GREENFIELD – The Mt. Vernon Marauders have a simple goal this March.
“This team has a hunger,” coach Joe Bradburn said. “They have a focus, a goal, a vision to get farther in the state tournament than last year.”
If Mt. Vernon reaches that goal, the rest of the state will watch them at Gainbridge Fieldhouse later this month. The Marauders advanced to the semistate last season before losing by four points to eventual-state-champ Jeffersonville.
Bradburn’s Marauders took the first step toward that goal by beating Greenfield-Central, 64-50, in the Class 4A Sectional 9 championship game Saturday night. Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon’s Mr. Basketball candidate, scored the first seven points of the game and the Marauders (23-3) never trailed.
The victory moves No. 4 Mt. Vernon into the regional round where it will meet third-ranked Pike Saturday at Southport. Pike beat the Marauders, 84-81 in overtime, on Feb. 10. Mt. Vernon has won seven straight games since.
As opposed to a year ago, this sectional-title clash lacked the drama of Mt. Vernon’s double-overtime classic victory over the Cougars (12-12).
After Ertel’s opening burst, Greenfield-Central hung tough during the first half, trailing only 25-23 with two minutes left. However, the Marauders finished the second quarter with a 7-2 spurt, then scored the first 13 points of the third and the outcome wasn’t in doubt from there.
“We watched G-C (Friday, a semifinal win over Anderson) and they were in a good groove,” Bradburn said. “We told the kids every possession matters, no matter what the lead is. At halftime, we made some adjustments to get more spacing on the floor and it made a difference.”
Of course, Ertel makes the biggest difference. He shot 9-of-15 from the floor in the contest to finish with a game-high 25 points. He also had eight rebounds.
“I don’t know if there should be a conversation about Mr. Basketball,” Greenfield-Central coach Miles Wayer said of Ertel. “We threw double (teams) at him all night and our plan was to make the rest of their guys step up.
“And, they did.”
That included the likes of 6-8 junior Max Vise, senior wingman Jack Guerre and classmate Jamaree Collins.
Vise added 19 points, five rebounds and a whopping six blocked shots. Guerre had 12 points (on four 3-point baskets) and Collins added eight points.
“This team has more versatility than last year,” Vise said, comparing where he believes his team is as opposed to a year ago. “We can really space the floor, get downhill and do more things. Our offense is not so predictable.”
Greenfield-Central got 17 points from Clay Mullins and 6-6 junior Malachi Van added nine.
Mt. Vernon has now won 16 sectionals in program history — including four in the last six years.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Less drama this year as Mt. Vernon handles Greenfield-Central in sectional final
Reporting by Lewis Bagley, For IndyStar / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
