BOYS BASKETBALL

MICHIGAN CITY | After 16 years, Hobart didn't care how long it took.

The Brickies are just elated to be back in the sectional championship for the first time since 1992, even if they had to play an extra 16 minutes to get there.

Hobart survived the loss of its best player in regulation, six last-second shots over the course of three overtimes, and a potential game-tying tip at the end of the fourth extra session to prevail 64-62.

In the second game, Stephen Albrecht's pull-up footer from the left of the lane with less than four seconds left lifted Crown Point to a dramatic 59-57 victory over Chesterton.

"Unbelievable," Brickies coach Mike Black said. "That's an NBA game we just played. I know it's a cliché, but I can't say enough about how proud I am of these boys. Basically, we played the entire second half without our leading scorer and rebounder. In a tournament game, you have to have guys step up and make plays. Every single guy in this locker room is a hero."

The last one was Tim Schultz, who played very little before coming in during the second overtime. He drilled two free throws, his only points, with 4.5 seconds left to put Hobart (14-8) up 64-61.

Hobart fouled Brad Karp at 1.9 to keep Valpo (8-14) from getting a 3-point shot. After making the first, Karp purposely back rimmed the second. Eric Jackson had a clean chance at a tap-back, but, like all of the Vikings' other period-ending chances, it didn't drop.

"We had a multitude of chances," Valpo coach Chris Benedict said. "We got good looks from a multitude of guys. We had some costly turnovers at tough times. We had a multitude of things that could've made it go our way. Unfortunately, we didn't make the plays and Hobart did."

Valpo led by four in regulation when Devon Key hit a 3 to get Hobart within one. It led by two after Jerrick Suiter split a pair of free throws. Nathan Pope's challenged shot didn't fall, but Nick Taddei in the miss to force the first OT.

"Superman (James) fouled out, Batman (me) and Robin (Pope) had to step up," Key said. "Coach always tells us we hang our hats on defense. As long as we play hard, we're never out of a game. It paid off for us."

Key had 17 points, all but three of them coming in the fourth quarter and overtimes. Brett Pizzuto, who made 3-of-4 free throws to put Hobart in front in the fourth overtime, added 14. He was the third Brickie to foul out, following James and Taddei.

Hayden Humes led Valpo with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

"In the summer, we all set a lot of goals," Key said. "We knew it would take dedication and hard work to get there, and here we are."

In the other semifinal, C.P. (15-7) withstood a Chesterton (19-3) fourth-quarter comeback from 48-39 down, led by Zack Novak, who had 27 points.

Novak scored 11 in the final period, but his 3 as time expired was partially blocked, ending a brilliant season short of its goal.