The visiting Batesville Bulldogs came into Versailles last night to go up against the previously 5-1 South Ripley Raiders. Both teams started out hot offensively but it was the Raiders who cooled off after the 1st quarter. The Bulldogs zone gave the Raiders trouble all night as South Ripley only hit 1shot behind the arc all game. Junior Bulldog Kade Kaiser was a mismatch problem all night for South Ripley driving inside for baskets and hitting over small defenders. In the end it was Batesville pulling out the minor upset, 52-42. South Ripley senior forward Ethan Johnson finished with 11 and Batesville senior Sam Johnson led the Bulldogs with 18 connecting on four 3s. Batesville looked like a different team than I saw 2 weeks ago lose to Southwestern Hanover. If Coach Garret can get the Bulldogs to continue improving look for them to be a contender in a competitive Greensburg sectional. The host Raiders do host their sectional but this game gave me pause whether they should be heavily favored on their home floor come March with Hauser and Switzerland County also in the mix.
● 6’5 Batesville junior Cade Kaiser is one of the better players in Southeastern Indiana you may not have heard about. At 6’5 he can shoot over smaller defenders and is quick enough to blow by taller guys. Kaiser finished with 13 but distributed at will and continuously beat his man off the dribble. When aggressive Kaiser.is tough to stop.
● 6’7 junior Cole Henry led the Raiders with a game high 21 pts but left numerous points on the board. Henry had to be close to double figures in rebounding going to get alot of his own misses for putbacks. Henry will thrive at the next level being 6’7, long, and athletic. He is a natural 3 but plays on the interior for South Ripley. He has shown the ability to hit from the perimeter with consistency and his length will allow him to defend players at the next level. Once he puts some real strength on him amd realize how good he can be, he will be one of Southern Indiana’s best players.
South Ripley is back in action against the host Southridge in their holiday tourney on Dec. 29 and Batesville will host their own holiday tournament on Dec. 28 against Columbus North.
