Springs Valley Community High School

The Springs Valley boys’ basketball team hosted Austin on Saturday, beating the Eagles 101-98. The Blackhawks and the Eagles went back and forth throughout most of the game. The ‘Hawks won the first half by only four points, 49-45. The ‘Hawks were ahead by two at the start of the fourth quarter then, with seconds left, they needed Deion Edwards to force overtime. The junior made a free throw to tie the game at the end of regulation. Edwards put up a historic total of 56 points, breaking Larry Bird's record for points scored in a game. Edwards broke Bird's record by one point. Edwards also had 14 rebounds, an incredible 11 offensive rebounds included, four assists, and three steals. He needed only two 3-pointers to reach 56 points, doing most of his work either inside the arc or at the free-throw line. Edwards knocked down an impressive 16 of his 18 free-throw attempts and went 17-for-26 on two-point shots. Bird's record had stood for 49 years prior to Edwards' outburst against Austin. The legend's record was six days away from reaching its 50th anniversary as on Jan. 19, 1974, Bird scored 55 points in a 99-71 win over Corydon Central. Edwards and Bird now each have two of the four highest-scoring games in Springs Valley history. A month after scoring 55 in 1974, Bird dropped in 54 points in a 94-46 win over Salem. Back on Dec. 2, 2023, Edwards poured in 47 points as the Blackhawks beat Washington Catholic 87-23. Edwards also eclipsed 900 career points against Austin, now sitting at 918. He's in line to become the seventh Blackhawk boy to join the 1000-point club alongside Larry Bird, Eddie Bird, Steve Land, Marvin Pruett, Eddie Bolin, and Marcus Hudleson. Edwards would be the 12th Blackhawk overall as Jewel McCormick, Erin Stackhouse, Darcie Warner, Leslie Land, and Jessica Qualkenbush each scored more than 1,000 points for the girls' program. Senior Konner Chase was the second-highest scorer for the ‘Hawks against Austin with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Mavrick Land had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. James Walls had three points and two assists. Evan Brown had three points and one rebound. Jaheim Hamilton had two points and three rebounds Keyton Jones had two points, two rebounds and seven assists. Larron Childers had six rebounds and one assist. The win was the seventh in a row for Springs Valley (10-4, PLAC 3-2). The ‘Hawks with travel to Paoli to take on the rival Rams on Friday, Jan.19.