Local Sports Headlines: August 16, 2021

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Indiana Cutters Season End with Playoff Loss to Indiana Tornados

The 2021 Indiana Cutters Semi Pro Football Season has come to a close with 30-0 loss to the Indiana Tornados in the Battle Ground Football League South Division Semifinals at Beech Grove High School Saturday Night. The Cutters struggled all night with two fumbles, two interceptions, a sack on fourth down and going for it on fourth down and being unsuccessful on two other occasions along with several injuries.  The Cutters defense got two forced two tornados’ fumbles recovered by Terry Ramsey and Jason Tuckson and blocked field goal. The Tornados led 24-0 at halftime and the game was marred by 22 penalties with a Cutters assistant coach and player being ejected in the 3rd quarter. The Tornados will host the Kentuckiana Calvary in South Division Championship Game while the Fort Wayne Wolverines will host the Lake County Warriors in the North Division Championship Game next Saturday with those winners meeting in the championship game Saturday August 28th.

Indiana Men’s Basketball Sweeps Serbian Team in the Bahamas

Indiana Men’s Basketball beat BC Mega 64-53 Sunday afternoon to sweep the two game exhibition series against the Serbian team at the Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau the Bahamas.  The Hoosiers won 79-66 on Friday Night.  The Hoosiers were led by Pittsburgh transfer Xavier Johnson with 13 points, Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 11 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Race Thompson scored 10 points and added 11 rebounds. The Hoosiers outrebounded BC Mega 47-41 and forced 12 turnovers while committing just 5.  2022 NBA Draft prospect Nikola Jovic scored 8 points and pulled down 7 rebounds in 17 minutes of action. In Friday’s game Trayce Jackson Davis scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Northwestern Transfer Miller Kopp showed his range going 3-4 from downtown scored 14 points and added 5 rebounds. Jordan Gernomio pulled down 10 rebounds. Freshman Tamar Bates scored 14 points off the bench as the Hoosiers outscored BC Mega 29-17 off the bench. The Hoosiers forced 27 turnovers while committing 12. The Hoosiers won the rebounding battle 39-38, points in the paint 36-26 and second chance points 18-6 despite the Serbians having the much bigger team. Indiana held 2022 NBA Draft prospect Nikola Jovic to 1 point on 0-1 shooting which came from beyond the arc in 23 minutes of playing time and he committed 5 turnovers.  Jovic pulled down 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.  Bloomington South Grad Anthony Leal, South Florida Transfer Michael Durr and Freshman Logan Duncomb did not play in either game.

Former IU Running Back Sampson James Transfers to Purdue

It did not take long for former Indiana University running back Sampson James to find a new home. James announced that he is enrolling at Purdue University. James should have 2 years of eligibility   remaining with all athletes getting an extra year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, its possible James could have three years left with the Boilermakers. James rushed for 118 yards in Indiana’s overtime win over Purdue in 2019. James rushed for 371 yards in two seasons for the Hoosiers. It is unclear if he will be able to play this season because he entered the transfer portal well after the July 1st deadline to be able to play right away.  James joins former Hoosier teammate Demarjhe Lewis who will play for Purdue this season.

Indiana Football adds Ole Miss Grad Transfer Johnathan Haynes

Indiana Football has added Ole Miss graduate transfer Johnathan Haynes to the 2021 roster. Haynes is a defensive back from Benoit, Mississippi and graduated from the Ray Brooks School. Haynes started his career at Jones College in Ellisville Mississippi had 74 tackles, 4 interceptions and returned a blocked field goal 80 yards for touchdown.  At Ole Miss, Haynes played 21 games and started 17, He compiled 86 total tackles 49 of those solo with 1 tackle for loss, two interceptions and three pass breakups for the Rebels. Haynes who will have one year of eligibility remaining joins teammate Ryder Anderson who transferred from Ole Miss to the Hoosiers in the spring.