IHSAA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

The boys basketball team defeated Hammond to capture the regional crown.

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The Boys after winning Regional Champion Title since 1993

Sammie Jurkovic, Reporter

On Saturday March 13th, the Saint Joe Boys Varity Basketball Team competed in two games for the Regional Championship. First they took to the hardwood against Twin Lakes Saturday morning with the score of 84-54. Senior, Jr Konieczny led the Indians with 28 points, and broke the record of the highest Saint Joe scorer of 700 points in a season, and the record of highest leading scorer in all of Saint Joseph County. Senior Will Terry chipped in 15 points, Junior Cole Hatkevich with 13, and Senior Jack Futa with 10 points.

After the victory over Twin Lakes, the boys prepared for their next game against Hammond who was ranked #1 in 3A for Boys Basketball. The Indians started off with the underdog mindset, and fell behind 15-20 points. The Indians had their whole season on the line, especially seniors with this being some of the boys last time playing. A turn of events happened when Junior Cole Hatkevich went up for the three, and drained it. The boys found energy and strength to keep scoring and eventually grabbed the lead. They score went back and forth before it was tied up at the end of the game at 63-63. The boys took charge in overtime and finished as Regional Champions. Senior Jr Jonieczny lead the team to victory with 24 points, followed by Will Terry with 21, Jack Futa with 17, and Cole Hatkevich with 11. This is Saint Joe’s first Regional championship title in boys’ basketball since 1993.

The Indians play Leo for Semi-State on Saturday March 20th at Elkhart’s Northside Gymnasium at 4:00pm. Make sure to come out this weekend to cheer on our boys on their Road To State!