Hornets Celebrate Senior Night
The NCHS Boys Basketball and Cheerleader seniors were honored between the JV and Varsity games this past Friday night. Pictured: Jaris Dalman, son of Jim and Julia Dalman; Royce Newman, son of Dale and Kim Newman; Riley Edwards, son of Alan and Deb Edwards; Brady Bultman, son of Jeremy and Sherre Bultman; Ryan Kell, son of Doug and Kim Kell; Katie Dalaviras, daughter of Jim and Christin Dalaviras, and Alexis Engelman, daugher of Cory and Melissa Engelman.
By Brent Huelsmann
On a night when the Hornets celebrated the senior class, Nashville looked to lock up a share of the SIRR Conference Championship. The Hornets overcame a rough night from the field to beat DuQuoin 47-32 to become co-champions along with Pinckneyville. The Hornets have had more success than any other team since the SIRR was founded in 1994. In the 23 seasons since the SIRR was founded, the Hornets have won at least a share of the conference title 15 times.
The Hornets took control of the game early, as Ryan Brink hit three, three point buckets in the first quarter, to help the Hornets get out to an 18-5 lead at the end of the first. In the second, the Hornets couldn't get anything going offensively, and DuQuoin was able to cut into the Nashville lead. Althought the Hornets were outscored in the second quarter, they still held a 10 point lead at half.
Coming out of half, the Hornets were able to rebuild their lead up to 14 points going into the final quarter, behind seven points from Royce Newman. In the fourth, the Hornets sank clutch free throws to preserve the win, and grab a share of the conference title for the fourth consecutive year.
After the game senior Brady Bultman talked about what it was like to play his final game in Assembly Hall “its great playing here, its been a great four years, playing here. I had a lot of fun, a lot of great games here. This last game here, I know we kinda had a rough game but we came out on top, good win for us.”
Coach Weathers talked about what it meant to win conference, “ that was definitely one of our goals this year, and we talked about it almost daily, about getting our year up there on the conference banner. We've been a big part of the conference championship since its inception. And every team, every year wants to add to that”
Coach Weathers went on to talk about the five seniors, “these five seniors have been part of the program for the last four, and they've all had different roles, some of them bigger than others in terms of the public, but really they've all had major roles. Whether they were a scout team player that helped us tremendously in practice, or whether they had a big part on the floor, we've had everything inbetween.”
Brady Bultman led all scorers with 15 points in the game. Brink added 13 points off the bench for the Hornets, followed by Royce Newman with seven points. Hayden Heggemeier and Brogan Kemp each scored five points, and Jaris Dalman added two points to round out the scoring.
The Hornets now begin regional play as they take on Hillsboro on Wednesday night at Greenville High School. The game will begin at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are general admission and can be purchased at Greenville High School the night of the game. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m.
TOP: Senior Brady Bultman goes up for a layup in the second half of the Hornets conference clinching win over the DuQuoin Indians. LEFT: Junior Hayden Heggemeier looks for a place to go with the ball in the Hornets 47-32 win over DuQuoin. Nashville will now begin postseason play, as they take on Hillsboro Wednesday night.
about what it meant to win conference, “ that was definitely one of our goals this year, and we talked about it almost daily, about getting our year up there on the conference banner. We've been a big part of the conference championship since its inception. And every team, every year wants to add to that”
Coach Weathers went on to talk about the five seniors, “these five seniors have been part of the program for the last four, and they've all had different roles, some of them bigger than others in terms of the public, but really they've all had major roles. Whether they were a scout team player that helped us tremendously in practice, or whether they had a big part on the floor, we've had everything inbetween.”
Brady Bultman led all scorers with 15 points in the game. Brink added 13 points off the bench for the Hornets, followed by Royce Newman with seven points. Hayden Heggemeier and Brogan Kemp each scored five points, and Jaris Dalman added two points to round out the scoring.
The Hornets now begin regional play as they take on Hillsboro on Wednesday night at Greenville High School. The game will begin at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are general admission and can be purchased at Greenville High School the night of the game. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m.
Senior Jaris Dalman looks for a passing lane in the Hornets 47-32 win over the DuQuoin Indians on February 19. The Hornets celebrated Senior Night as well as the end of the 40th season at Assembly Hall.
