(Kooper Jacobi's monster double-double led Silver Creek to its second 3A title)

 

A fierce comeback from Leo fell just short, as time ran out on the Lions and Silver Creek repeated as 3A state champions.

 

In a game marked by tough defense and physicality, the Dragons weathered being out rebounded by Leo and shooting just 34.6% from the field to hang on for their second state title in a row.

 

The tempo was fast during the opening eight minutes, as Silver Creek especially looked to run in transition for easy opportunities. Ayden Ruble of Leo took advantage by hitting a three then scoring a couple of buckets on physical post-ups against the smaller Silver Creek defenders. But Kooper Jacobi would notch seven of his own in the first, including a quick three in transition as the Dragons would lead by a pair after eight minutes.

 

The physical play continued in the second, but this time it was Leo taking advantage, going on a 9-0 run to take a five-point lead nearly the end of the half. It looked as though the Lions would be entering the locker room with a lead, but a rash of turnovers from the Lions gave Silver Creek a chance, and they would capitalize. A 6-0 spurt capped by a Jacobi layup off a turnover would give the defending state champs a one-point lead at the half and turn the momentum back in their favor.

 

The Dragons would start the second half as they ended the first, scoring seven of the first nine points in the third as their halfcourt trap gave Leo difficulties. After going 0/10 from the field in the first half, Leo leading scorer Blake Davison drained a pair of free throws to stem the bleeding for the Lions, and it would be a sign of things to come for the future Indiana Tech Warrior. Davison would score nine of Leo's 12 in the third, but Silver Creek would extend their advantage to six points entering the fourth quarter.

 

A three from Davison would keep Leo close, but when Branden Northern carved his way through the Lion defense for a layin, it gave Silver Creek their largest lead of the game at 10 points. Davison would score the first nine Lion points in the fourth to cut the deficit to four, but Silver Creek was able to milk the clock and get a Trey Kaufman-Renn runner in the lane to maintain breathing room.

 

The advantage was still six for Silver Creek with just over a minute and a half remaining, but Branden Northern would miss a front end, giving new life for the NE8 champs. DJ Allen would make his first three of the year after dribbling back behind the line to cut it to a three. After Kooper Jacobi missed a front end, Blake Davison would spin in the lane and score to make it a one-point game.

 

The Leo press would force a turnover, but Trey Kaufman-Renn would save the day by blocking a layin out of bounds. On the ensuing possession, Davison would lose control driving, and Branden Northern would gather the loose ball and race to the other end. He was fouled and split a pair at the line. The miss would fall in the hands of Trey Schoen, and he would make the first to make it a three-point lead. His second would fall off the rim, and Leo would race the ball down the floor to the hands of Blake Davison. Davison was double-teamed behind the arc and made a quick pass to DJ Allen, who laid the ball up with 5 seconds remaining. But without any timeouts, Leo was unable to stop the clock, and Silver Creek let the horn go off to signify a second consecutive state championship.

 

Kooper Jacobi led the Dragons with 18 points and 16 rebounds, while fellow senior Trey Kaufman-Renn notched a double-double of his own with 13 points and 10 boards. Blake Davison scored all 20 of his points after halftime, and DJ Allen added nine points. Zack Troyer grabbed a team-high 15 rebounds for Leo, who was making their first appearance in the state finals.

 

Silver Creek finishes the season with a 25-4 record, while Leo completes the year with a 24-5 mark.

 

 

Leo            9  12  12  16  -  49

Silver Creek  11  11  17  11  -  50

 

Leo: Blake Davison 20 points (6/23 FGs, 2/9 3Ps, 6/7 FTs), 4 rebs, 4 asts, 4 stls; DJ Allen 9 points (4/9 FGs, 1/1 3Ps), 7 rebs; Ayden Ruble 8 points (3/10 FGs, 1/4 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 3 rebs, 2 asts; Zack Troyer 6 points (3/10 FGs), 15 rebs; Xavier Middleton 3 points (1/5 FGs, 1/3 3Ps), 4 rebs; Eric Steger 3 points (1/2 FGs, 1/1 3Ps)

 

Silver Creek: Kooper Jacobi 18 points (7/18 FGs, 1/3 3Ps, 3/4 FTs), 16 rebs, 4 stls; Trey Kaufman-Renn 13 points (5/17 FGs, 3/4 FTs), 10 rebs, 4 blks; Isaac Hinton 7 points (2/5 3Ps, 1/4 FTs), 4 rebs; Branden Northern 6 points (2/6 FGs, 1/4 3Ps, 1/3 FTs), 4 rebs, 2 asts; Trey Schoen 6 points (2/5 FGs, 1/3 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 2 rebs, 3 stls