MANSFIELD — Shelby’s four seniors helped the program maintain its standard on the hardwood for a third straight season.
Saturday’s Division IV boys district final between the Whippets (16-8) and Perkins marked Shelby’s third straight district championship appearence — a school record. The Whippets fell in the district title game last year to Elida, 52-40. Two seasons ago, Shelby lost by three points to Maysville in a Div. II state semifinal.
Perkins (23-2) ultimately bested the Whippets on Saturday, 61-40.
Shelby coach Greg Gallaway spoke highly of the program’s four seniors — Brayden DeVito, Landon Foltz, Avery Lambert and Gavin Miller — following the loss.
“They put so much into our program,” Gallaway said. “Landon (Foltz) came here last year from Ontario and bought into everything we’ve asked. Brayden (DeVito) has been a four-year player for us. He was a starter on the Final Four team.
“I’m just proud of all those guys,” he said.
DeVito and Foltz led the charge for Shelby on Saturday, combining for 36 of the Whippets’ 40 points. DeVito scored 25, including a trio of three-pointers. Foltz tallied 11 and also grabbed eight rebounds.
Junior Michael Shepherd was the only other Whippet to make a field goal. Miller and junior Kayden Paz each knocked down a free throw.
“(DeVito and Foltz) have been our two main guys this year and we just didn’t have that other scoring threat today like we hoped to have,” Gallaway said. “What they (Perkins) do defensively can really put some pressure on you on offense.”
The Pirates built an early lead and never looked back. Up by three after the first quarter, Perkins tripled its advantage by halftime, 23-14. Despite periodic pushes from Shelby to narrow the gap, the Pirates took a 12-point lead after three and grew it to 21 by the time the buzzer sounded.
Below are photos from Saturday’s district final between Shelby and Perkins. Credit: Hayden Gray
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Quick start to season
Following a state championship appearence this past football season, Shelby got a late start on the hardwood.
With multiple athletes competing in both sports, the Whippets needed rest. Their first game didn’t come until Dec. 19 — a nine-point win over Clear Fork.
“I’m proud of our season — having the late start that we did with football and just being able to persevere through it all,” Gallaway said. “Our guys were resilient.”
Despite the late start, Shelby never made excuses. The Whippets wanted to reach the regional tournament again, Gallaway said.
But this year’s group of seniors are still leaving behind something valuable — their examples of leadership and determination.
“That is the mark the seniors are going to leave. They made the program better than when they found it and hopefully that translates to the younger guys, to the middle school guys, and our youth,” Gallaway said.
“They showed what it takes to play at a high level through the workouts they put in and how to treat others and do it the right way,” he said.