(Dikembe Shaw pictured in July of 2024)

 

Crown Point used 15 points from Dikembe Shaw and 13 from Kingston Rhodes to defeat Homestead 41-29. The Bulldogs will face Fishers tonight at Elkhart North Side Gym to represent 4A North in the state finals at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse next week.

 

Homestead sprinted to a 7-2 lead to begin the game behind sophomore Mack Welker. The lanky forward scored five quick points to get the Spartans off to a strong start. Scoring slowed for both sides from there.

 

In the second quarter, foul trouble mounted for Crown Point as Shaw and classmate Mason Darrell picked up two fouls before halftime. With Shaw and Darrell limited, Kingston Rhodes stepped up for the Bulldogs. His late three-pointer gave Crown Point the 16-15 halftime lead.

 

Shaw took over the game out of the locker room. The junior scored ten points in the first four minutes of the second half. He combined driving to the basket and making outside shots. Shaw pulled up in transition to give Crown Point the 28-18 lead.

 

Rhodes stepped up again at the end of the third to bury a three, pushing Crown Point's lead back to ten heading to the final period.

 

Crown Point milked the clock in the fourth as Homestead played a zone defense.

 

The Spartans cut Crown Point's lead to eight with two minutes to play, but that is the closest Homestead came. 

 

Rhodes iced the game at the free-throw line by making all four attempts.

 

Shaw led Crown Point with 15 points on five of eight shooting from the field. He also tallied three steals, two rebounds, and two assists in the victory.

 

Rhodes ended with 13 points on three of five shooting from the three-point line. Bryce Peters added six points and four rebounds.

 

Welker scored 17 points on seven of 13 shooting. The sophomore also recorded eight rebounds and three steals.

 

Chris Johnson's squad finishes the year 22-6.

 

Fishers and Homestead will play at 7:00 PM Eastern tonight.