In a matchup of two top five teams in 4A, as well as the two odds on favorites for Mr. Basketball, the Homestead Spartans used a final rally to overtake Carmel to win their second consecutive regional title.
The game started off a bit slow as both teams looked to feel the other out. Carmel had a couple of early turnovers, leading to opportunities for Homestead. Tahj Curry in particular was aggressive in attacking the paint, but struggled to finish in traffic.
Carmel used the long ball effectively in the first with seniors Keegan Culp and Ryan Cline each hitting from behind the arc. They did not have an answer inside for Caleb Swanigan as the 6'8 forward repeatedly backed down defenders for buckets.
Cline struggled to find his shooting touch in the second quarter as Jordan Geist was in his hip pocket anywhere he went on the floor. Homestead would extend their lead to 17-10 before Carmel went on a quick 6-2 run to end the half.
Homestead switched Jordan Geist off of Cline in the third quarter, and the Purdue signee made the Spartans pay for that decision. Cline was able to drive by his defender, converting at the rim and then hitting a pair of threes in the period.
Carmel, however, could not solve the Homestead frontline, as Dana Batt was able to sneak onto the offensive glass and score twice on putbacks. Caleb Swanigan also scored twice on the block, as they accounted for eight of the Spartans ten points in the quarter. Cline would have ten by himself, and give Carmel a three point advantage heading into the fourth.
Carmel extended its lead to six with five and a half minutes remaining on a Ryan Cline three point play, putting the Greyhounds up 37-31. Homestead decided to pick up the pressure defense, running a second defender at Cline whenever he had the ball to force someone else to beat them.
The lead dwindled as no one for Carmel was able to convert once the ball left Cline's hands. Homestead answered by playing through Swanigan, and the plan worked to perfection when the forward was doubled on the left block, leaving Jordan Geist alone at the top of the key. Swanigan hit him out of the double team, and Geist returned the favor by hitting the Spartans' only 3-pointer of the game to give Homestead a lead they would not relinquish.
The Greyhounds could not score, and Swanigan scored on a spin move inside to give Homestead a four point lead with under 30 seconds left. The Geryhounds couldn't respond, as Homestead closed the game on a 10-0 over the last five plus minutes to win their second consecutive regional title.
In a matchup of two top five teams in 4A, as well as the two odds on favorites for Mr. Basketball, the Homestead Spartans used a final rally to overtake Carmel to win their second consecutive regional title.