Michigan City jumped out to 10-0 lead in the first two and half minutes of the game and held off La Porte 79-64 in Saturday night’s first semifinal sectional game at Slicer Gym.

 

Kyle Kirkham hit two free throws at the 5:25 mark of the quarter stopping the MC run making it a 10-2 game. Michigan City immediately scored to boost the lead to 12-2. The Slicer finished the quarter strong closing the gap to a manageable 20-15 after one. Kirkham was just about the whole show for LP offensively, scoring 13 of the 15 Slicer points.

 

La Porte got as close as 3 points in the second period before the Wolves stretched the lead to 9 at the break 33-24. Kirkham had 15 points at the half, Jameer Nelson scored 13 for MC in the first half and Britton Franklin had 10 including three high flying dunks.

The Slicers fought back in the third quarter. Rylan Kieszkowski hit a corner 3 pointer with 4:30 left to tie the game at 41. Kyle Kirkham hit a pair of free throws to give LP their first and only lead at 43-41. Michigan City then went on an 8-0 run to make it 49-41. The third quarter ended with the Wolves on top 51-46. 

The Slicers had to play catchup in the final period but the Wolves were able to match LP basket for basket and maintained a steady 4 to 8 point lead. Michigan City’s outstanding point guard Jamie Hodges Jr scored 10 of his 18 points in the final period but his ball handling ability would not allow the Slicers to force the turnovers they needed to get back into the game. Michigan City hit 8 of 10 free throws in the final period to put the game away and were able to score against LP pressure to make the final score 79-64.

 

La Porte who relied on the three ball all season hit 6 threes in the game. Michigan City did not hit a 3 pointer. The Slicers were an outstanding 20-23 from the free throw line. The Wolves hit 14-21.

 

Kirkham finished a standout three year career with 27 points and was named the Salisbury and Spence Edward Jones Player of the Game. Kieszkowski had 15, Tommy Samuelson chipped in 8, Malik Corley 5, Ja’Meriyon Cross 4, RJ Anglin hit a huge 3 pointer in the third quarter, and Brogan Riley had 2. Michigan City was led by Franklin with 22. Hodges finished with 18 and Nelson 17 as the Wolves improved to 17-7 on the year. 

Seniors Cross, Anglin, Kirkham, Samuelson, Riley, Brennan Balka, and Dominic Thomson each played their final game. La Porte finished with an outstanding 16-8 record and finished tied for third in the DAC.  

 

Michigan City, who has not won a boys basketball sectional since the consolidation of Rogers and Elston in 1996, will face Mishawaka Monday night at 6:30 for the sectional championship. The Cavemen defeated South Bend Riley 71-57 in the late semifinal game.

 

Photos courtesy of Susan Anglin.