The Munster was up and down for Munster but they ended the regular season with two wins before running through a tough East Chicago Central sectional. It took a 51-point effort by Drew Hackett to get the Mustangs passed the favorite East Chicago Central in the final. Crown Point did not have a cakewalk season either. There was a stretch when the Bulldogs lost five of seven games. They got better in each game of the Merrillville sectional and had a six game winning streak entering Saturday's match-up.
There were some early jitters and the shooting was shaky to start. That changed quickly when junior Grant Gelon knocked down a couple long distance shots for Crown Point and Drew Hackett started to get going for Munster. Shooting was a key in the deciding the game, both from the field and the free-throw line.
Sophomore Sasha Stefanovic got loose for Crown Point in the second quarter. He scored seven points in the period including a four-point play. His seven points were all that Crown Point scored in the second quarter but Munster only tallied six. He was clutch down the stretch of the game for Crown Point as well.
It was Gelon's turn again in the third quarter. He went four of four in the quarter for 11 points. Crown Point went from being down four at halftime to being up three heading to the fourth quarter thanks to the shooting of Gelon.
Munster struggled to make shots all game. Drew Hackett creates most of the offense for Munster and despite his 19 points, it was tough throughout for him. He finished just 8 of 22 from field for his 19. Munster nearly overcame the poor shooting from the field because Crown Point struggled from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs missed multiple one and ones and then in the double bonus they missed both a time or two.
The game was one possession with just seconds remaining but Munster could not get a shot to fall. Then Stefanovic stepped up and started knocking down for Crown Point. THe Bulldogs did a good job of getting him the ball late as well. He went eight of ten from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. He finished with 18 points.
Crown Point won going away 58-50. The Bulldogs will face South Bend Riley in the 4A Regional Championship at Michigan CIty.