4A Regional: Southport

Category: 2016-2017 High School
Written by Jeff Schoenle

Connersville and Ben Davis will face each other with a spot to Semi-State on the line tonight at Southport.

 

Connersville used a fourth quarter comeback and 22 points from senior wing Grant Smith to outlast Brownsburg in overtime in the first regional semifinal at Southport. Brownsburg withstood an early first quarter surge from Connersville to outscore the Spartans 10-4 in the second period, good for a two-point halftime advantage. The Bulldogs opened a seven-point lead in the third before a 6-0 run from Connersville brought them closer. Brownsburg led by eight with just over three minutes left before a Garrett Silcott three cut the deficit to five.

 

Connersville extended their defense and began to force Brownsburg into turnovers, cutting the margin to a single point. But the Bulldogs would play keep away, running over 45 seconds off the clock before Landon Hall was fouled with just under 18 seconds left. The senior split his pair at the line. Grant Smith drove and was fouled with eight seconds left, and hit both free throws to tie the game. Smith then blocked a Cameron Alford attempt and grabbed the rebound, but his half court shot hit the side of the rim, sending the game to overtime.



The Spartans scored the first four points of overtime, and never trailed in the extra period as they advanced to the regional championship game.

 




In the second regional semifinal matchup, Ben Davis overcame a slew of early turnovers to defeat North Central and make it to Saturday night's title game. North Central led by four after a quarter and started the second quarter on a 9-2 run, but a Datrion Harper three from the right wing just before the halftime buzzer gave the Giants momentum heading into the locker room. Mark James' squad continued that momentum in the third, as six quick points from Datrion Harper and a big transition dunk from Josh Brewer brought Ben Davis to within two.



A Josh Brewer three would momentarily give Ben Davis the lead, but that would last just a few seconds as Mateo Rivera would hit a three-pointer of his own on North Central's next possession. A fastbreak layup from Datrion Harper would give Ben Davis a three-point lead, which was cut to two after Kris Wilkes split a pair of free throws. On the subsequent possession, Ben Davis would force up a shot, but senior wing RJ Turner would manage to get his hand on the ball and tap it into the hoop for a four-point lead. A pair of Josh Brewer free throws would extend their lead to six, rendering Emmanuel Little's desperation three meaningless as Ben Davis moved on to face Connersville in the regional championship.

 



North Central 16 9 11 8 - 44
Ben Davis 12 5 17 13 - 47

North Central: Mateo Rivera 11 points (4/11 FGs, 2/9 3Ps); Emmanuel Little 11 points (3/8 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 4/5 FTs), 6 rebs; Kris Wilkes 10 points (4/10 FGs, 1/3 3Ps, 1/4 FTs), 6 rebs; DJ Johnson 5 points (2/8 FGs, 1/6 3Ps); Davon Bradley 3 points; Donald Lee 2 points; Ty'Riek Johnson 2 points

Ben Davis: Datrion Harper 16 points (7/10 FGs, 2/3 3Ps); Aaron Henry 15 points (7/12 FGs, 1/1 3Ps), 6 rebs; 4 asts; Josh Brewer 9 points (3/10 FGs, 1/4 3Ps, 2/2 FTs), 8 rebs; RJ Turner 4 points; Jalen Newsom 3 points (1/3 3Ps)

 


Brownsburg 8 10 13 14 5 - 49
Connersville 12 4 13 15 11 - 55

Brownsburg: Cameron Alford 17 points (6/20 FGs, 0/7 3Ps, 5/6 FTs); Landon Hall 12 points (4/16 FGs, 1/7 3Ps, 3/4 FTs), 10 rebs; Reis Thomas 10 points (4/8 FGs, 2/4 FTs); Kris Jackson 6; Malek Edmonds 2

Connersville: Grant Smith 22 points (6/12 FGs, 1/5 3Ps, 9/11 FTs), 9 rebs, 4 asts, 2 blks; Dalton Huffman 13 points (3/4 FGs, 7/10 FTs); Garrett Silcott 12 points (3/6 FGs, 5/8 FTs), 4 asts; Noah Belt 6 points (3/5 FGs); Hunter Sullenbarger 2 points