Third time a charm, Couriers capture regional crown again

SOUTH BEND (Sat., Feb. 28, 2009) - A 15-of-19 team performance at the free throw line proved crucial as the Couriers dropped Granger Christian 42-30 in the Indiana Christian Schools Tournament Series (ICSTS) North Regional championship game.

Granger Christian kept the game close in the first quarter and trailed the Couriers by just one (15-14) entering the second quarter. An 11-4 run in the second by the Couriers staked them to a 26-18 halftime lead. When I looked like they might pull away, the Couriers' offense could produce only 4 points in the third quarter and lead shrank to 30-26. The Knights' Scott Kane cut the score to 30-28 but the Couriers scored 6 of the next 8 points and then nailed 6 straight free throws in the final minute to ice their second straight North Regional title.

Evan Stutzman scored 18 points, all in the first half, and Dustin Yoder 10, all but 2 in the second half, to lead the Couriers (15-12). Stutzman grabbed 9 rebounds and Yoder 7 while Jordan Bontrager (shooter in above photo) blocked 3 shots. Scott Kane finished with 10 points for the Knights who finished 11-13.

In the first semifinal the Couriers upset host school Trinity 45-40. The Titans had won the two regular-season battles.

An aggressive Courier defense played a key role in Trinity's 9 first-quarter turnovers enroute to a 13-4 Courier edge at the first stop. The Titans slowly cut into the lead and twice drew within one point in the fourth quarter, once on a three-pointer by Nick Scott and once on two free throws by John Zwerneman. Jordan Bontrager sank two free throws with 6.3 seconds remaining to give the Couriers their final 5 point advantage.

Dustin Yoder tallied 13 points for the Couriers. Jordan Bontrager added 12 and Evan Stutzman 11. Tyler Eash came off the bench to dish out 5 assists.

Al Scott's Titans finished the season with a 16-9 record, one of their best in recent years. Matt Keenan scored 14 points and Nick Scott 13. Both are seniors.

Couriers fans will now follow the team to the ICSTS Final Four at the Faith Community Center at Faith Christian School in Lafayette next Saturday, March 7. Northwest Regional winner Heritage Christian of Dyer will be the Couriers' opponent in the second semifinal at 1:00 p.m. The Central and South winners meet in an 11:00 a.m. semifinal with the championship set for 7:15 p.m following the girls state final at 5:15.

See tournament results on BracketMaker.