(Braden Smith pictured in the spring of 2021)

 

In a match-up of two top teams in the Indiana Basketball Source rankings, 3A No. 1 Mishawaka Marian traveled to 4A No. 6 Westfield on Saturday evening. 

 

Westfield guard Cam Haffner and Marian guard Richard Brooks traded early threes, and the game was off to a quick start. Marian used a 1-3-1 zone defense against Westfield, but the Shamrocks moved the ball exceptionally well. Westfield found open looks throughout but did not get a high percentage to fall. The Shamrocks finished the game 7-27 (26%) from three-point range.

 

Purdue signee Braden Smith is a significant reason why Westfield passes so well. He sliced up the Marian zone with his passes. In addition, the Mr. Basketball candidate showcased his vision and rebounding early on. 

 

Early in the second period, Marian point guard Deaglan Sullivan found Brooks for another three. In a low-possession game, Brooks scored 12 first-half points for the Knights. 

 

Zion Rhoades gave Marian a first-half boost with rebounding and scoring around the bucket. He tallied six points and six rebounds in the opening half to keep Marian within striking distance.

 

After being tied at halftime, Alex Romack scored the first basket of the second half for Westfield. Marian answered with seven straight points to grab the 27-22 lead. However, Westfield rallied behind Smith, Haffner, and Romack scores.

 

The common theme of the night for Westfield was exquisite passing. Smith recorded eight assists, Haffner had six, and Westfield assisted on 18 of 22 field goals. That put extreme pressure on Marian's defense all night.

 

Smith took a pass from Haffner and knocked down a three to give Westfield a 34-30 lead late in the third quarter. The Purdue-bound guard played better as the game developed. Smith opened the fourth with an alley-oop dunk thrown by Haffner. On the following possession, Smith found Haffner for an easy layup. Suddenly, Westfield held a ten-point lead.

 

The Shamrocks worked the ball and made timely shots to keep Marian at bay the rest of the way.

 

Westfield won 53-39.

 

Haffner led the Shamrocks with 17 points. He also had six assists. Smith nearly recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and no turnovers. Romack and Kai Butterworth each scored six points. Trey Buchanan added five.

 

Brooks finished with 12 points and seven rebounds in the loss. Rhoades added 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Kaleo Kakalia tallied seven points and nine rebounds. Sullivan, Marian's leading scorer, only scored five points. 

 

Westfield is 3-2, and Marian drops to 7-1.