To explain the craziness of the Merrillville-Michigan City game, the Pirates outscored the Wolves 41-21 in the fourth quarter and lost. Every twist in the plot made the game more outrageous. From top to bottom, it was a wild game.

Four Michigan City players scored to push the Wolves ahead 9-0 before Dorian Harris connected on a three for Merrillville. Turnovers were a constant for both teams, but Michigan City shot much better than Merrillville early in the game. Michigan City plays a 2-3 zone defense that forced Merrillville into a bunch of outside shots.

In the second quarter, Michigan City’s shooting went to a new stratosphere as Dezmand Hawkins buried three after three. He knocked down six threes in the period. His exploits helped the Wolves extend their lead to 26 points.

After halftime, it looked like it would be more of the same. Merrillville turned it over on its first possession then freshman Jaime Hodges hit a three. On the next trip, Hawkins added two free throws. Michigan City had a 28-point lead.

Facing a huge hole, Dorian Harris started to chip away the deficit. He made a couple free throws then took a pass from Keon Thompson and made a triple. After a few empty possessions, Harris made another three then Austin Powell swished one for the Pirates. On the next trip, Dylan Coty scored to make it a 17-point game, and Merrillville had life.

At the end of the third, Michigan City regained its footing behind Warren Sails. He had a ridiculous finish on an alley oop in the first half then scored the last five points of the third for the Wolves.

Heading to the fourth, Michigan City led by 21 points, and it looked like the Wolves were going to coast to a victory. Keon Thompson was struggling from the field, and although Harris had gotten on track, Merrillville was still sputtering on offense.

Up 22 points after a Hawkins free throw, Michigan City took the circuitous route of mixing turnovers and fouling on each possession to try to close the game. Early in the fourth, Merrillville didn’t take advantage. The Pirates started the quarter one of four from the line.

Once Thompson reached the line multiple times, things started to click for Merrillville. He went four of four from the charity stripe over the course of three possessions. With under five minutes left, Harris connected on a three-pointer to make it a 16-point game. Thompson took his turn by scoring at the basket and drew a foul. After Michigan City missed a layup, Thompson took it to the other end and scored. It was suddenly an 11-point game with plenty of time left.

By this point, the bad decisions and fouls were an avalanche heading to take out Michigan City. The Wolves turned it over on three consecutive possessions which led to four three-point attempts from Harris; he made three of them. Harris scored 17 points in the fourth quarter.

After the barrage of threes, there were still over three minutes left in the game. Michigan City was a heavyweight fighter trying to make it through the final round, but the bell wouldn’t ring. Finally, Hawkins scored on a drive to get Michigan City off the ropes.

Thompson kept attacking for Merrillville. He’s a natural scorer and blocked out his shooting performance like a scorer does. It looked like his pure aggression could get Merrillville over the top. But Hodges made two free throws to put MC up five with two minutes left.

Harris came through with another three for Merrillville after Juwan Bandy hit one and Hodges converted two more free throws for Michigan City. Clinging to a one-point lead, sophomore Omarion Hatch knocked down two free throws.

With under minute left, Bandy missed a three, but Thompson was there for the offensive board. He was fouled while putting it back up. He made both then Hodges wasted no time to score for MC. Thompson tried to answer with a three, but it was off the mark. He grabbed his own board and was fouled again. He made both.

Michigan City had the ball up one point with 13 seconds left. The Wolves nearly turned it over, but a held ball took place giving it back to Michigan City. In-bounding the ball with five seconds left, the Wolves caught the ball then carried it into the back court for a turnover. By my unofficial count, it was the 24^th turnover for Michigan City of the game.

Under five seconds left and down one, Michigan City did a good job of taking Thompson away as an in-bounds option. The ball found Juwan Bandy who turned and attacked the basket. For some reason, Caron McKinney tried to reach around Bandy for a tip. McKinney was called for a foul.

Bandy had two free throws with Merrillville down one. He missed the first before Michigan City called a time out. After the break, he missed the second. McKinney was there for the rebound as time expired.

Michigan City won 83-82 in an absolutely wild game.

Dezmand Hawkins went six of seven from three for 26 points. Jaime Hodges had 25 points and four steals. Warren Sails and Evan Bush each had nine points for MC. Caron McKinney had six points and six rebounds. Omarion Hatch had seven points and five rebounds. Jose Jenkins grabbed six rebounds.

For Merrillville, Dorian Harris had 30 points on 8-13 from distance. He also had four steals. Keon Thompson finished with 27 points despite being 8-25 from the field. He also had nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Thompson scored 18 of his 27 points in the fourth. Juwan Bandy added 14. Austin Powell recorded eight points and five rebounds.