Game after game, the boys and girls of the Region’s sports teams show how to face a challenge with grace, grit, and determination. When the Portage Indians walked onto the court Friday night for the varsity boy’s conference game against the Chesterton Trojans, they knew they had their work cut out for them. The Trojans showed up with strong stats and were eager to get to the top of the conference standings. Both teams were unrelenting in their resolve to win, but ultimately, the hard work and fierce spirit of the Trojans brought them to victory with a final score of 70-39.
The Indians entered the evening at the bottom of the Duneland Basketball Conference, with four losses in conference without a win. With a 9-10 overall record for the 2018-19 varsity games, the Indians knew what it felt like to take home a win and what it felt like to be defeated by the competition.
The Trojans and Indians kept the score close throughout the first quarter. Fans rose to their feet each time a basket was made, hoping that their team could pull ahead in the game. The first quarter ended with Chesterton up by just one point with a score of 13-12.
The Trojans brought with them a strong standing in conference, with six wins and only one loss. Coming off a 51-40 win against Michigan City last week, the Trojans hoped to build on that momentum to add to their conference wins of the season. They entered the evening in second place of the Duneland Basketball Conference. Nipping at the heels of the Valparaiso Vikings at the top of their conference, the Trojans needed to fight for each point to guarantee their victory.
It was the second quarter where the Trojans really find their stride, expanding their point lead over the Indians. With the support of the cheerleaders, fans, and band members cheering at each small success, the Trojans went into halftime with a 14-point lead.
“The boys are playing great tonight,” Natalie Flowers, a freshman at Chesterton High School, said. “They’ve worked really hard to get here.”
By the end of the third quarter, the Trojans succeeded in holding their 14-point lead, heading into the final quarter with a score of 49-35. Despite being behind, the Indians kept their determination and drive up, challenging the Trojans to the very end.
“We’re down, but we’re not out,” Adam Scot said beside his family as they cheered for Portage keep up the fight. “Those boys don’t quit.”
The Trojans carried their momentum through the final quarter, lengthening their leads and taking home the victory. Marc Urban, Head Coach of Chesterton High School, smiled at his players as the last seconds wound down from the clock, sealing Chesterton’s victory over Portage.
“It was a good conference win. Anytime you win one of the conference games, it’s awesome,” Urban said. “We’re going to have a fun one with Valpo next week.”
Chesterton High School will face against the leaders of the conference, the Valparaiso Vikings, on February 15 at Valparaiso High School.