Dec 29, 2025
Statement wins and late execution set the stage for Monday.
Day 2 of the First Financial Classic featured separation games, statement performances and a highly competitive nightcap that lived up to the tournament’s reputation. As brackets tightened, teams either responded with purpose or struggled to keep pace, setting the stage for Monday, Dec. 29.
Shakamak vs. Linton-Stockton: Day 2 opened on the consolation side of the bracket as Shakamak faced Linton-Stockton. Paul Oliver returned to the lineup for the Miners after missing Day 1 due to illness. After a fairly even first quarter, Linton-Stockton took control, opening up a 13-point halftime lead. Shakamak was unable to recover, as the Miners pulled away for a 77-62 win.
Casey-Westfield vs. Cloverdale: Cloverdale matched up with Casey-Westfield in the second consolation game of the morning. After a competitive opening quarter, the Clovers, led by Ishmael Kiteka and Evan Mann, built a 15-point halftime lead. Casey-Westfield struggled to respond in the second half, and Cloverdale secured an 18-point victory. The win sets up a matchup against coach Joey Hart’s former team, Linton-Stockton, on Monday.
Martinsville vs. Edgewood: The first winner’s bracket game of the day featured Martinsville against Edgewood. Martinsville’s identity was clear throughout, playing hard, defending with grit and operating as a cohesive unit. The backcourt of Carson Robertson and Grady Gardner led the Artesians to an 11-point win, punching their ticket to the final four.
Bloomfield vs. Terre Haute North: The marquee matchup of the day pitted Bloomfield against Terre Haute North. Bloomfield entered the Classic having played a challenging schedule, with Blake Neil leading the way. Terre Haute North took a different approach defensively, assigning senior Cam Fennell to handle the primary responsibility of guarding Neil. The Patriots stayed man-to-man and never allowed Neil to get comfortable. Holding a five-point halftime lead, North leaned on Blake Hammond’s strong offensive first half to stay in control. A momentum-shifting block by Tyler Renn and a pair of 3-pointers from Mason Lloyd stretched the lead to 13 after three quarters. Terre Haute North dominated the fourth, outscoring Bloomfield by 18 to secure a 31-point victory.
Greencastle vs. South Vermillion: Game 13 featured a consolation matchup between Greencastle and South Vermillion. For the second straight day, South Vermillion struggled to remain competitive. Trailing by six after the first quarter, the deficit ballooned to 20 by halftime. Greencastle cruised to a 41-point win behind Sam Gooch’s 14 points and Conner Sullivan’s 13. South Vermillion remains in search of its first win of the season.
Terre Haute South vs. Marshall: The tournament host Braves welcomed Marshall in the final consolation contest of the day. A change at point guard helped stabilize Terre Haute South’s offense early, as the Braves led 15-8 after the first quarter. Marshall made a push later, cutting the deficit to six on a 3-pointer by freshman Tommy Sheehy. An and-one layup by Tre Lewis quickly restored momentum, pushing the lead back to nine. Terre Haute South went on to win by 17 points.
Parke Heritage vs. West Vigo: Parke Heritage got off to a slow defensive start against West Vigo, appearing to go through the motions early despite building a nine-point halftime lead. The Wolves tightened up defensively in the second half and pulled away for a 22-point win. The result came just weeks after Parke Heritage defeated West Vigo by 35 prior to Thanksgiving.
Northview vs. Sullivan: The nightcap delivered the most competitive game of the day, as Sullivan’s Christian Bryan faced his former team, Northview. Bryan’s shot last year helped propel the Knights to the championship game and earned him all-tournament honors, adding intrigue to the matchup. Northview looked comfortable early, with crisp ball movement, chemistry and transition play evident from the opening tip. The Knights took an eight-point lead into halftime. Sullivan responded with a dominant third quarter, outscoring Northview 20-6 and flipping the game. Down six entering the fourth, Northview regrouped behind senior guard Brayden Goff. In a back-and-forth finish, the Knights executed late while Sullivan struggled to convert. Bryan cut the deficit to 53-51, but Northview closed the game at the free-throw line to secure a 64-55 win.