Thursday, March 6, 2025
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Bears’ Season Ends in Sectional Opener
The Shelbyville High School Pep Band plays host at last night’s sectional action in Garrett Gymnasium. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Shelbyville’s (18-7) gritty season came to an end last night at the hands of Roncalli (15-8), in a sectional opening 69-54 loss. The Royals (down to “ROYAL” after the shirtless student with the “S” painted on his chest was ejected) controlled the game from the tip, getting an open lay-up on the first possession. Despite Mar Nicholson’s insanely hot hand, finishing with 29 points, the Bears struggled to keep up with Roncalli’s use of 6’8” Joe Taylor down low and Noah Schmaltz and Will Hegwood to spread the floor.
Strong fan bases for both sides contributed to a chippy game. After some initial back-and-forth between players, Shelbyville was called for a technical. The referee said the player was taunting by saying, “What are you going to do about it?” to a Roncalli player.
As the Bears left the floor at the end of the first quarter down 14-10, a bench coach reminded them, “It’s not going to be easy.”
It didn’t get any easier in the second, as the Royals hit three three-pointers. Nicholson continued to score from various spots on the floor, ending the half with 16 of the Bears’ 23 points. The half also included a coast-to-coast finish from Gavin Reed, who rebounded off a Roncalli missed three and drove inside to narrow the lead to 11. But by halftime, Roncalli led, 37-23.
The Bears continued to play high intensity defense throughout the second half, despite not getting shots to fall. A Nicholson laser-like pass to Schene down low for a contested bucket, a three from Reed and three more Nicholson baskets, including a hook shot plus two free throws, were highlights of the quarter, but the Bears trailed heading into the fourth, 52-38.
Shelbyville didn’t give up in the final quarter, with Nicholson getting a steal and passing to Caden Claxton, who was fouled and hit both free throws. Senior Kenny Owens got a key steal, but with Claxton fouling out with just under 6 minutes remaining, the Bears ran out of time to make a run. The final play was a three-pointer from Nicholson. Brody Runnebohm added 12 points to the total.
Owens and Damon Badgley were the team’s two seniors. They both played significant minutes and checked out only when the outcome was determined. Head coach John Hartnett Jr. and assistant coach John Hartnett gave them both hugs and words of encouragement as they left the Garrett Gymnasium floor for the final time.
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NOTEBOOK:
The 71st annual SCUFFY drive is underway following yesterday’s official kick-off breakfast. Pacesetter organizations - Shelbyville Middle School, Bowen Engineering, McNeely Law LLP, Yushiro Manufacturing America, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Brazeway and Major Health Partners - raised over $277,000 toward the $925,000 drive goal. Marijo Snow (photo below), the drive chair, shared how SCUFFY agencies came to her family’s aid following a fire that destroyed their house in 2014. “What I want you all to take from this today is that SCUFFY means so much to every one of us here,” she said. This year’s drive theme is “Your Gift Makes the Grade.” SCUFFY supports 12 member agencies: Arc of Shelby County, Boy Scouts, Shelby County Boys and Girls Clubs, Cancer Association of Shelby County, Project Clothes for Kids, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, Head Start, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army, Shelby Senior Services and Turning Point.
The Addison Times reported yesterday that Walmart had pulled a building permit for an expansion. The retail company will be expanding the southern corner (far left side of the building, when facing) and perform interior remodeling, city officials said. Most of the improvements are aimed at facilitating a better dedicated area for pick-up orders, similar to Kroger’s pick-up updates a few years ago. The company will also make minor aesthetic improvements to the store and exterior signage updates.
HOOSIER NEWS: The Indianapolis International Airport is expecting a “tremendously busy spring break and summer” this year in large part because of Florida travel, officials said. By mid-February, passengers had booked more than a thousand March flights from Indianapolis to the Sunshine State, according to numbers requested by IndyStar. By mid-February, passengers had booked upwards of 177,000 scheduled seats on 1,043 flights to Florida at Indianapolis International Airport in March, representing a third of all total departures. (IndyStar)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Mixue Ice Cream and Tea has eclipsed McDonald’s, Starbucks and Subway to become the largest food and beverage chain in the world, finishing the year with 45,282 locations, an increase from 7,100 in 2019 and double the level of three years ago. It’s looking to IPO and raise $510 million in the process and debuted in Hong Kong this week. It’s selling ice cream and drinks at the price of 6 yuan, or about 83 cents, which has made for explosive growth in China where the economy has many hunting down inexpensive treats. (Wall Street Journal/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Nov. 9, 1926
SHS teachers Sara Sisson and George Small had resigned shortly after the year began to teach at the college level. Sisson took a position teaching English and French at Butler, and Small was head of the music department at Hanover College.
Teachers had attended a masquerade party at the Charles Major building on Oct. 28. “Most of them were not afraid to risk their dignity, and consequently appeared ridiculously clad clowns, witches, old-fashioned girls, dancers, etc.” Mr. Cochran and Miss Frederick won prizes. A group of teachers put on a “moving picture show” play, with Mr. Gifford as villain, Mr. Harris the hero and Miss VanDorin the heroine.
The average weight of players on SHS’s varsity basketball team was 140 pounds.
The SHS Camels defeated the Greenburg Strohlers, 33-29, in the season opener. “The fightin’ five of Greensburg H.S. came to Cameltown, Friday night, tree and all, and left minus a few branches.”
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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.
2005: Karlene English, McKay Manor resident, celebrated her 105th birthday with a party at her residence.
1995: Shelbyville High School advanced to the regional with a sectional championship win over Beech Grove, 78-67. It was Coach John Heaton’s 10th sectional victory. Chad Adkins erupted for 40 points. Collin Hassebroek scored 18.
1985: Standard Register Company honored Rod Brown, Jerry Kirby and Rick Ballard for top quality work over the previous year.
1975: The annual Lincoln Day Dinner of the Shelby County Republican Party drew a near-capacity crowd of 400 to the Eagles Lodge. Gov. Otis Bowen said that, following big Democrat wins statewide and nationwide in 1974, Republicans should show an openness to diversity of opinions. He cited a 1974 report that only 18 percent of Americans were willing to say they were Republicans. Independents made up 38 percent of the voting population. Bowen said many people thought the party was more interested “in profit and loss statements, the gross national product, and other inanimate cold things than they are in people and their problems.”
1965: Shelbyville Mayor Ralph VanNatta was listed in the 1965 edition of “Outstanding Young Men of America.”
The first set of kettle drums for the Triton Central band were purchased. Bill Stoops was the drummer.
1955: Production resumed at Spiegel Furniture Factory, 837 Webster St., one of the oldest manufacturing concerns in the city. William Spiegal and Edwin Pearson owned the newly organized firm. They had acquired the interest of Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey Jones and Edwin Koch.
1945: Emma Smith, 77, a former teacher at the local junior high school, died after fracturing her hip at her home in Moral Township. She had taught school for 33 years.
1935: City Council formalized an agreement to turn city street lights back on after two years of eliminating the service to reduce the budget. The new contract called for lower intensity lighting to help control costs.
Federally-funded workers put down gravel on the city cemetery walk-ways. Stop lights at the corner of Harrison and Broadway, which had been set at an angle to both streets, were straightened by the workers as well.
1925: Residents on several streets complained to City Council about the upcoming street oiling. “If the property owners are against the oiling of the street, oil will not be forced on them, it was stated today by one of the city officials. Where the property owners want oil, they will get it.”
1915: Three local children who had been getting their food from garbage cans were ordered by Judge Alonzo Blair to become residents of the Orphans’ Home. The children’s mother was “seriously sick” and the father “worked at times” and was “not able to furnish food and fuel for the home,” court documents said. In a related action, the judge ordered an adult child of the family, who had been in jail, to be released so she could take care of her mother.
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OBITUARIES
Michael E. Elliott, 74, of Shelbyville, passed away on March 4, 2025, at home surrounded by his family after a long battle with cancer. He was born December 24, 1950, in Shelbyville to Richard Elliott and Mildred (Clark) Elliott. On April 17, 1971, he married Peggy “Margaret” (Meredith) Elliott, and she survives. Other survivors include his son Greg (Kasey) Elliott of Shelbyville; siblings Steve (Cozetta) Elliott of Greenwood, Rick (Pat) Crisman of Shelbyville, Larry (Penny) Hensley of Homer, Tim (Terri) Hensley of Shelbyville, Richard (Leasa) Elliott of Shelbyville, David (Joyce) Elliott of Greenwood, and Angie (Bruce) Schwering of St. Paul. He has three grandchildren, Amara Elliott, Owen Elliott, and Galaxie Hayton, all of whom he loved dearly. He considered two neighboring children, Leana and Kristin Nolt, as his great-grandchildren. He had longtime friends he was especially close to, including Bobby and Louise James, Bob and Gail Leake, Al Phelps, and his fishing buddy, Dave Arbuckle. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, step-mother Linda (Hensley) Elliott, and his brother Donnie Hensley of Greenwood.
Mike attended Shelbyville High School and was a lifetime resident of Shelbyville. He worked at Knauf Fiberglass for 14 years and also at KCL until its closure. He retired from Compass in Franklin in 2012.
Mike enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing with his dogs, hunting and fishing, playing softball, and especially working in his garden and his many flower gardens. Towards the end of his battle, Leana and Kristin would visit and sing songs to him. He would always reward them with suckers!
Funeral services will be at noon on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Rev. Dr. Kregg Burris officiating. Friends may call on Monday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Lewis Creek Baptist Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Shelby County Cancer Association, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Paul Philip “Phil” Kaster, 86, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Shelbyville. He was born December 3, 1938, in Shelby County, the son of Paul Gray and Mary Elizabeth (Epperson) Kaster. On June 27, 1958, he married his wife of 66 years, Freda Fleener, and she survives. In addition to Freda, Phil is survived by his daughters, Danette Kaster, and Paula Kaster and husband, Mark Polston, of Shelbyville; son, Craig Kaster of Sheridan; sister, Janet Compton of Flat Rock; grandchildren, Jonathan Hoop and significant other, Maggie, Jared Hoop and significant other, Danielle, Benjamin Purvis and wife, Tiera, Abraham Purvis and wife, Alison, Caitlyn Sherrill and husband, Brian, Levi Kaster and Luke Kaster; great-grandchildren, Zeno Hoop, Lydia Purvis, Roman Purvis, Cameron Purvis and Parker Sherrill. Phil was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Mark Kaster.
In 1956, Phil graduated from Shelbyville High School. He was a devoted member of Hope’s Point Church, where he had served as deacon and trustee. Phil was the Chaplain of Gideons International, and was affectionately known as “The Bible Man.”
Phil served as President of Kasco, a company he and his father, founded and co-owned since July of 1965. He also served his community as a Shelby County Councilman, and a member of the Shelby County Board of Health and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Phil was a member and past president of Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association. He enjoyed going to Ferguson Tractor shows. He loved to travel, including spending time at the Outer Banks climbing lighthouses and eating seafood. Phil and Freda enjoyed visiting all 50 states and going to several countries. One of Phil’s greatest joys was engaging in conversations with others, whether at a farm equipment trade show, or in everyday life. He always said, “Everyone has a story.” And he wanted to hear it.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Hope’s Point Church, 1703 South Miller Avenue, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will begin at 2 pm, Saturday, at the church, with Pastor Greg Albert officiating.
Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Fund at Hope’s Point Church, 1703 South Miller Avenue, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or Gideon International Shelbyville Camp, Box 452, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Phil’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.