Sectional 16: Evansville Reitz 97, Evansville Harrison 77

Evansville Reitz went up against Evansville Harrison on Friday night in the sectional 16 semifinals. The teams met three weeks ago with Reitz winning 90-66. Harrison was looking to walk away with a different outcome this time around.

Harrison played well early in the game. The play of senior guard C.J. Hedgepeth led the way. Hedgepeth scored six points in the opening period and gave Harrison an advantage. Hedgepeth was fantastic all night for Harrison.

On the other end, it took Reitz a few minutes to get its offense clicking. Reitz is a team that averaged 80 points per game in the regular season. It is unusual for things not to be hitting on all cylinders. Part of the slow start was the fact that University of Evansville signee Dru Smith picked up two early fouls. After a short stint on the bench, Smith reentered the game and Reitz played much better from there forward.

Reitz controlled the game from the last couple minutes of the first quarter until the final buzzer. The Dunhams – Isaiah and Elijah – played off each other quite well. They combined for 19 points in the final three quarters of action. Elijah also had a handful of assists.

Hedgepeth tried to keep Harrison in the game. He was tremendous in the second quarter. He scored the first nine points of the period for Harrison. It wasn't enough as Reitz continued to pull away despite his high-level play.

Senior Jarod McHugh made Harrison pay for leaving him open in the second half. McHugh went 5-5 from beyond the three-point line in the second half. He scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half.

Harrison had its moments as it was only a 10 point game going to the fourth period. But Reitz was at a different level for most of the game. Dru Smith sealed the Reitz victory by scoring nine of his 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Reitz won going away 97-77. CJ Hedgepeth finished with 37 points in his final high school game.

Smith had 20, McHugh 19, Blake Ruckman 13 in the Reitz victory.