Chase Devine's 31 points not enough as Bremen boys basketball lose regional
· Yahoo Sports
HUNTINGTON ― Before tip-off of Bremen boys basketball’s first IHSAA Class 2A regional championship game since 1999 ― nine years before junior Chase Devine was even born ― the Lions’ all-time leading scorer sat courtside at Huntington North High School with a focused stare. He appeared to be gazing off into space, but Devine said he was praying with his eyes open.
Fast forward less than two hours, and Devine was crediting his faith after scoring 31 points in the biggest game of his career. A game in which Bremen lost to Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 55-51, Saturday, March 14.
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Even in defeat, Devine was grateful for his trust in a higher calling and how he believes that has guided him to lead the Lions to their best season in more than a quarter-century. Although he has another year to try and will Bremen back to semi-state for just the third time in program history, Devine was also grateful for those he shares the court with, three of whom played their final high school game Saturday.
“God gives me strength to do this,” Devine said. “He gives me strength to go out there and do this … You don’t get into this situation many times, let alone to play a close game like that. This is what you play basketball for, even though you lose it.”
How it happened
Devine and the Lions set the tone from the jump, opening the game with a sequence of two straight forced turnovers on defense and two straight buckets from Devine to lead 5-0. He scored Bremen’s first nine points of the game.
By the end of the first quarter, however, Bishop Luers led 12-11. The Knights’ lead grew to 29-20 at halftime, even with Bremen freshman Espen Simpson’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer giving the Lions life heading into the break.
That life seemed to be snatched away when Bishop Luers opened the third period with a 9-0 run thanks to three scored from beyond the arc. Bremen sixth-year head coach Matt Miller called a timeout as his squad trailed 37-20 with 5:16 left in the quarter.
Miller said there was no fiery speech from himself nor any of the players. The 60 seconds were used simply to let the Lions catch their collective breath and remind themselves of who they are.
Over the next seven minutes, Bremen went on a 19-1 run to grab its first lead since the first quarter with less than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. Naturally, it was a 3-pointer from Devine that put the Lions back in front.
He showed a rare bit of emotion once the ball went through the hoop, as did senior point guard Hartley Mitole.
“We knew we didn’t just get here by accident,” Mitole said. “We came out of that timeout ready to battle with our guys. We were fired up ― kind of angry at the opponent.”
Mitole, a transfer from Mishawaka Marian, said he gained a lot of self-confidence this season, growing just as much personally as he did on the court. He may not have scored in the regional championship, but his ball-handling and defense was key to the Lions clawing their way back into the lead after trailing by 17 when all hope seemed to be lost.
“From when I got here, I knew it was going to be a great group of guys,” Mitole said. “It’s iconic. I enjoyed it. It’s not something that happens often, but I’m glad I was a part of it and glad I was contributing.”
Knights senior Ayle Taylor immediately responded with a layup to give Bishop Luers its lead back before Bremen junior Riley Tener hit a 3-pointer to swing the advantage back in the Lions’ favor. Next was a stop and then a pull-up jumper from Devine that led to a 3-point play, now giving Bremen a 45-41 lead with 4:31 left to play.
Bishop Luers roared back with a 7-0 run to put the Knights back on top, but a 3-pointer from Devine not only put him at 31 points but it tied the game at 48 apiece. That proved to be the true last gasp for the Lions, who fell prone to a 7-3 run afterward and lost the game.
“The guys answered the bell in tough moments all year,” Miller said. “It’s been a pleasure to coach these guys. It’s my honor. They’re a blessing in my life.”
While Miller said watching Devine on a daily basis has started to become more normal, there are moments in which he still gets blown away. Saturday was one of those moments. Miller called Devine one of Indiana’s best players, urging for an IBCA Underclass All-State selection.
Taylor led the Knights (15-11) with 19 points, while fellow senior Carmani Davis joined him in double figures with 12, as did junior Tamarje English with 13. No one but Devine reached double figures for Bremen.
The Lions finish their season at 22-5, the most wins in a single season in program history. Still, Miller was kicking himself for not hoisting the regional title trophy.
“I wasn’t awesome this year about being in the moment. I know we can maybe use this as a springboard for another really special year next year ― I know that,” Miller said. “We have a talented team. I didn’t want to be the bottle neck that kept us from getting somewhere. There were moments where I should have just stepped back and savored a little more than I did.”
Bremen began the season 16-0 for just the second time in program history, won its first Bi-County Tournament since 2008, won the Indiana Northern State Conference (INSC) crown, won its first sectional title in 27 years and came just five points short of reaching the semi-state stage for the first time in just as long. Devine, who surpassed 1,000 points before becoming the top scorer in program history shortly thereafter, understands the Lions have very little to hang their heads about.
“We did a lot for the school; broke a lot of records, won a lot of trophies,” Devine said. “Probably a great season in a lot of people’s eyes and definitely in our eyes.”
Triton wins in dramatic fashion
With six seconds left in the fourth quarter and the IHSAA Class 1A regional championship game between Marquette Catholic and Triton tied at 51 apiece, Trojans senior Landon Patrick swiped a steal before senior Gage Riffle hit a buzzer-beating layup on the other end of the floor that clinched Triton its second regional crown in a row.
It is the Trojans’ eighth regional title in program history. Sophomore Brady Wood led the way with 18 points while senior Julian Swanson added 13.
The Blazers’ leading scorer was junior Josiah Mays, who led all scorers with 19 points. Senior Nate Bakota also had 13. A Marquette Catholic (19-8) win would have been its second regional title in the last three years and sixth ever.
The Blazers beat previously undefeated No. 1 Kouts (25-1) in last week’s sectional title game to reach the regional stage.
Triton (23-4) looks to punch its ticket to the state finals for the first time since 2013 and the fifth time in program history next Saturday. The Trojans will have to win two more games, against opponents yet to be determined, to do so.
Kyle Smedley is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email at [email protected] or follow him on X @KyleMSmedley.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Bremen's comeback falls short vs Bishop Luers in boys basketball regional