The La Porte boys basketball team pushed leads into double digits on several occasions Tuesday night only to have Goshen storm back.  The Slicers then hung on to win 66-64 on Senior Night at Slicer Gym.

 

Coach Jordan Heckard started five seniors. Normal starters Ja’Meryion Cross, Kyle Kirkham and Tommy Samuelson were joined by RJ Anglin and Brennan Balka. This group led 10-8 at the 3:30 mark when Rylan Keiszkowski and Malik Corley checked in. The added quickness and aggressive trapping defense sent the Slicers on a 9-2 end of quarter run giving LP a 19-10 edge. Kirkham had 8 points, Cross 5 and Kieszkowski 4 for La Porte.

 

Goshen cut the Slicer lead to 28-26 in the second quarter before a senior led 9-0 run to end the half. Senior Brogan Riley hit two free throws and a fast break layup then his classmate Anglin drilled a 3 pointer. Keiszkowski, a junior, finished the run with a buzzer beating layup. La Porte led 37-26 at the half. Kirkham had 10 at the break, Cross 8.

 

La Porte led 47-35 at 4:03 mark of the third but the Redhawks finished the quarter on a 10-1 run. Cross scored 7 of La Porte’s 11 third quarter points. It was LP 48 Goshen 45 after three periods. 

 

The fourth quarter was nip and tuck. Goshen never led, but tied the Slicers at 50, 55 and 57. Cross hit two free throws at the 1:22 mark and shot with 1 minute left to give La Porte a four point edge. Kirkham hit a runner and a free throw in the final minute and Samuelson an open layup on a press breaker. Goshen got a huge three pointer from Gage Worthman and a layup at the buzzer to make the final 66-64. 

 

All seven Slicer Seniors scored in the game. Cross finished with 19, Kirkham 16, Samuelson 6, Riley 4, Anglin 3, Balka 3, and Dominic Thomson 1. Kieszkowski, finished with 12 points including three breakaway dunks. 

 

Cross was named the Salisbury and Spence Edward Jones Player of the Game. 

 

La Porte improves to 15-6 on the season and have a five game winning streak. They are 3-3 in the DAC and will finish conference play Friday when Portage comes to town.

 

SLICER JV TEAM HANGS ON 49-45

 

The Slicer JV team, like their varsity counterparts, led throughout the game, often by double digits before hanging on for a 49-45 win over the Redhawks.

 

La Porte led at all of the quarter breaks 9-6, 31-19, and 43-37 before holding on for the four point win. Freshman Sawyer Tonagel stayed hot with 15 points, Kevin Konieczny 12, Javelle Broome and Eli Taylor each finished with 6. Vann Warner and Gage Raymond pitched in 5 each.

 

The JV team will host Portage Friday night with tipoff at 5:30. The varsity game will be a bit later than the usual 7:00 tip as the Hubner Hall of Fame will induct new members between games.