(Brroks Barnhizer via the NCAA Academy)

 

In a matchup of Tippecanoe County rivals, Lafayette Jeff turned up the pressure and dropped 49 points in the second half to take out the Raiders of Harrison. Northwestern signee Brooks Barnhizer led the Bronchos with a 28-point, 14-rebound, seven-assist performance.

 

It was Harrison who came out of the gates hot, as junior guard Jonah Lucas scored 10 first-quarter points to give his side an advantage after the first period. That lead would grow to as many as 11 points in the second quarter as the Raiders made five of their first three-point attempts, while Jeff could only muster one made three among their first 12 shots behind the arc.

 

The Bronchos would turn up the pressure and force several Harrison turnovers in the latter parts of the second quarter and would close to within three points at the halftime break. It was a quiet first half for Brooks Barnhizer, who mustered only eight points at the break.

 

His play, and the play of Lafayette Jeff, would turn at the start of the second half. Jahsiah Kirk-Williams, who made only nine three-pointers all season, nailed back to back three-pointers, one from each corner in a quick 8-0 burst. Their press and halfcourt trapping would again force several Harrison turnovers and rushed shots, leading the transition scores aplenty for Jeff, as they opened the half on a 16-2 run to swing the game's momentum.

 

Jeff would have a 13 point lead entering the fourth quarter, which would slowly grow to 17 entering the final minute. Some Harrison baskets late would make for a respectable seven-point defeat for the Raiders, who were led by 26 points from Jonah Lucas.

 

Lafayette Jeff advances to Saturday night's sectional championship game, where they will face fellow Lafayette school McCutcheon.

 

 

Harrison        14  19  15  22  -  72

Lafayette Jeff  12  18  31  18  -  79

 

Harrison: Jonah Lucas 26 points (10/15 FGs, 3/4 3Ps, 3/4 FTs), 2 rebs, 3 ast; Bryant Smith 18 points (6/15 FGs, 4/10 3Ps, 2/2 FTs), 3 rebs; Max Jacobsen 16 points (4/8 FGs, 2/3 3Ps, 6/6 FTs), 5 rebs, 2 ast; Ben Henderson 8 points (4/10 FGs), 4 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls; Jacob Walters 2 points (2/2 FTs), 2 rebs; Peyton Welch 2 points (1/2 FGs)

 

Lafayette Jeff: Brooks Barnhizer 28 points (7/19 FGs, 14/14 FTs), 14 rebs, 7 asts, 3 blks; Jahsiah Kirk-Williams 20 points (6/11 FGs, 2/3 3Ps, 6/6 FTs), 5 rebs; Ashton Beaver 14 points (6/9 FGs, 2/5 3Ps), 4 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls; Jacob Collicott 13 points (4/10 FGs, 2/5 3Ps, 3/5 FTs), 5 rebs, 2 stls; Brady Preston 2 points (1/3 FGs), 3 rebs; Jordan Green 2 points (1/1 FGs)

 

 

In the second semifinal, McCutcheon gradually pulled away for a 62-41 victory over Kokomo. The Mavs were led by senior forward Leyton McGovern-Gibbs with 22 points and nine rebounds.

 

Kokomo was close for the majority of the first half, as Shayne Spear hit a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter. It was enough to help Kokomo knot the score at 13, offsetting the eight first-quarter points from Leyton McGovern-Gibbs.

 

McCutcheon held Kokomo to just seven second-quarter points, as the Wildkats struggled all night to generate offense while playing without their two leading scorers, Jackson Richards and Bobby Wonnell. The Kats would close to within four early in the third period, but a quick 8-0 spurt fueled again by the play of Leyton McGovern-Gibbs would stretch the Mav advantage to 12, and it remained in double figures for the rest of the game.

 

Leyton McGovern-Gibbs led all players in points and rebounds with his 22 and nine line, and added four steals for good measure. He was joined in double figures for McCutcheon by wing Chase Isbell-Stahl, who had 14 points in the evening thanks to 3/5 shooting from behind the arc.

 

McCutcheon controlled the glass all evening, with guards Joe Phinisee and Brock Dimmitt each grabbing seven caroms, taking away any hope for second chance opportunities for Kokomo.

 

The Wildkats were led by senior guard Torian Smith, who scored 11, the only Kat in double figures. RJ Oglesby added eight points and five boards for Kokomo, who finishes their season with a 7-17 record.

 

McCutcheon moves to 17-3 on the season and will face Lafayette Jeff in Saturday's championship game. The Mavs claimed the regular-season meeting between the two teams by a 79-71 score.

 

 

McCutcheon  13  14  19  16  -  62

Kokomo      13   7  13   8  -  41

 

McCutcheon: Leyton McGovern 22 points (9/13 FGs, 4/5 FTs), 9 rebs, 2 asts, 4 stls; Chase Isbell-Stahl 14 points (4/6 FGs, 3/5 3Ps, 3/3 FTs), 4 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls; Brock Dimmitt 8 points (2/3 FGs, 1/1 3Ps, 3/4 FTs), 7 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls, 2 blks; Joe Phinisee 7 points (1/5 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 4/8 FTs), 7 rebs, 3 asts, 4 stls; Jahmarion Mallett 5 points (2/6 FGs, 1/3 3Ps), 5 rebs; Tim Swank 3 points (1/3 3Ps); Landon Waeltz 3 points (1/2 3Ps)

 

Kokomo: Torian Smith 11 points (4/14 FGs, 1/3 3Ps, 2/4 FTs), 3 rebs, 2 stls; RJ Oglesby 8 points (4/8 FGs), 5 rebs; Shayne Spear 6 points (2/5 3Ps), 3 rebs; Patrick Hardimon 5 points (2/7 FGs, 1/4 3Ps), 4 rebs; Dashaun Coleman 4 points (1/6 FGs, 2/4 FTs), 5 asts, 2 stls; Zavion Bellamy 4 points (1/3 FGs, 1/1 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 2 rebs; LJ Gaines 2 points (1/2 FGs); Trae Young 1 point (1/2 FTs)