TSI 2028 Select Roll Through Louisville Spring Invitational

The TSI 9th grade boys Select team had another impressive weekend of hoops, this time at the MBT Louisville Spring Invitational in Louisville, KY. They dominated the competition, taking home the championship and continuing their undefeated season.

Saturday: Pool Play Dominance

The weekend kicked off with a bang on Saturday, as the Select team cruised through their pool games with ease, both on the Mid America center court. They started things off with a commanding 67-46 victory over Heat Check Elite. Eli Gilpin of South Ripley led the charge with a stellar 18 points, while Caiden Boswell of Scottsburg was a force on the boards, grabbing 8 rebounds. Floyd Central’s Ethan Noble took control of the game from the floor general position, dishing out 5 assists.

In their second game of the morning, the Select team faced off against a solid opponent, Culture Basketball Club from Lexington, KY. Once again, TSI flexed their muscles, winning handily 61-36. Gilpin was on fire again, leading the team with 17 points. Noble and Andrew Nussbaum of Southwestern both stepped up in the rebounding department with 4 each, while Gilpin also led the team with 4 assists.

Sunday: Thrilling Single Elimination Play

With their first-place finish in pool play, TSI earned a well-deserved bye into the single-elimination tournament on Sunday. Their first challenge came in the form of a rematch against Culture Basketball Club, and this time, it was a much tighter contest. Despite struggling with cold shooting from beyond the arc, hitting only 5 of 21 threes, TSI managed to win a nail-biter 51-47.

With just 1:32 left in the game and TSI trailing 47-45, Gilpin came through in the clutch. He finished off a tough backdoor pass from Noble and was fouled hard on the play. Gilpin hit the free throw to go up by one point and then added 3 out of 4 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. Gilpin finished with 20 points, while Noble contributed 16 points. Boswell and Noble each grabbed 6 rebounds, and Noble also led the team with 3 assists.

The Championship Game: A Statement Performance

In the championship game, the Select team faced the top-seeded KY Storm Elite from the B pool. And from the opening tip, it was clear that TSI was on a mission. The Select team couldn’t have started stronger, hitting their first 12 shots, including 6 of 6 from three-point range. The game was over before it even really started, as TSI stormed out to a jaw-dropping 28-0 lead.

The final score, 69-33, reflected just how dominant the Select team had been. They shot 12-22 from beyond the arc, a scorching 55%. Leading the charge was Ethan Larrimore of Salem, who poured in 15 points. Caiden Boswell continued his strong play, leading the team in rebounding with 6 boards, while Gilpin and Noble each dished out 6 assists to cap off a well-rounded team effort.

A Perfect Start to the Season

With this victory, the 9th grade boys Select team remains undefeated at 9-0, with two tournament championships already under their belts. They have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with. Next up, the team will face their toughest challenge yet at the Elite 40 Grassroots Showcase, held at the Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. This event, taking place the last weekend in April, is one of the largest grassroots basketball showcases in the nation and will surely provide a test for the talented Select squad.