With a chance to play in the sectional championship game on the line, and a packed Portage High School gymnasium, the Trojans arrived ready for battle, beating Michigan City 36-28. The teams matched earlier in the season, so both coaches arrived familiar with each others style and most importantly, playcalling.
After a chippy and defensively focused first quarter, the Trojans lead just 12-6.
The second quarter was all Michigan City -- executing play after play, forcing several turnovers which lead to easy fast break opportunities for the Wolves. While their defense only allowed three points the entire quarter. Barely trailing the Trojans at the half 15-13.
The Trojans needed someone to step up before the end of the second half and Travis Grayson was that someone. Ultimately scoring 12 points, helping ignite the Trojans in the second half.
“The shots were just falling for me tonight,” said Grayson. “I loved getting my teammates involved and I had a lot of fun.”
Once the third quarter started, Chesterton switched it up on the Wolves, running half court traps successfully causing multiple turnovers shifting momentum back in their favor. And with Grayson leading the offense, the Trojans seemed to smell blood and went in for the kill.
“We had a great gameplan,” said Chesterton coach John Boyd. “We switched defenses on them and gave them several looks that we hadn’t earlier in the season.”
Michigan City’s discipline, or lack thereof, put the Trojans on the line time and time again. As Chesterton slowly extended their lead throughout the second half, the final few seconds of the fourth quarter ran out and rings of the Trojan cheer block chanted “We want Valpo!, We want Valpo!” in anticipation of the sectional championship game.
They have gotten their wish and will square off tomorrow night for a chance to write their names in Indiana Basketball history.