Boys Basketball
It was the culmination of an immaculate journey for Homestead. On their arch rivals floor, Sparty had an opportunity to finish a perfect 22-0 in the regular season. But beating Carroll would mean even more than an unbeaten season and a conference championship. It would be payback for last season, when Homestead had a chance to win the SAC, but were denied by the Chargers on their home floor in a 61-53 loss. This season, they could deny Carroll a conference championship on their home floor.
“We were very motivated,” Luke Goode said. “They left a bad taste in our mouths from last year.”
Homestead got off to a nice start, jumping out to a 15-8 lead at the end of a chippy first quarter. In the second, things would even out. Carroll regained their footing and played off some momentum, giving them a 28-24 lead at halftime. But though the Spartans aren’t used to trailing, they were prepared for a dogfight.
“We knew it was going to be a tough battle tonight,” Coach Chris Johnson said. “But they were able to overcome some adversity in that first half, where it was probably the first time all year that we were behind.”
The Spartans certainly overcame the deficit, keeping the game close in the third quarter, and then just putting the game out of reach late with clutch baskets from Fletcher Loyer, who would finish with 23 points, and Luke Goode, who would finish with 20.
It was a fitting ending for probably the best team Homestead has had. It was also a great way for Luke Goode to finish his final regular season with the Spartans.
“To play four years under Coach Johnson at Homestead High School has been nothing but a blessing,” Goode said. “For the last year to end the regular season undefeated and to come beat Carroll, at Carroll, means a lot.”
While Carroll will finish their season on Saturday, it’s time for Homestead to look ahead to the postseason. They are the team to beat, ranked #1 in the state and hungry for a shot at a 4A title, something they’ve only done once back in 2015.
“The regular season is just that,” Coach Johnson said. “But now the real season starts as far as the tournament goes. Our goal is to go very far in this tournament.”
They’ll take it one step at a time as the tournament unfolds in the coming weeks.
Scores:
Homestead 55 Carroll 50
Snider 68 South Side 55
Northrop 56 Bishop Dwenger 58 (OT)
North Side 91 Bishop Luers 66
Concordia 40 Wayne 53
Updated Standings (Conference Record, Overall Record):
- Homestead (9-0, 22-0)
- Carroll (8-1, 15-5)
- Snider (6-3, 10-9)
- North Side (5-4, 10-9)
- South Side (5-4, 7-11)
- Bishop Dwenger (4-5, 9-9)
- Northrop (3-6, 5-11)
- Concordia (2-7, 7-12)
- Wayne (2-7, 6-14)
- Bishop Luers (1-8, 7-12)
Key Upcoming Games:
(2/20) Snider at Cathedral, 4:00 pm
(2/20) Bishop Dwenger at New Haven, 7:30 pm
(2/22) Central Noble at South Side, 7:45 pm
(2/23) Churubusco at North Side, 7:30 pm
(2/26) Marion at Snider, 7:30 pm
