(Richard Brooks from the summer of 2021)

In the 3A north semistate matchup, Marian used a huge game from Richard Brooks to extend their lead, then turned to Deaglan Sullivan to close it out as the Knights won their first ever semistate crown.

Leo got off to a quick start thanks to their youth, as sophomore Jackson McGee, the only non-senior starter for the Lions, hit back to back threes to give Leo a 6-0 lead. Marian would settle in, however, as they were able to steal a couple of post entry passes and claim the lead. That lead would go back and forth between the two teams as McGee would hit his third triple of the opening period. The balance of Marian would allow them to have a two point lead entering the second.

On the first possession of the second, Caedmon Bontrager would swat a Richard Brooks shot at the rim, then catch a lob from Xavier Middleton and throw down a powerful two handed dunk to tie the game. The game would turn following that play, as it was the only field goal for Leo in the quarter. Marian would rattle off an 11-0 run spanning much of the second period.

The Knights would drive and kick to open three point shooters, as Richard Brooks and Jackson Price would nail threes in the run. A Xavier Middleton free throw would be the only point for Leo for the last stretch of the second, as Marian would enter halftime with a 13 point advantage.

Marian would come out on fire in the third, as Deaglan Sullivan began to take control of the game off the dribble. His three point play and a pair of Richard Brooks threes would see Marian jump out to a 41-20 lead. Caedmon Bontrager would keep Leo from being blown out, as he controlled the offensive glass and finished everything in the lane. A 5-0 spurt in the final second of the third saw Leo climb back to within a dozen and give the Lions hope entering the fourth.

The Marian lead would fluctuate in the fourth, but it never dipped below double figures as Marian would begin to figure out Leo's desperation press and begin to get layups off of attacking it.

Bontrager would contiue to score inside, but it was for not, as Marian wound up with an 11 point victory.

Brooks and Sullivan combined for 53 of Marian's 74 points, including a 17/19 performance from the two at the line.

Caedmon Bontrager would go for 26 points and 10 boards in his final high school game, and Jackson McGee would join him in double figure sfor Leo with 13, but only four coming in the final three quarters.

Mishawaka Marian improves to 24-3 on the year and will face Beech Grove in the 3A state championship game. Leo finishes their season at 21-6.


Mishawaka Marian  15  14  21  24  -  74
Leo               13   3  22  25  -  63

Mishawaka Marian: Richard Brooks 29 points (8/14 FGs, 6/8 3Ps, 7/8 FTs), 3 rebs; Deaglan Sullivan 24 points (7/10 FGs, 10/11 FTs), 2 rebs, 3 asts; Kaleo Kakalia 6 points (3/8 FGs), 4 rebs, 2 asts; Jackson Price 6 points (1/4 3Ps, 3/3 FTs), 3 rebs, 2 stls;; Dar'e'on Thornton 5 points (2/5 FGs, 1/3 3Ps), 4 rebs, 3 asts; Zion Rhoades 4 points (2/3 FGs), 4 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls

Leo: Caedmon Bontrager 26 points (8/10 FGs, 1/3 3Ps, 9/14 FTs), 10 rebs, 2 blks; Jackson McGee 13 points (4/11 FGs, 3/8 3Ps, 2/2 FTs), 5 rebs; Xavier Middleton 8 points (2/7 FGs, 1/5 3Ps, 3/4 FTs), 5 rebs, 2 asts; Trey Hiteshew 8 points (3/8 FGs, 2/4 3Ps), 4 rebs, 3 asts; Brody Hiteshew 4 points (4/4 FTs), Ayden Ruble 2 points (1/3 FGs), 3 rebs, 4 asts; DJ Allen 2 points (1/2 FGs), 3 rebs
Carroll: Jake Skinner 15 points (7/17 FGs, 1/3 3Ps), 2 rebs, 2 asts; Chris Huerta 11 points (5/13 FGs, 1/5 3Ps), 2 rebs; Owen DUff 10 points (3/10 FGs, 4/7 FTs), 7 rebs, 4 asts, 5 stls; Will Eldridge 7 points (3/5 FGs, 1/2 FTs), 4 rebs, 3 stls; Austin Kuhns 5 points (2/3 FGs, 1/2 3Ps), 4 rebs