Nine first-quarter three-pointers was a sign of things to come between Penn and Northridge in the Michigan City Regional championship game. The offenses clicked at a highly efficient level from start to finish, and it was a great finish.

It didn’t take any time for the teams to settle into the game as Beau Ludwick opened the game with a three-pointer. Northridge’s Sam Vogt answered with a bucket, and both teams started to trade threes. The crowd was amazed by the shooting of both teams.

After Penn took a 24-21 lead to the second quarter, the pace slowed a bit, but the shooting did not. Ludwick continued his big game. He’s known as a shooter, but Ludwick scored off the dribble against Northridge. Noah Applegate was a steady force from beginning to end for Penn. He scored 13 in the first half. Northridge used a balanced attack led by Carter Stoltzfus to keep stride with the Kingsmen.

To begin the second half, Penn established Applegate on the block. He scored on the first possession then made three of four free throws on the two ensuing possessions. It was the start of a dominant half for Applegate as Penn turned to him for big basket after big basket.

As Penn turned to Applegate, Jackson Erekson stepped up for Northridge. He scored eight points in the third quarter as the Raiders took a 54-53 lead to the fourth quarter. He was big for Northridge in the second half.

Applegate and Ludwick led the Penn offense for the first three periods, but Drew Lutz asserted himself in the fourth quarter. He drew a couple of fouls early in the fourth and converted four free throws. Lutz then feed Applegate for a finish plus the foul. Applegate and Lutz scored all 21 fourth-quarter points for Penn.

Like the entire game, the fourth quarter was back and forth. For the game, there were 12 ties and nine lead changes. The largest lead was Penn’s six-point advantage in the third quarter. It looked like Penn had a chance to open the game after two free throws from Lutz pushed the Kingsmen ahead 65-60. Erekson answered with a deep three-pointer to keep Northridge In the game.

After a Penn turnover, Alex Stauffer tied up the game at 65. Stauffer stepped up late for Northridge. He scored seven of his 14 in the final quarter. His biggest shot came with Northridge down three. Stauffer set a pick and popped to the three-point line. After letting a defender fly by, Stauffer made the three to tie the game with 17.3 seconds left.

With the game tied, Lutz took the ball the length of the court, set up his defender, and drove to the basket. He avoided a help-side defender to score in the lane. It put Penn up two, and Northridge called for time with 5.4 left.

Down two and the length of the court to go, Northridge inbounded to Erekson on the move. He pushed the ball up the right side but couldn’t get space for a shot. He passed to Sam Vogt who launched a deep three at the buzzer. It was off the mark.

Penn won 74-72 behind Noah Applegate’s 31 points and eight rebounds. Drew Lutz added 19 points and six assists. Beau Ludwick had 18.

Jackson Erekson led Northridge with 18 points. Stauffer had 14 points and eight rebounds. Carter Stoltzfus had 13, and Sam Vogt added 12.

Penn faces Carmel at Lafayette Jeff next Saturday in the 4A semi-state.