Hauser Coach Trent Moorhead (kneeling) shouts out instructions Friday against South Ripley at Hauser High School in Hope.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
HOPE — South Ripley played spoiler during Hauser’s Homecoming Friday night.
The Raiders built a double digit lead early in the second half, and the Jets couldn’t recover in a 61-47 loss.
“We were encouraged at times in the first half. The third quarter coming out at halftime we had a good plan,” Hauser coach Trent Moorhead said. “All the credit to South Ripley. They’ve got incredibly talented players. Unfortunately, we were unable to answer the bell.”
Friday’s game had a little extra motivation for Moorhead. He is an alum of South Ripley and his father, Rob is the superintendent of South Ripley Community School Corporation.
While the Jets (3-1) didn’t come away victorious Friday, there is the possibility they can meet the Raiders (3-1) again in the sectional. South Ripley will be the host.
“We’ve got to learn from it and be able to turn the page and move on,” Trent Moorhead said. “It’s one of the things we talked about in the locker room. Remember what this feels like, and hopefully we have a chance come March when we’re at their place to repay what we’re feeling right now.”
Hauser had trouble containing 6-foot-7 Cole Henry, who finished with a team-high 20 points, and Blaine Ward, who added 14 for the Raiders.
“You’ve got to give credit to the guys around those two as well for making plays tonight because they stepped up when they needed to,” Trent Moorhead said.
The Jets had the lead for much of the first quarter until South Ripley came back to take the lead with 2:20 left in the first quarter. Hauser tied the score on a couple of occasions in the second quarter, but the Raiders went on a 6-0 run to lead 28-22. The Jets got it to within 29-27, but a huge miscue on the inbounds pass following a South Ripley basket made it 33-27 at the half.
The Raiders put the game away early in the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run to lead 42-30. Hauser got it to within 42-34, but couldn’t get closer than that.
The Jets were led by Ledger Gelfius with a game-high 24 points. Gavin Keller and Taeshaun Tungate added seven apiece.
“We’re confident no matter who is on the floor. We’ve got a good enough product and a good enough ball club that we can compete with anybody. Unfortunately, we didn’t put our best foot forward at times tonight, and that’s why the score got away from us there in the second half,” Trent Moorhead said. “We’re still confident on anybody who steps on the floor in a Hauser uniform. We just didn’t do enough tonight.”
Hauser will look to bounce back tonight when they host Union County.
South Ripley 61, Hauser 47
South Ripley;16;17;13;15;—;61
Hauser;14;13;7;13;—;47
Hauser (3-1): Alex Cord 0 0-0 0, Taeshaun Tungate 3 1-2 7, Ledger Gelfius 7 6-8 24, Styker Gill 1 0-0 2, Collin Buck 1 0-0 2, Gavin Keller 3 1-3 7, Kameron Blair 2 1-2 5, Jake Barriger 0 0-0 0, Jentzen Bechtel 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 9-15 47.
3-point goals: Hauser 4 (Gelfius 4).
