Sunday, December 15, 2024

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS

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Bears Beat Whiteland, Claim 5-0 Start

The Shelbyville High School pep band plays pre-game music before performing the national anthem last night. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

The shot of the night came from the free throw line. Not the usual one, either. From some 60-plus feet away and a half-second remaining in the first half, Shelbyville’s Mar Nicholson took the inbound pass from Gavin Reed and willed it in at the buzzer. It wasn’t exactly drawn up that way, or any way.

“(Nicholson) said he wanted to shoot it, so I said, ‘Alright,’” Reed, who made several key plays himself, said.

The Golden Bears needed those points in a 67-64 win over Whiteland (2-3) last night, reaching 5-0 on the season for the first time in 20 years. It’s a milestone for a team with just two seniors, Damon Badgley and Kenny Owens, but the Bears are aiming for more.

“We’re not satisfied,” Nicholson said. “We want to go undefeated as far as we can.”

Despite a 26-point night from Whiteland’s Ethan Edwards, the Bears remained anchored on beach theme night, and Brody Runnebohm made sure the senior stand-out worked for every attempt.

“Brody’s our number one defender right now on the ball,” Reed said. “He’s going to go out and stop their best player every night.”

The only time Runnebohm drew teasing exasperated sighs from the student section was when he opted to lay it in instead of dunking following a steal. Otherwise, the Bears’ hustle on both ends of the court was appreciated by the home crowd.

“We’ve been working on being greedy,” Nicholson said.

Reed agreed. “Coach (John Hartnett) has really stressed going to the glass at all times. Rebounds are a hustle stat that we want to win every game.”

A fast first quarter featured no time-outs or substitutions, with Caden Claxton scoring five of the Bears’ 14 points. But Whiteland held the ball for a final successful shot, narrowing the lead to three.

The second quarter included Reed scoring two of his 10 points on a gliding jumper from close range and an NBA-length three from Claxton. Whiteland once again held for the final shot, but the ball ended up out of bounds, and Reed went to Nicholson for “the shot”, giving Mar 13 for the quarter and 17 in the half, and the Bears with a 31-26 lead.

The teams traded buckets throughout the third quarter, including a sequence in which Reed lost control, somehow regained possession and hit a wild lay-up. Even three Whiteland fans behind the scorer’s table, the kind of guys who officiate from the stands, were impressed.

“Can’t stop that,” one conceded.

A few moments later, they thought they had found the elixir to beating Shelbyville.

“Make (Nicholson) go left!” they yelled repeatedly throughout a time-out. “He can’t go left!”

The next play, Nicholson drove to the left of the basket to tie the game. A couple of plays later, double-teamed, he went left again, giving the Bears a three-point lead. When asked later if he had heard the exchange, Nicholson just smiled.

It got scrappy for both teams in the fourth quarter, with Shelbyville on the losing end of consecutive tough foul calls. It seemed to bother the fans more than the players.

“You just go to the next play,” Nicholson said. “You can’t dwell on it. We got it back eventually.”

Reed said the team is experienced enough to stay calm in such situations. “We don’t get too worked up. We just finish the game.”

It took solid defense, including a block by Claxton that led to another Nicholson basket, and a chess match of switching defenders to stave off Whiteland. Cole Schene also had clutch rebounds and free throws.

With the Bears up three late in the game, Whiteland’s Edwards hit one of two free throws. The Warriors fouled Claxton, putting him at the line with 3.6 seconds left, where he also hit one of two. Whiteland threw it inbounds for a final attempt, but Badgley ended up with the ball, securing the victory.

Nicholson scored 31 and Claxton added 14, eight in the final quarter.

“We can’t take a step back,” Reed said. “If we can keep the momentum going, we’re looking at 6-0 on Tuesday (at Greenwood).”

BELOW: SHS cheerleaders Kira Wiedersatz and Ella Breedlove hand out prizes in the half-time “Pop-a-Shot” contest, a fundraiser for the Swim & Dive team.

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NOTEBOOK:

• Shelbyville High School recipients for the November Bears Best recognition were Sheylean Babilonia-Gonzalez, Anthony Stafford, Wyatt Armstrong, Lidia Santiago, Aubrey Chandler, Allison Angeles Sandoval, Chloe Hart, Madalyn Bolin, Dekatur Smith, Austin Boring, Harika Patel and Vianey Tello-Hernandez.

• Thank you to every donor for your continued support as The Addison Times forges ahead to fund 2025 and beyond. We will once again provide a quarterly publication with extra news and photos in 2025 as a gift for your support of $100 or more. This past year, we’ve covered city and county meetings, our students, local business, primary and general elections, commercial and residential development, and, of course, daily local history. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to The Addison Times, either online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history. I appreciate each of you. - Kristiaan Rawlings, Editor

• HOOSIER NEWS: South Bend officials expect the number of fans in town for the Dec. 20 college playoff game against Indiana University to result in all area hotels being booked. People are complaining about ticket prices on social media but officials said many fans are coming into town knowing they won’t get into the stadium. They just want to be here. (Indiana Public Media)

• Want the daily edition read to you? Struggling with your email provider filtering out your local news? The Addison Times Substack app will solve those challenges!

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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:

May 13, 2015

• Mrs. Jan Hearne would be retiring at the end of the year. “After years of following the rules, wearing classy sweaters, and dispersing little-known facts throughout the day, we will all have to say goodbye to the beloved Mrs. Hearne,” The Courier wrote. Mrs. Hearne had been an assistant basketball coach for SHS in the 1970s, then principal at St. Joe, and came back to SHS as a full-time teacher in 1999. Department Chair Vince Bradburn said Hearne would be tough to replace. “No one will ever live up to her high spirit, intelligence and style - she will truly be missed.”

• Assistant Athletic Director Natalie Fiorenza was leaving for a new job with the NCAA Division II Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

• Some students complained about bugs at SHS, including crickets right outside of Mr. Drake’s room. Mrs. Sowder said there were few problems in the library. “We had a big spider in the back room the other day, but we crushed it. Do you want proof?” she asked.

• The SHS band would be heading to Disney, a once-every-four years trip, in June. The group would visit EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Cocoa Beach, Blizzard beach Water Park. “Everybody is so pumped and ready to go,” junior Alex Alvarado, next year’s drum major, said.

• The Courier covered “hidden places” at SHS. There was a fair amount of scattered furniture in the school basement, including boxes of old encyclopedias and dusty typewriters. “Narnia” was a room next to Mr. Lux’s room. A single paper sign on the door said, “DOOR TO NARNIA.” Inside was a table and single chair. On the table were blueprints. The crow’s nest was located above the sound booth in the auditorium. Metal steps led up to the room. Two large windows led to the auditorium. There was a lot of old technology in the room. There were dressing rooms above the backstage area in the auditorium, also accessed by a metal staircase.

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This Day in Shelby County History

News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.

2014: Each Shelbyville public elementary school set aside space for a police officer through a new partnership. “Anything we can do to build positive relations with the kids as they grow up is just a total win-win for us,” Officer Jeremy O’Connor said.

2004: After years of wrangling and court suits, a solution was determined to straighten Evans St. where it met Jefferson Ave. Drivers had complained for years about the curvy intersection. Trying to see around the corner - especially when turning onto Jefferson from Evans - was difficult. In the 1990s, Omer and Janet Brewer had sued the city to get back a portion of Evans St. they said was rightfully theirs. They owned Brewer Design, located at the dangerous raodway. Part of the road that many believed was Evans St. was actually built through their property. A railroad once went through the area and had the right of way. A pathway led to Jefferson Ave. that consisted of railroad cinders and coals. Some vehicles used that pathway, but it didn’t become widely used until the city paved it in 1989. With increased use came safety hazards. In 2002, the Board of Works purchased a rundown house at 1332 Jefferson Ave. so the home could be demolished, leaving room for the intersection to the realigned. Mrs. Brewer said they would have preferred closing the road to realignment.

1994: Joseph Milli was appointed to be the first paid veterans service officer. He replaced John F. Lewis, who had volunteered in the position for two years. Milli, 64, was a Shelbyville resident and a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean War.

Citizens National purchased Union Federal Savings Bank’s branch office in Shelbyville. Gary Larrison, manager, said plans were to keep the bank branch open.

1984: Shelbyville police and the local prosecutor’s office objected to the renewal of a liquor license for the Big L Tavern on E. Michigan Road. Authorities were concerned there may be illegal gambling at the tavern, and that a card game was behind the recent stabbing of a local man in the tavern’s parking lot. In another incident, a man was struck on the head with a pool cue, requiring medical attention. A tavern employee had mopped up most of the blood and the cue stick had been hidden before officers arrived, Prosecutor James Lisher said.

Cordella Wagoner, who had been a crossing guard at Coulston Elementary for 30 years, received a surprise Christmas poinsettia from students while on duty. Mrs. Wagoner worked as crossing guard at Knightstown Road and Morris Avenue.

1974: Abner Hardin, membership director, announced plans for a Moose Lodge building to be constructed in Shelbyville. A committee was working to find an amenable location. One of the proposed locations was the building formerly owned by the local Elks Lodge on W. Broadway.

1964: Children at the PPG Christmas party, hosted at Paul Cross Gym, were delighted with the featured entertainer, a chimpanzee that bombarded them with a plastic cudgel and squirted them with a water pistol. The act also included three trained bears and a troupe of acrobatic dogs. Following the acts, each child received gifts.

John Young, head of the Monte Glove Co., donated brightly-colored reflective gloves to city staff and police officers. The orange-colored rubber gloves glowed in the dark.

1954: Wilbur M. Ray Jr., 37, purchased the Gaines Cigar Store, 231 S. Harrison St., from the estate of the late Ervin Gaines. The cigar store had been in operation here for over 30 years. Business offerings included pool, snooker, cigars, cigarettes, candy, soda fountain service, sandwiches and magazines. Hours were 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Ray was a World War II vet, serving four years, with more than two years in the European theater. He was a St. Joseph High School graduate and previously worked at the A & P store.

A record enrollment of 742 were set to attend classes at Shelbyville High School in the January term, more than 100 above enrollment in 1953.

1944: Pfc. Kenneth Drake, 22, of Marietta, was a German prisoner of war, the War Department announced. The government had previously listed Drake as missing in action.

Locals were reminded to keep mileage records, in compliance with rationing rules. The records were required when applying for supplemental gasoline rations.

Two Shelbyville brothers who had not seen each other in more than two years were reunited and would be able to spend Christmas together. Cpl. Gene Junken arrived home on a 15-day furlough and his brother, Sgt. Harold Junken, surprised the family by arriving home on a similar leave.

1934: Fire caused major damage to the Bullerdick grocery and department store in Morristown. The floor under the stove had collapsed, causing the fire. Walter Bullerdick, owner, discovered the fire when he arrived to open at 6 a.m. At that time, smoke was coming out of the doors and windows.

1924: Rev. H.H. Halley, of Chicago, known as “the Bible wonder,” started a series of meetings at City Hall. He reportedly had committed the entire Bible to memory. The ministerial association asked other organizations to not schedule meetings during Dr. Halley’s appearance times here. The event was funded by local churches.

1914: School were set to close at noon, Dec. 24, for Christmas vacation, and re-open Monday, Jan. 4.

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ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory

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OBITUARIES

Eula (Bailey) Purtlebaugh, 94, of Shelbyville, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus. She was born August 3, 1930, in Dillon, South Carolina, the daughter of James W. and Thelma (Blackman) Bailey. On January 16, 1973, she married John Wesley Purtlebaugh, and he preceded her in death on November 3, 2014. Eula is survived by her sisters, Elease Webster of Fairmount, North Carolina, and Lila Bufalini and husband, Warren, of Connecticut; her church family including Christina Burnett and her family; granddaughter, Jennifer Hatfield; and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to John, Eula was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Winston V. Bailey, Maxton Bailey, Elvin Bailey, Joseph A. Bailey and Samuel A. Bailey.

She was a member of the First Church of God for 40 years, and was very active in the church. She formerly served as a secretary and board member. Eula participated in the Women’s group. She was always willing to lend a hand with the children programs and any other event. She and John cared for the church lawn for many years. Eula formerly worked as a babysitter, in restaurants, as a sales clerk and cashier, prior to doing piece work at KCL for 42 years, retiring in 1996, at the age of 66 years. After retirement, Eula worked at Dollar General for 10 years, McDonald’s for 12 years, until she completely retired in 2021.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow, with Pastor Bryan Justice officiating.
Interment will be at Flat Rock Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of God, 1815 S. Miller St., Shelbyville, Indiana, 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Eula’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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Lois Ann Davids, 97, of Waldron, passed away December 13, 2024, at Major Hospital. Born November 20, 1927, in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Dorothy L. (Buckler) and Cecil A. Cockerham. She married Roy L. Davids at Ford Benning Georgia Main Post Chapel on August 11, 1950, and he preceded her in death on September 1, 2008.

She is survived by one daughter, Julee A. Davids; two grandchildren, Ashley N. (Dunagan) Kindred (Jonathan), of New Palestine, Indiana, and Abigail M. (Dunagan) Huber (Derrick), of Columbus, Indiana; and one great-grandchild, Ruger R. Kindred. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Edwin F. Cockerham, and sisters, Norma "Jeane" King LeClerc and Patricia Ayers Lumb. She is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.

Lois graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1946. She had a working career in government civil service, banking, investments, and real estate. She was Vice President of Investments and Private Banking at Farmer's National Bank and Shelby National Bank. She attended and graduated at the University of Indianapolis (Indiana Central) where she earned her degree in Finance and Banking in 1982, at the age of 55.

She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church in Shelbyville, where she served as choir member, deaconess and Sunday School teacher. She was also a member of Nahamah Chapter 73, Order of Eastern Star, National Board of Realtors, Zonta International, and National Association of Bank Women.

After retirement, she and Roy became snowbirds and enjoyed many winters in the Ft. Meyers, Florida area, where they enjoyed golfing, fishing, and visiting their many friends from Indiana. She also enjoyed traveling and lived in most of North America, the Far East, and Europe, as well as visiting many of the Caribbean Islands, Bermuda, and Hawaii. Mrs. Davids enjoyed painting. She left behind many watercolor and oil paintings for family and friends.

Funeral Services will be 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Rd. with Pastor Bruce Banister officiating. Burial will be in Norristown Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.

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Richard Wayne Miller, 72, lifelong Shelby County resident, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2024, at his home. He was born May 30, 1952, in Shelbyville, the son of Wayne Alvin Miller and Dorothy Lucile (Boilanger) Miller. Richard is survived by his daughters, Cherissia Miller and significant other, Charles Hawkins, of Fairland, and Crystal Jones of Franklin; sisters, Linda Perkinson and husband, Mike, of Boggstown, and Nancy Miller of Inman, South Carolina; brother, Howard Miller and wife, Lisa, of Boggstown; grandchildren, Crysta Marie Mason, Zoe Renee Jones and Nicholas Steven Allman; great-grandchildren, Liam Raphael Mason and Ember Celestine Fisher; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In 1970, Richard graduated from Triton Central High School. He attended agricultural courses at Purdue University. Richard farmed most of his life. He was also an entrepreneur and had a vending business and invested in real estate. He enjoyed racing stock cars and trucks. Richard was an avid NASCAR fan. He traveled all over the United States to attend races. Richard loved animals.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Triton Central FFA, in care of Triton Central High School, 4774 W 600 N, Fairland, Indiana 46126. Online condolences may be shared with Richard’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.