Dixon shows improved shot-making in win over Plainfield Central

DIXON – Improving its shot-making has been a point of emphasis for the Dixon boys basketball team so far this season.

The fruits of their labor showed in Friday afternoon’s win over Plainfield Central.

Darius Harrington and Eli Davidson each hit their first four shots as the Dukes jumped out to a big lead early and won 60-34 at Lancaster Gym. It was the fourth straight win for the Dukes (11-3) as they followed up their consolation championship at the Effingham tournament.

“We haven’t shot the ball well at all to start this year, and that’s a lot of our team, shooting the ball,” Davidson said. “We’ve been getting in the gym during practice, after practice as a team, getting the shooting machine out, things like that.

“Over time, those shots add up and you have nights like you did today.”

Davidson was 3 of 3 from deep, and Harrington had two more 3-pointers as Dixon led 24-7 after the first quarter. The Dukes' defense took it from there as they led 36-11 at halftime en route to the win.

Harrington finished with 24 points, and Davidson had 15.

With Harrington drawing so much attention, Davidson knows he will get his shots.

“[Harrington] has 10 eyeballs on him at all times, which makes it easy for shooting, for back cuts, for screens, for everything,” Davidson said. “Having him on the team, it changes the way you can play basketball because of the impact that he has just by being on the court.”

Dixon led 50-17 after three quarters as a running clock went into effect down the stretch.

Brady Feit and Cullen Shaner each scored six points, and Brody Nicklaus had five for Dixon.

Without a lot of size to rely on for an inside game, hitting jump shots is key for the Dukes.

“As the year has went on, especially from the Effingham tournament, we’ve been shooting the ball way better than to start the year,” Harrington said. “It’s the time and hours that some of us have put into it.”

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Dixon’s Eli Davidson puts up a shot against Plainfield Central Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at Dixon High School. (Alex T. Paschal)

Harrington said Davidson has stepped up in recent games. Friday was no different.

“He’s been hitting [shots], which I knew he would,” Harrington said. “It was just a matter of time and I’m just happy for him.”

Defensively, Dixon guarded well as the Wildcats (1-13) had only six field goals through three quarters. Zion Finch scored eight points in the fourth quarter to lead PCHS with 13 points, and Alexis Landfair finished with 10.

“We shot the ball extremely well, and I think that kind of set the tone for the night,” Dixon coach Chris Harmann said. “I was happy with how we played on both ends of the floor. I thought defensively, we did a lot of things to keep them out of rhythm as well.”

Offensively, it still simply comes down to making shots.

“We’re not the biggest team in the state, there’s no shying away from that,” Harmann said. “Darius is good, and Eli, Cullen, Brody, anybody. If we’ve got guys that consistently make some shots, it just makes us that much better.”

Harmann said the team continued improve for the most part throughout the Effingham tournament as different players continued to gain experience.

“I’m glad to see it carry in to 2025.”