'Look how far we came': Bosse basketball has plenty to be proud of despite semistate loss
SEYMOUR, Ind. — While Saturday marked the end of the road for Bosse's run in the IHSAA boys basketball state tournament, it's not the moment that defines its players as people.
That's what coach Shane Burkhart told the Bulldogs when their Class 3A semistate semifinal game against Scottsburg concluded Saturday at Seymour High School. He also told his players he loved them. Despite the result, the Bulldogs played their hearts out and battled to the end.
Bosse lost 58-45, finishing two wins shy of another state finals berth. It was the program's first semistate appearance since 2018 and the third under Burkhart.
"We didn't really make balls today, which coincides with winning," Burkhart said. "But everything that they've done and everything they've represented is something that I can be very proud of and they can be very proud of. It's more about the pride that I have for those boys in the locker room and what they've done."
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The Bulldogs (15-11) still feel like they accomplished plenty this season.
They took down two tough teams in the postseason, including No. 6-ranked Memorial. This run was extra special to Bosse's senior class as they were the main catalysts in the hot streak they had ridden since January. Taray Howell was one of Southwestern Indiana's hottest shooters. Elijah Wagner, Chris Glover II and others made clutch play after clutch play to keep the momentum going.
"All my years at Bosse High School playing basketball, I felt like every year was a successful year," Wagner said. "We were sectional and regional champs. At the start of the year, we went 0-3, but look how far we came. We just had to lock in."
"I couldn't do it without my brothers," Howell added. "Everybody on the team is my brother. Everybody loves each other. I'm going to miss it all."
After the Bulldogs and Scottsburg (23-5) were tied at 24 at the half, the Warriors were stifling on defense. They went on a 19-8 run in the third quarter and limited the Bulldogs to just eight field goals in the entire half. Scottsburg also held Howell to only three points, all in the first quarter.
Wyatt Zellers led the Warriors with a game-high 20 points. AP Mitchell paced Bosse with 11.
"They were just stopping us from pushing the ball," Wagner said. "Usually, we're a running team and we like to get up and down the court. And they were just hitting shots and got back on defense. We couldn't push the tempo like we usually do."
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Burkhart had tears in his eyes when talking postgame. He is proud to be the coach of a brotherhood that has remained strong for many years. He pointed out many of his former players who traveled to Seymour to support the team and this special season.
"We have guys that believe in these kids, and that's what our seniors are going to end up doing," Burkhart said. "They're going to end up coming back and helping to continue to build the program and make (it) what it is."
After winning two sectional titles in three seasons, Bosse still has plenty to look forward to. But it will have a new look after graduating six players, including all five starters.
Those seniors are excited about the players who will step into elevated roles, such as juniors Tizhaun Tomlinson and Donte' Martin. Burkhart expects big things from others stepping up from junior varsity, too.
"They're going to step up big when they need to," Howell said. "Next year is their team. They're going to do what they've got to do on the team next year."
Courier & Press sports reporter Treasure Washington can be reached via her email, treasure.washington@courierpress.com, and on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Twashington490.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA boys basketball: Bosse falls in 3A sectional semifinals
