Churubusco led wire to wire, but rarely comfortably, as they defeated conference rival Central Noble Saturday night to claim the Sectional 35 crown at Westview. (Pictured: Connor Essegian)

It was Busco who looked to set the tone early, as they attacked the rim relentlessly, both off the dribble and on the offensive glass when shots went up. The result was early free throws and fouls on Central Noble’s star players. It also looked to confuse the Cougars, as Busco began the game in a triangle and two defense, face guarding Connor Essegian and Sawyer Yoder and daring the other Cougars to make plays.

 

The strategy worked early on, as Landen Jordan patrolled the paint, securing rebounds on both ends and making life difficult around the rim for Central Noble. Sawyer Yoder, who picked up two early fouls, was relegated to the bench for periods of time during the first half, which allowed Churubusco to switch to a box and one and focus their attention on Connor Essegian.

 

Essegian would pick up his second foul with just over two minutes left in the first half and his Central Noble squad trailing by two. Busco would be able to extend their lead and close the half on an 8-1 run capped by a Noah Wolfe three to head to the locker room up by nine points.

 

The Cougars would score the first four points of the third quarter, prompting a Busco timeout. The Eagles triangle and two defense would continue to flummox Central Noble, taking away any clean looks from the perimeter for Connor Essegian and limiting driving lanes for Sawyer Yoder. A big swing occurred late in the third when Landen Jordan rejected a Logan Gard shot at the rim. The shot appeared to have hit the backboard first before Jordan got his hand to it, but no official blew their whistle. Jordan grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball up the floor, where Busco quickly drained a three pointer. It took a potential five point lead and pushed it back out to ten late in the third.

 

Central Noble gathered themselves for a final run in the fourth. Essegian would work himself free through excellent cutting and finish a couple of tough shots at the rim, and the Cougars would cut the deficit to as little as two. Noah Wolfe had a three from the corner, but Landen Jordan rose above the crowd to grab the offensive rebound, his 6th offensive rebound of the night and 14th overall, and kick it out to Luke McClure. McClure’s final three pointer was pure, and it gave Busco a five point lead with just under two and a half minutes left.

 

A Myles Smith four point play and an Essegian three would bring Central Noble back to within two with a minute left. Following free throws, Central Noble would have a final chance to tie, but his three pointer with seven seconds left would be off the mark, and a pair of Jackson Paul free throws would provide the final margin.

 

Churubusco advances to the North Judson Regional where they will face Blackhawk Christian. Central Noble finishes the year at 22-5.

 

 

Churubusco     15  13    9  17  -  54

Central Noble    9  10  12  18  -  49

 

Churubusco: Jackson Paul 16 points (3/8 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 9/10 FTs), 4 rebs; Luke McClure 13 points (5/5 FGs, 3/3 3Ps), 3 asts; Landen Jordan 11 points (4/9 FGs, 3/4 FTs), 14 rebs, 3 blks; Noah Wolfe 8 points (3/7 FGs, 2/5 3Ps); Hunter Perlich 6 points (1/6 FGs, 4/6 FTs)

 

Central Noble: Connor Essegian 19 points (6/18 FGs, 2/9 3Ps, 5/6 FTs), 3 rebs; Sawyer Yoder 12 points (3/5 FGs, 6/6 FTs), 8 rebs, 4 asts; Myles Smith 7 points (2/5 3Ps, 1/1 FTs); Ryan Schroeder 6 points (3/4 FGs), 3 rebs, 4 asts; Logan Gard 5 points (2/9 FGs, 1/1 FTs), 4 rebs