Since starting at Carolina, basketball has quickly become my favorite sport to watch and shoot. I shot a few games while I was still studying in Chapel Hill (yes, including Duke-Carolina!); however, coming into my internship at the Herald, I certainly could not say that I had a lot of experience with shooting sports. I had heard that high school basketball was a big deal in Dubois County, but I really had no idea what I was walking into. As I walked into my first game, I immediately felt the incredible energy wash over me. It seemed like everyone from town was there. Team pictures from the past few decades hang in rows on the walls next to dusty trophy cases. Fathers coach their sons or daughters on the team. Some of the fans you meet played on the team when they went to school there twenty or more years ago. As with many parts of Dubois County, basketball is clearly a highly regarded tradition.
Southridge's varsity boys basketball team huddled after the game in Huntingburg on Tuesday. Southridge defeated Washington 61-49.
The crowd and Southridge's Lady Raiders stood for the national anthem before the game Thursday. Southridge defeated South Spencer 51-20 at Memorial Gym in Huntingburg.
Southridge's Evan Julian listened to Varsity Coach Jeremy Rauch during halftime of the game in Huntingburg on Tuesday. Southridge defeated Washington 61-49.
Forest Park's varsity cheerleading squad stretched before the game against Mater Dei in the IHSAA Class 2A sectional tournament in Boonville on Friday. The Rangers lost 68-57.
Southridge senior Ethan Schwoeppe, bottom, Luke Stetter, junior, Drew Dearing, freshman, and Braden Harding, freshman, stacked on top of each other and cheered with the rest of the student section during halftime of their game against Washington in the IHSAA Class 3A sectional tournament in Huntingburg on Wednesday. The Raiders lost 41-35.
Morgan Uebelhor, left, watched as Shelby Olinger made a frustrated face at Tabbi Bolt while Payton Prechtel practiced before the game on Thursday in Lincoln City. Heritage Hills defeated Forest Park 68-59 in overtime. All are Forest Park varsity cheerleaders.
The Jeeps' Tyler Haas, left, Jacob Gress and Tristan Linne made a shooting motion from the bench just seconds before winning the IHSAA Class 1A sectional tournament against Tecumseh in Lynnville on Saturday. Northeast Dubois won 55-45.
Jasper's boys basketball team beat on the lockers and cheered after their game against Mitchell in the IHSAA Class 3A sectional tournament in Huntingburg on Tuesday. The Wildcats defeated the Bluejackets 66-50.
The Southridge Raiders hoisted their trophy up after winning the Class 3A girls basketball sectional championship at Alice Arena in Vincennes on Saturday. Southridge defeated Vincennes 46-41.
Southridge's Aubrey Main fought for the ball after Madison's Macky Hecox intercepted it during the IHSAA girls basketball regional championship in Jasper on Saturday. Madison defeated Southridge 66-51.
Southridge's Taylor Neukam, left, walked into the locker room with her team after the game Thursday. Southridge beat South Spencer 51-20 at Memorial Gym in Huntingburg.
Aubrey Main hugged Paxton Combs in the locker room after the IHSAA girls basketball regional championship in Jasper on Saturday. Madison defeated Southridge 66-51.