EVANSVILLE — There is something different about this Castle boys basketball team.
The feeling possibly manifested itself in early February. Or maybe it was two weeks ago, following a 24-point loss on its home floor. Or maybe it was Friday night with the return of a senior captain. One thing is abundantly clear.
This is no team to overlook anymore.
Castle advanced to the Class 4A sectional championship with a stunning 50-43 overtime win over North on Friday, March 6. Not only were the Huskies overwhelming favorites this week – the Knights operated in a different conversation. John Harrell, the preeminent record keeper in Indiana, only gave them a 2.9% chance to win the title.
“It took everything that we had to beat a tremendous basketball team,” Castle coach Brian Gibson said. “Just adversity after adversity dumped on these kids. We’ll play zero games this year without all of our varsity guys. You learn a lot about your teammates and who is going to step up.”
Castle (8-16) didn’t score during the opening five minutes. It trailed by 12 in the third quarter. The Knights were still the tougher, more physical team over the full contest. The difference was in the return of Connor Richards.
The senior had knee surgery immediately following football season and, following a three-month rehab, Richards received word that he could potentially return. First game back was the sectional semifinal. The 6-foot-3 forward had 10 points and seven rebounds with a level toughness that was missing all season.
“Our guys, for two weeks, had a belief they were going to win tonight,” Gibson said. “I believe he’s the reason for that. The kids follow his lead.”
The biggest sign this is a different team? North beat Castle by 24 just two weeks ago. The Huskies (18-5) hit a staggering 16 3-pointers that night. In the sectional, that number was slashed to five. North still had a two-possession lead in the fourth quarter before Carter Bobe made consecutive baskets to tie the game.
Castle scored the first nine points of overtime. Cam Rutledge led four players in double figures with 14, including two giant free throws in the final minute of regulation. Everything added up to one of the bigger upsets in Indiana.
“I wanted to be back for this team,” Richards said. “To go out there and do that in senior year is something special. It took physicality. It took two weeks of great practice. Coach put in a great game plan. All around, it was a team effort.”
Greg Pieterek led the Huskies with 15 points. Bryson Chapman added 13 points and nine rebounds.
Can Harrison win a third straight sectional championship?
Raise your hand if you saw the Warriors entering the 4A final as the favorite back in November. Anybody?
Harrison advanced with a 48-39 win over Reitz in the second semifinal. Few teams around Evansville have improved leaps and bounds in a matter of months like this one. Despite losing the bulk of last year’s production – now with two freshmen and a sophomore carrying the scoring load – the Warriors are one victory from program history.
Harrison has never won three straight sectional championships. That’s wild considering who has suited up.
“We play a lot of Friday-Saturday games to try and prepare for this,” Harrison coach Nathan Fleenor said. “We’re gaining experience as we go. Got to keep staying connected on both ends. Really proud of them, but we have to get ready for tomorrow.”
The Warriors (13-10) were the stronger team for the majority of the semifinal. A double-digit lead slipped to four by halftime due to turnovers. Harrison slowly pulled away over the final two quarters with Romyiez Calvin recorded 18 points and eight rebounds. Aiden Terry netted 11 and Amaury Harrell added seven.
Reitz (10-11) received double-digit scoring from Preston Tollvier (13), Tim Swope (12) and Grayson Dease (10). Harrison made them earn it though with tough defense in the attacking lanes. The rest of the Panthers’ lineup scored four total points.
“They seemed a little flustered,” Fleenor said. “That was because of our defensive effort. We got some key rebounds at the end to be able to pull away. Beat a really good basketball and proud of our team effort. We came together to find a way to win.’
What else was learned from the sectional semifinal round?
There is a reason this night is viewed perhaps above all others. That was no exception around Evansville. A few other thoughts heading into the championship round.
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Takeaways from IHSAA boys basketball sectional semifinals in Southwestern Indiana
Reporting by Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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