms of talent and compete hard against one another in practice, they are ultimately supportive of one another as close friends.
"They push each other for sure, and they're good friends, too," Pitt said. "When they're on the court, they go for blood. But they can turn around and go out to eat afterwards."
Madison-Grant's Christopher Fox plays in the No. 2 singles match.
Bob Hickey | For The Herald Bulletin
Frankton, now 5-5, won both doubles matches when the teams faced off last month in the Madison County tournament, a meeting won 3-2 by the Argylls.
In the semifinals of the county tournament, Gilman and the Argylls suffered his only loss of the season against Jacob Erwin of eventual champion Lapel. He and his teammates are hoping that loss serves as motivation as M-G closes in on its bigger goals.
"I've kind of used that loss as fuel to put it to whoever I'm playing," Gilman said.
M-G still needs wins over Elwood and Alexandria in the final weeks to clinch the outright title.
Both teams will be at home for their next matches as the Eagles host Lapel on Thursday while the Argylls will entertain Blackhawk Christian, Bluffton and Northwestern for Saturday's Madison-Grant Invitational.
Argylls Run Past Indians to Stay Unbeaten by Owen Hnatyshyn of the Chronicle-Tribune
The Madison-Grant (M-G) Argylls upset the Mississinewa Indians by a score of 27-6.
The Argylls’ win over the Indians is the first since 2012 and now puts the M-G at 3-0 for the first time since 2007.
A win like this does not happen by accident according to M-G head coach Brady Turner.
“We were focused, and I told the coaches before the game if we lose this game, it’s not cause we weren’t prepared,” Turner said. “They came in we were focused. They listened to the game plan and executed it almost to perfection, defensively.”
The Argylls were led by star senior running back and linebacker, Tanner Brooks. Brooks recorded 171 yards rushing on 27 attempts with a two-yard touchdown in the second quarter which put the Argylls up, 13-0.
Brooks has now rushed for 610 yards and five touchdowns in three games for M-G.
“I’m just going out there doing my thing for the team because I know they got my back and I got theirs,” Brooks said.
Junior Maverick Miller put the Argylls up early with a 37-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. He added another touchdown with a three-yard run to make it 27-0 in the fourth quarter. He finished with 66 yards.
Senior Kai Helvey scored on a eight-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter.
Madison-Grant ran for 334 yards overall.
The Indians didn’t crack the scoreboard until the end of the game with a 22-yard pass from Nolan Quaderer to Trevon Hess.
Quaderer completed 21 of 38 passes for 208 yards and also had an interception. Hess caught five passes for 57 yards. Deakon Dilts added six catches for 57 yards for Ole Miss.
The Indians were held to minus 11 yards rushing on 15 attempts.
“We just did not execute. Up front did not play physical, did not read our keys, did not run the ball well, and had too many dropped passes, too many bad throws,” said Mississinewa coach Kyle Buresh. “Really what could’ve gone wrong tonight went wrong for us.”
Mississinewa falls to 1-2 and will now prepare to face Oak Hill (3-0) in Gas City on Friday. Oak Hill will come in hot, fresh off a 35-0 victory over the Eastbrook Panthers.
“Discipline and physicality. Those are the biggest things that we have to be better at,” Buresh said. “It is just playing disciplined football and being able to be a lot more physical.”
Madison-Grant will travel to Blackford (0-3) on Friday and try to match the 4-0 start done by the 2007 team.
Greene Reaches Record in MG Volleyball Win at Tipton by Scott Hunt of the Chronicle-Tribune
The Madison-Grant volleyball team improved to 6-1 Thursday night in Tipton and got a record-setting performance from senior libero Daya Greene.
Greene picked up 22 digs to become M-G’s all-time career record holder, passing Lauren Stanely Lutton, who played for the Argylls from 2007–10. Greene, a two-time IHSVCA Class 2A all-state player, now has 1,256 career digs.
Greene also served up three aces in the Argylls 25-22, 16-25, 26-24, 25-20 win over the Blue Devils.
M-G’s other senior all-state player, Alexis Baney, had a huge night with 26 kills and 13 total blocks. Demi Havens added five kills while setter Maddy Moore dished out 36 assists and added eight digs, four kills, and two aces. Kami Dedecker also had three aces for M-G.
The Argylls open Central Indiana Conference play Tuesday at Eastbrook.
Madison-Grant Tennis Battles Past Ole Miss for Critical CIC Win by Scott Hunt of the Chronicle-Tribune
The Madison-Grant boys tennis team cleared a big hurdle in the chase for a CIC championship and also made a statement that it’s a clear threat to win the school’s first-ever tennis sectional title with a 5-0 win over Mississinewa Wednesday evening in Fairmount. M-G’s win certainly wasn’t easy, though.
Luke Gilman collected the No. 1 singles point by getting past Garrett Spencer, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3. Christopher Fox of M-G defeated Micah Lord 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. Clayton Hull needed three sets to get past Kannen Smith at No. 3. Smith won the first set 6-2, but Hull rebound to win 6-3, 7-5 to secure the point.
M-G’s two seniors, Soren Price and Davin Barton, also need three sets to win at No. 1 doubles over Michael Kissane and Nathan Hillsamer. The Argyll tandem won the first set 6-4, but Kissane and Hillsamer took set two by the same score. The third set required a tie-breaker before Price and Barton won 7-6 (7-5).
Ben Pax and Brogan Brunt topped the Indians’ Aiden Tignor and Sam Gonzalez 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2 doubles.
Madison-Grant (10-1) hosts Frankton on Wednesday. Mississinewa (2-7) goes to the Fort Wayne Carroll Invite on Saturday.
Madison-Grant senior Jon Pyle works on his computer project as he works toward earning certification in Photoshop through a grant the school has received to better prepare students for their post-secondary experiences.
John P. Cleary | For The Herald Bulletin
Madison-Grant received a $250,000 state grant to help students plan their post-graduation lives. We will use the money to realign the curriculum, expand existing programs, and help teachers pay for classes and testing required to receive the advanced certifications they need to teach specialized courses. Please read The Herald Bulletin article written by Rebecca R. Bibbs.